Web Accessibility
Web accessibility is a general practice of developing Websites accessible
to people that use a wide range of software & devices and not just standard Web
browsers. This is especially important for people with disabilities such as
visual impairment. In order to access the Web, some users require special
software or devices (e.g. screen readers) in addition to a standard web browser,
or a specially designed web browsers. In our opinion, designing for
accessibility is also a sub-category of good design for usability and goes
beyond just designing for people with physical or cognitive disabilities.
Here at Bespoke
Internet Solutions we believe that accessibility is about making your site
available to the widest possible audience regardless of what browser or device
your visitors use, disability or connection speed they may have.
Developing websites with accessibility in mind can also improve website's
usability . Good design can also
deliver easier access for automated software programs that read website content,
such as search engines.
One important aspect of accessibility is to let people access content in
their preferred way. This can also benefit all users not just those with
disabilities: for example, some users may wish to adjust text sizes because they
are using a very small display on a mobile phone, or may need to use keystrokes
to control their computer because they do not have a mouse or prefer not to use
one.
Designing sites in accordance with Web accessibility principles is necessary in order to enable access to all users. If your website is less usable or built incorrectly, you will lose website visitors and may even be breaking the law!
The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 says it’s unlawful to exclude disabled people from the web, while companies have proved that making a website easier for a disabled person to use would improve the take up of products by as much as 300%.
In April 2009, the British Standards Institution will publish the first British Standard on web accessibility, but why is a British Standard necessary? There are in excess 10m disabled people in the UK with an annual spending power estimated to be around £80bn per annum.
Research by the Disability Rights Commission in 2004 found that a great amount of goodwill exists among web designers towards disabled people, yet less than 20% of UK websites actually meet the basic criteria for accessible design.
What are the benefits of an accessible website
Implementing the guidelines laid out by the W3C into your website means:
- An increase in the amount of visitors who can use your website.
- Your website will last longer because more devices such as web browsers, mobile phones etc start to comply with the standards.
- Your website should be easier to read by search engines.
- Your website will be viewable on other Internet ready devices.
- Most importantly, if your website adheres to the WAI (website accessibility initiative) you will reach more customers
The WAI have said that "at least 10% of the population in most countries have disabilities" Why should your website not be seen by less capable web users? To make your website as 'usable' as possible means that you can maximise your website reach.