HTML and CSS Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 7
Accessibility
Anitra Pavka
7.0 Introduction
“Disability” is a broad term. Major categories of disabilities that affect use of the Web
include visual, hearing, cognitive, speech (especially on mobile devices), and motor
disabilities. A single category of disability may manifest in many forms. For example,
visual disability
includes, but is not limited to, red-green color blindness.
About 7 to 10% of all men have trouble differentiating between red and
green colors.
People may have varying degrees of disability and even multiple disabilities. Like a
broken wrist or an amputation, disabilities can be temporary or permanent. And
permanent disabilities may be present from birth or start later in life.
In short, anyone can become disabled.
The Purpose of Accessibility
Web accessibility is about removing barriers that prevent people from using the Web.
In fact, one could say accessibility is at the heart of the Web in that its goal is to break
down barriers of communication.
According to the World Wide Web Consortium (see
http://www.w3.org/standards/web
The Web is fundamentally designed to work for all people, whatever their hardware,
software, language, culture, location, or physical or mental ability. When the Web meets
this goal, it is accessible to people with a diverse range of hearing, movement, sight, and
cognitive ability.
