Web Accessibility
This week I had the opportunity to read through an Introduction to Web Accessibility and watch a video featured on its site. In so doing I quickly realized how unaware I had been in regard to others peoples experience with the internet and a subsequent need to design content for the web with all kinds of people in mind.
I find it hard to argue with the introductory statement regarding the significance of the internet in that “no other single invention has been more revolutionary since Gutenberg’s printing press in the 1400s.” With this as a context it raised my empathy for the frustration some must feel to have such a powerful tool available but inaccessible due (in large part) to the lack of awareness and effort on the part of those designing and producing web content.
There were 3 main reasons stated for designing with accessibility in mind:
1) It’s the right thing to do (moral / ethical)
2) It’s the smart thing to do (economic reasons / compatible w/ emerging technology)
3) It’s the law (American Disabilities Act, etc)
I feel I’m at least now heading in the right direction, starting with my own increased awareness of accessibility as in important web issue.
