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Paul C and accessibility
- 18 Oct 06, 04:31 PM
When it comes to accessibility, the two questions I get asked the most are: "How do blind people use computers anyway?" and, "How did you get into accessibility?" Swiftly glossing over the first question, the answer to the second one is that there are people in my life who are effected by sight loss. And whilst my grandfather is more bothered by the small print of the racing form in his newspaper, I've got friends who are frustrated by the internet on a daily basis.
The internet should have been the great enabler - making a level playing field for all. That was what wanted for it anyway. But it hasn't really panned out that way so far.
The latest developments - be they applications online, Video-on-Demand, or user generated content websites - present similar dangers to when the net originally took off. In the headlong rush to launch something before someone else does, accessibility can be overlooked.
Unlike in the early days of the web, however, plenty of countries around the world now have disability legislation in place that could make a difference. And the accessibility community is that much more mature as well.
Looking at things optimistically, whilst the evolving internet is now throwing up new challenges, there are also more people out there better equipped to meet them.
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I was discussing this very point with some friends recently. Obviously most people agree that the core elements of any website should be accessible, but it becomes a lot more difficult when it comes to the 'bonus add-ons' to a website e.g. games, virtual tours. The big question is - Do we stop websites from being innovative and cutting edge unless they can make all elements accessible to all?
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Why is it assumed, as above, that cutting edge need be inaccessible?
And why wouldn't you want to develop a website for as many people as possible? The business case alone has to be persuasive, here?
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Gazza, I didn't mean to imply that cutting edge design couldn't be accessible. However things such as games and virtual tours can create difficulties for designers and the debate is whether these elements should be omitted or not, unless they can be made accessible.
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Yes, I agree Gazz that these elements of a site can cause problems for designers but accessibility needs to be thought about at planning stage and in many cases it is an after thought: that is to say that a game or virtual tour is created and then an alternative has to be created. There is no need for elements to be omitted, they just need to be made accessible from the outset.
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