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Web Accessibility
• Web Accessibility - Impairments
• Web Accessibility - Components
What is web accessibility?
Why do we need it?
• Web Accessibility allows users that are disadvantaged to access content which are relevant to them.
• A WAI-complaint site should allow people with disabilities the ability to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web.
• WAI – Web Accessibility Initiative. A W3C initiative.
Issues that WAI seeks to address:
– Visual impairment
– Cognitive / Intellectual impairment
– Mobility / motor impairment
– Auditory impairment
– Epileptic impairment
• Visual Impairment
– Blindness
– Low level visibility
– Colour blindness
– Poor eyesight
• Cognitive / Intellectual Impairment:
– Mental impairments
– (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) ADHD
– Learning disabilities
• Mobility / Motor impairment
– Loss of limbs
– Lack of muscle control
– Tremors
– Any form of muscle control impairment
• Auditory Impairment
– Loss of hearing
– Hearing impairments, reduced volumes
– “Adjusted” hearing, includes ringing or other persistent sounds
• Epileptic Impairment
– Seizures, usually caused by strobe or flashing light effects.
• To create a web site that is accessible to disabled people, these are the essential components based on WAI guidelines
• WAI is a guideline to promote the widespread implementation of accessibility tools in the Web.
• The rationale is that the more a tool gets implemented, the more widespread the technology will get.
Web Accessibility - Components
• Web accessibility tools can be classified into two categories:
– Enabling
– Assistive
• Enabling tools help those who cannot otherwise experience content
• Assistive technologies enhances content or makes them easier to digest for the users.
Group Discussion
• How would a web developer implement web accessibility tools in a media rich website? Is it possible?
Summary
• Web accessibility provides a service to users who would find valuable information unattainable due to the way it is presented.
• Web accessibility contributes to the commercial success of a particular site as it allows a wider access base