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Wednesday, October 15, 2003

Attitudes to Web Accessibility

logoOver at the usabilitynews.com web site, there's a revealing report entitled "Attitudes to Web Accessibility" on the industry's views and understanding of the issue of Accessibility and usability in web design. The survey was carried out by John Knight and Marie Jefsioutine of User-Lab. It makes really interesting reading and should be made compulsory for everyone involved in the web, be they designers, or someone commissioning web development or design work.
Of a total of 117 respondents to the survey carried out by the organisation, a disturbing majority (56%) agreed 'there is a conflict between usability and accessibility'. Other key issues sighted as barriers to the greater 'compliance' of web sites and accessibility were:
  • awareness
  • responsibility
  • motivation
  • technology
  • understanding
  • communications
We've tried to demonstrate the fact that web sites can be usable, and accessible, and look good too, our own site is an example of that and while it may not be perfect its a hell of a lot better than some supposedly 'well designed' ones we've seen.
It is possible, and the law says its a must!
Related Links
Attitudes to Web Accessibility
The EC's Diffuse project (www.diffuse.org)
British HCI Group
Guidelines for UK Government websites
W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
ecommnet's web accessibility statement
ecommnet news item Disability Discrimination Act
Wakefiled College

posted by Robert Campbell 9:56 PM


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