- From: B.K. DeLong <bkdelong@naw.org>
- Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 14:37:17 -0500
- To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
I made a less pationate and more direct, technical approach to his editorial. I e-mailed it directly to him and his editors: William, I wanted to repond to your column from yesterday about how Randy Tamez needs to "give up" with his ADA complaint regarding Web sites. Since you're not a professional Web developer, you may not realize that there are hundreds of people across the country working to make it so the Web is more accessible for people with disabilities like Randy. Because the Web is graphically-oriented and many Web developers wish to continue designing big, flashy sites....we've all been saying the only way we'd ever get legislation regarding the accessibility of Web sites would be if someone were to file an ADA complaint. People with disabilities have just as much a right to view information as those who are fine. The best way to make a Web site accessible is NOT to make a seperate text page. This requires extra work on behalf of the developer both to create and maintain. The Web Accessibility Initiative of the Web Consotrium, (W3C), has developed a set of page authoring guidelines to teach Web developers how to make sites more accessible without sacrificing their beautiful designs and powerful graphics. Unfortunatly, because certain people perpetuate the myth that text is the only way this can be accomplished, Web developers are ignoring the topic of accessibility. You can read more about Web accessibility at http://www.w3.org/WAI -- B.K. DeLong 360 Huntington Ave. Director Suite 140CSC-305 New England Chapter Boston, MA 02115 World Organization (617) 247-3753 of Webmasters http://www.world-webmasters.org bkdelong@naw.org
Received on Tuesday, 17 November 1998 14:38:26 UTC