- From: Christopher R. Maden <crism@exemplary.net>
- Date: Sat, 16 Oct 1999 17:14:13 -0700
- To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
[Scott Luebking] >San Francisco State University has filed or is filing a suit claiming that >the ADA is unconsitutional. My concern is that universities will >start putting web page accessibility on hold until the case >is finally decided. Personally, I think this is a good thing, but I'm well aware that I'm in the substantial minority on this list. But it emphasizes something I've been saying for a while: government enforcement of Web accessibility will not work. Kynn pointed out a number of selfish reasons to adopt accessibility guidelines; these will convince people to help themselves. If they're told to do something "or else", they'll grumble, they'll protest, they'll delay, and when finally held to it, they'll find creative ways to obey the letter and violate the spirit. This appeal *shouldn't* have made a difference to Web accessibility; because of the strategies adopted by activists thus far, it has. If something's an inherent good (as I believe Web accessibility is), it shouldn't matter whether the government is an ally, neutral, or an active enemy. Accessibility makes sense for the Web publisher; any other approach is risky at best and doomed at worst. -Chris -- Christopher R. Maden, Solutions Architect Exemplary Technologies One Embarcadero Center, Ste. 2405 San Francisco, CA 94111
Received on Saturday, 16 October 1999 20:15:47 UTC