Wait… WHAT is accessibility?
What is accessibility? Specifically, what is web accessibility?
According to web accessibility initiative or http://www.w3.org, “Web accessibility means that websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them.” The site then describes, that by making web pages accessible, it helps people perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the web as well as contribute to it, and do so better! Additionally, accessibility considers all disabilities such as auditory, visual, cognitive, neurological, physical and speech!
https://www.w3.org/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-intro/
So, basically what I have gathered is how important web accessibility really is. It isn’t even just important for people with disabilities but EVERYONE! Like David Berman said in his video “Web accessibility Matters: Why should we care” we pretty much alllll benefit from the things created for the benefit of those with disabilities. Specifically, his example of texting and how it was developed for people who are deaf! I mean, come on, who doesn’t love texting? Sooo, if we all really benefit from the innovations that come from helping those with disabilities, it only makes sense to do the same thing for the web!
So really…WHY is accessibility so important?
Think back to a time when you felt left out, like everyone else knew what was going on but you didn’t or everyone else was at some party, or were playing some game on the playground (yup, think way back), but you weren’t. You were all alone, out of the loop, excluded!
Okay, now think about everyone who may have a disability or maybe even more than one. Well, according to worldbank.org, “One billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, experience some form of disability and One-fifth of the estimated global total, or between 110 million and 190 million people, experience significant disabilities. Now think about how many people (ONE BILLION) who feel left out, and excluded, because of the internet not being accessible.
And if we want to be a little selfish, think about how many people (ONE BILLION) who may not be able to read our blogs because they aren’t accessible!
Okay, so how are we going to do this?
Let’s make our blogs accessible! Here are some links below that will help us to make user friendly blogs accessible to everyone!
Blogging by Popi 