Website accessibility

I just read an article on the BBC noting that most websites (97%) do not comply with accessibility guidelines for the disabled. This was a survey of over 20 countries and the article notes that here in the UK only 3 websites achieved the minimum required standards. This is a truly scary statistic and a reflection of our ignorance when it comes to understanding disability. The main issues regarding web accessibility are:

• The provision of adequate text description to accompany graphics (93% failed);
• Over reliance on java script for functionality. Java script is particularly hard to handle if you are visually impaired and using speech software (73% of all websites surveyed relied on some form of java script);
• Poor color contrast. Again this applies to the visually impaired population - individuals with are colour blind. It is important not only to differentiate between colours but also between tones (78% of sites surveyed had poor colour contrast);
• Programing code used was below standard. Apparently 98% of sites were substandard. I have to admit I know very little about this and cannot comment on it;
• Inability to alter or resize the page;
• 89% of the sites were hard to navigate;
• Excessive use of pop-up windows leading to problems with screen magnification software.

Click here to go to the article.