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Delphi Graphics ::: Internet Services
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Designing For Website Accessibility in Cornwall
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Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can use the Web. More specifically, website accessibility means that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Internet.
In the UK, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) does not refer explicitly to website accessibility, but makes it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities. The DDA applies to anyone providing a service; public, private and voluntary sectors. The Code of Practice: Rights of Access - Goods, Facilities, Services and Premises document published by the government's Disability Rights Commission to accompany the Act does refer explicitly to websites as one of the "services to the public" which should be considered covered by the Act.
W3.org (The World Wide Web Standards Consortium) makes a compelling business case highlighting the advantages of maintaining high standards of accessibility to quote from their website:
Examples of different motivations that organizations have for adopting accessibility and how those can be integrated into a customized business case are provided below:
A corporation might emphasize:
financial gains and cost savings from increased web use due to increased potential market share, search engine optimization (SEO), and increased usability
reducing risk of legal action, high legal expenses, and negative image
public relations benefits of demonstrating corporate social responsibility (CSR)
benefits of an inclusive workplace that supports employees with disabilities
increased productivity from supporting and retaining older employees and their experience
A government ministry or agency might emphasize:
laws and policies that require public services are available to all, such as anti-discrimination legislation or information and communications technology (ICT) policy
demonstration of social responsibility and provision of information and services that are accessible to all citizens
savings from improved server performance and decreased site maintenance
benefits from enabling people with disabilities and older users to interact with them online instead of more costly ways
An educational institution might emphasize:
number of students, faculty, or staff with disabilities in educational settings as a social responsibility consideration
benefits of Web accessibility to students with different learning styles, older computer equipment, or low bandwidth Internet connections
benefits to older employees who may be experiencing age-related impairments, an increasing percentage of employees as the workforce ages
legal or policy requirements
A non-governmental (non-profit) organization (NGO) might emphasize:
social responsibility factors, such as the organization's commitment to human rights, including the right to information
organization's interest in ensuring that its materials are available to all of its potential audiences
supporting older people with age-related impairments who may be donors
A small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) relying on e-Commerce might emphasize:
positive impact on search engine optimization (SEO) from accessibility improvements
importance of an increasing market among people with disabilities and older people who may significantly benefit from accessible online shopping
increased general usability and trustworthiness of online shopping interfaces from improved accessibility
reduced risk of legal action and negative publicity from not complying with anti-discrimination legislation
Delphi has many years experience building accessible websites that conform as closely as possible to the guidelines published by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).
If you would like more information on how you could make your present website more accessible or please dont hesitate to get in touch.
Our full list of internet and website design services
(Please feel free to let us know if we have missed anything out!)
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