Site Accessibility (was [thelist] FWD: Internet World - The Dark Side Of Regulation)

> The problem is in our individual use of features. We are all guilty of
> hearing the siren song of new stuff and techniques, extending and
> incorporating them into the next site we build. From images to applets, we
> try them, use them, change them, improve them and my case, break a lot of
> them.
>
> You, your employer, or clients will have to determine how many people can
> see what you do.

EXCELLENT point.  What it all really boils down to is common denominator.
If the majority design to standards, then the screen reader/assistive
devices developers can make adaptive hardware and software that reads
standards, and your pages can be accessible.  Take the short cuts, add the
bells and whistles, and do what you want to in your designs--just know what
percentage of your audience you're excluding with what.

DON'T incorporate good design principles into your sites, and that includes
those which apply to accessibility, and be aware of what the consequences
may be.

Accessibility guidelines have been in effect, and largely ignored, since way
before the inception of the internet.  Churches are still largely exempt
from most accessibility regs, but most understand why accessibility is a
"good thing".  Most churches don't want any member of their congregations to
feel excluded.

Many churches maintain their architectural barriers until the barriers are
pointed out, either by a member of the congregation or by someone who has
been excluded.  Unfortunately, although web sites sometimes hear about their
weaknesses from folks who try to use them, more often, the frustrated
potential user just surfs on to one of the thousand of other pages on the
net.   The responsible web professional KNOWS where the barriers are on his
site and proactively works to ensure surfers in the site's potential
audience-bracket are not frustrated or left out.

BTW--Do you think the various associations for the blind didn't advocate for
accessibility before suing AOL?  Of course they did, but AOL felt it was
okay to exclude that potential segment of their user population.  The law
suit is the end result of AOL making this decision, and the blind folks not
being happy with it.  Something to remember in case you get numerous
accessibility complaints about one of your sites.

Laurel Nevans-Palmer
mailto:laurel@weblaurels.com