Making Your Webpage Content Accessible
Why accessibility is important on webpages
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international community that develops standards for use of the web.
One key issue that concerns the W3C is accessibility. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines access to information and communication technologies as a basic human right; this includes the internet.
Webpages should work for all people, including those with a range of hearing, movement, sight and cognitive abilities, as well as people using different devices and technologies.
Some situations where accessible content is important:
- People with different auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, speech or visual abilities
- People using mobile phones, smart watches, smart TVs and other devices with various screen sizes and input modes
- People with changing abilities due to aging
- People with temporary disabilities, like a broken arm or lost glasses
- People with situational limitations, like bright sunlight or an environment where they can't listen to audio
- People with slow internet, limited internet access or older technology
Additional Resources
Yale University has some excellent resources on optimizing webpage usability and accessibility. Here are a few key articles: