With more and more countries around the world passing laws about blind and disabled access to the Internet (including the Disability Discrimination Act in the UK), web accessibility has been thrown into the spotlight of the online community. This article attempt to put a stop to the misinformation that has been thrown around and tell you the truth behind web accessibility.
1. Creating a text-only equivalent is sufficient
Creating a separate text-only equivalent can lead to a number of problems:
- A text-only version is not necessarily accessible
- Two versions of the same website represents a huge time and money investment for you
- Your primary site may not be accessible to many users
- An 'extra' accessible website for blind and disabled users can be one more way to make them feel marginalised from mainstream society
Web accessibility isn't just about blind and disabled Internet users being able to use your site - it's about everyone being able to access it successfully. It really doesn't have to take very much time or money to make your website accessible.
2. It's complicated and expensive to make my website accessible
To develop an accessible website from scratch will cost virtually the same as to develop a website that isn't accessible. A very large, highly inaccessible website may take a bit more time and money to fix up, although the basic layout and design usually need not change.
Web accessibility is not complicated and anyone with basic web design skills can easily implement it.
3. Accessible and attractive web design can't go together
Many advocates of web accessibility tend to have rather dull, unattractive websites. This is unfortunate, as web accessibility need not affect the design of the website in any way whatsoever. To fully dispel this myth, have a look at the CSS Zen Garden ( http://www.csszengarden.com ) - a beautiful website offering 100% accessibility.
4. Accessible websites stifle creativity
Web accessibility actually places very few restrictions on website design. In fact, as with regular websites, you're only really limited by your imagination when creating accessible websites. Have a look at the CSS Zen Garden ( http://www.csszengarden.com ) to see for yourself that accessibility doesn't have to affect creativity in any way.
5. My site visitors don't have a problem accessing my website
Not necessarily. See Benefits of an accessible website - part 1 ( http://www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources/web-accessibility/benefits-of-accessible-websit es-1.shtml ) to see just how many Internet users you may be excluding from your site. You can be sure that with 35 million websites to choose from it's unlikely that a site visitor prevented from accessing your website is going to waste his time contacting you to ask you to fix the problem.
6. Web accessibility places restrictions on the web page design
Not at all. As with regular websites, you're only limited by your imagination when creating accessible websites. Text size can be as large or as small you like (provided it's resizable), you can use any colour scheme you like (provided colour isn't the only way you differentiate information) and you can use as many images as you like (provided an alternative description is provided).
These accessibility provisos mostly happen behind the scenes and don't affect the presentation of the website.
7. Blind and disabled people don't use the Internet
On the contrary, blind and disabled people benefit from the Internet perhaps more than anyone else.
For example, visually impaired people have to phone up a supermarket when they want to go shopping to inform them of their arrival. When they get there, a store assistant will accompany them around the store. Through accessible websites blind people can now shop at home, and in their own time.
Conclusion
Web accessibility isn't brain science. It's not just about disabled users being able to access your website - it's about everyone being able to access your website, including people using handheld devices, WebTV and in-car browsers. Any web developer with basic HTML and CSS design knowledge, and a bit of time on their hands, can easily learn and implement web accessibility.
Trenton Moss is crazy about web accessibility and usability - so crazy that he went and started his own web accessibility and usability consultancy ( Webcredible - http://www.webcredible.co.uk ) to help make the Internet a better place for everyone.
cleaning service near Bannockburn ..What do you mean, you don't have a website for... Read More
One of the things that Internet excels is disseminating information... Read More
The "robots" meta tag, when used properly, will tell the... Read More
Do you make your website just to entertain yourself or... Read More
There are several reverse bid freelance sites out there. Beyond... Read More
Directory Generator, a product from Armand Morin and Marc Quarles,... Read More
I recently helped my mom to launch a website (www.mom2me.com)... Read More
cPanel is a control panel for your website and allows... Read More
In the big, wide online world there are millions of... Read More
When you publish a content site there are times when... Read More
My life's greatest passion is a safari hobby. And what... Read More
Your web site will be your window to the world.... Read More
Is your website Really useful?I had a 'rep' in yesterday... Read More
What to do if you are an artist after you... Read More
An interesting eCommerce success factor that isn't precisely overlooked, but... Read More
Absolutely everything stems from the purpose of your website -... Read More
So your prospect, Mary, is sitting at the computer reading... Read More
The evolution of web development parallels the model of technology... Read More
You have seen those web pages where they have the... Read More
After years of working with entrepreneurs who developed their first... Read More
If you are like me you have wanted to build... Read More
Affiliate programs are a great way to earn an income... Read More
Losing website sales and traffic is sometimes simply a case... Read More
URL rewriting are major needs for your sites that produce... Read More
Recently, a friend asked "What's the deal with those DIY... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Mundelein ..The Disability Discrimination Act states that service providers must not... Read More
So you have decided that you want to do freelance... Read More
When you consider the billions of individuals and companies on... Read More
A common dilemma most small and medium businesses face when... Read More
Directory Generator, a product from Armand Morin and Marc Quarles,... Read More
The DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) states that service providers must... Read More
Many websites I come across don't have a single link... Read More
Just starting out, you can start with a simple informational... Read More
With search engines putting a damper on direct reciprocal links,... Read More
So your prospect, Mary, is sitting at the computer reading... Read More
Yahoo has long offered email, an online calendar, notes, bookmarks,... Read More
What is the most important part of your online business?Many... Read More
1. Splash pagesMost of the time splash pages are uncalled... Read More
Is your website Really useful?I had a 'rep' in yesterday... Read More
Many of site owners still don't realize all advantages of... Read More
When I set up my website I felt paypal was... Read More
Although CSS layouts have been around for years, they haven't... Read More
Do you make your website just to entertain yourself or... Read More
Globalize Your WebsiteThe Internet has unlocked a wide array of... Read More
Making money with your web site is the dream and... Read More
So your traffic is going through the roof yeah? It's... Read More
Absolutely everything stems from the purpose of your website -... Read More
I talk with so many people who have small businesses... Read More
This simple question can take on several different forms, but... Read More
Succeeding with an eCommerce website is a dream for many... Read More
Web Development |