Accessibility
What is Accessibility
Accessibility means ensuring that your website can be used by people
of all abilities and disabilities.
There are many reasons why people can't use websites effectively and these range from
colour blindness to motor or mobility impairment. In fact, about 14% of the UK population
has some form of disability that could make using your website a problem for them.
Why should your website be accessible?
Well there's the law for a start in the form of The Disability Discrimination Act, but
making your site accessible is much more important than just a legal obligation.
If 14% of the population has some sort of disbality then that's a lot of
people locked out of your web site if you don't make it accessible. And if you're thinking of
selling online then some estimates put the buying power of that 20% at over £100 billion.
Here at Osmodus we create accessible sites as standard - call us on 01462 429 730 to find out more.
You can read more about Accessibility at the Web Accessibility Initiative
Is Creating an Accessible Websites Expensive
This is the first myth that needs to be dispelled. Here at Osmodus we create accessible websites
because we always construct our sites using web standards. That way you get a high quality site
built to international standards which is also accessible. It doesn't cost a penny more and you get
a site whose future is guaranteed.
An Accessible Site Can't be Attractive
Another myth! When designing websites you're only limited by your imagination - a site can look stunning
and be accessible.
Do Blind People use the Internet?
On the whole, blind people use the internet more than sighted people. And when it comes to shopping,
blind people find shopping via the web much easier than on the high street. Ecommerce companies
should take note!
Google, the "Blind Billionaire!"
The search engine, Google, reads your site in a very similar way that a blind vistor does. If
you make your site accessible to those with disabilities you are also making it accessible to search
engines - a win win situation!
Some Facts and Figures
The following may illustrate why your website should be accessible:
- There are 8.6 million registered disabled people in the UK - that's 14% of the population.
- One in 12 men and one in 200 women have some form of colour blindness - that's 9% of the population.
- Two million people have a sight problem - 4% of the population.
- 12 million people are aged 60 or over - 21% of the population.
That's 48% of the UK population that could have a problem accessing your site if it's not accessible.
Here at Osmodus we create accessible sites as standard - call us on 01462 429 730 to find out more.
You can read more about Accessibility at the Web Accessibility Initiative