What is Accessible Web Design?
Accessible web design refers to the practice of designing web pages so that everyone, regardless of their location, experience or type of computer technology used, can achieve navigation and readability. Accessible web design is for all people not just those with disabilities.
"The power of the web is in it's universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect"Tim Berners-Lee inventor of the Worldwide Web.
Why worry about a handful of blind people?
It is a mistaken belief to think that this issue only affects blind and vision impaired people. People with all forms of disability are also affected. Accessibility also affects people using older and less common browsers, different platforms, as well as new technologies.
Making the web work for everyone
Developing a website involves a large outlay of time, effort and resources. The priority for designers and managers is to create the most effective websites possible with the aim of generating more business and return customers.
Using the immense resource of tools, and media available on the web also brings risks. By not applying best practice accessibility guidelines to constructing websites, designers and business owners run the risk of excluding the people they want to attract.
Accessibility Part 2: Ethics .
Accessibility Part 3: Legal Information .
Accessibility Part 4: Benefits to Business