Introduction to Website Accessibility
Basics, standards and validators
Conclusion

Accessibility. What is it and why is it important? An accessible website is one that is reasonably easy for everyone to make use of. When developers create a website assumptions are made about the user and how that person interacts with the computer. However, it should be remembered that the user experience is different for everyone and that the person can control many aspects. This is important to those who have a disability, such as poor vision, colour blindness, deafness or those who have a physical disability. Many of these people make use of the Internet on a regular basis and require alternative methods of accessing information. Being aware of this and addressing the issue will increase the potential for people to view your website and the impact your site will have.

A couple comments, there are many issues involved and it may not be possible to come up with a perfect solution, but there are guidelines available to web developers to help with creating a web accessible site. In addition to helping those that are not able to access the pages due to disabilities, the guidelines can also be beneficial to those who are accessing the Internet without the latest multimedia technology, such as those using older computers.

David Voth
http://www.cheamweb.com/Davi... (CWM member macfoto) enjoys web design and photography. His work includes Cheamweb: a site featuring photography from western Canada.