- From: SHARPE, Ian <Ian.SHARPE@cambridge.sema.slb.com>
- Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002 15:03:23 -0000
- To: "WAI (E-mail)" <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
Simon, couldn't agree more with your sentiment but sadly am not so confident that legislation will ensure sites are made accessible. As far as I'm aware only 508 in the US ensure sites/software purchased by US government be accessible. (That's my understanding anyway, maybe I'm wrong?) Even this limited legislation isn't even true in the UK. It should be!! And the rest!! The other big problem we have is simply awareness of accissiblity issues. Sadly most developers, whether working for small software/web design companies or the large IT corporates are even aware of accessibility issues. Even Microsoft who I would give credit for championing our accessibility cause and at least try to make all there own products accessible. When it comes to doing work for others however the story is different!! I am fortunately in a position to influence projects I am involved with to strive for accessibility and can speak from experience that the people I've worked with and many more in the company no doubt, are not even aware of the issue!! How we promote or get our message across is perhaps something we need to look at. I don't believe that much effort need to be spent to improve accessibility (and indeed could even reduce development time/costs) and people are willing to adopt this approach. But only when they know it is actually a problem!! Didn't mean to sound so negative but I genuinely believe it is the case. But als completely agree with everything you say Simon!! Love the quote!! And to support my own personal belief I would also add Henry Ford's famous quote: "There are lies, more lies and statistics" but you'll all know that one!! Cheers Ian -----Original Message----- From: Simon White [mailto:simon.white@jkd.co.uk] Sent: 11 January 2002 14:28 To: Ken Reader; Pat Byrne; w3c-wai-ig@w3.org Subject: RE: statistics - for differences between accessible and non-accessible sites? Dear All, Although numbers may help to make a good business case, I would hope that the legislative efforts of all governments were enough to make anyone think twice about building an inaccessible website. However, perhaps it is enough to think that approximately 15% of the UK population is, in some way or another, disabled. Not only that, let us also factor in the almost 50% of the population that does not own a PC of its own (or similar device in which to access the Internet) and therefore has to rely on slow connections at public libraries, etc. Then take the spending power of this group (currently estimated at £40 billion in the UK alone)... Moreover, making a website accessible to all will surely bring in more revenue than not doing so. There is a famous quote by Vic Reeves (yes, the comedian) who said that 88% of all statistics are made up on the spot. Let us not consider statistics, but consider that accessibility should be one of the first things considered when building a website, and in many cases is breaking the law to not do so in many countries around the world. In turn, there are many other more valid business cases than: How many extra visitors will we get? So, to answer the original question: 20% of £1 (or $) is still 20% more revenue, and receiving 11 hits when you only had ten is 10% more than you had previously. As you might now see, statistics of this kind can cause more problems than fix. If you need more help with putting forward good business cases, please check out the WAI's own URL on this matter: http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/bcase/bc Although this might seem like a flame, please do not take it as so. I have spent a long time putting forward accessiblity to many clients, only for them to ask for stats that back up my claims. Making a site accessible, in fact building a site, will only be as successful as the original business plan that created the start-up. If a client is not happy to make a site accessible, do it as standard and they will probably never even know the difference... Regards Simon White -----Original Message----- From: Ken Reader [mailto:kreader@attaininc.org] Sent: Friday, January 11, 2002 14:00 To: Pat Byrne; w3c-wai-ig@w3.org Subject: RE: statistics - for differences between accessible and non-accessible sites? Good Point! I would like to see numbers like that as well. Ken Reader IT Coordinator ATTAIN, Inc. 2346 S. Lynhurst Drive STE 507 Indianapolis, IN 46241 Telephone (317) 486-8808 or (800)528-8246 Fax (317) 486-8809 Relay Indiana (800)743-3333 *********************************************************** THIS message and any attachements are CONFIDENTIAL and may be privledged. They are intended ONLY for the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, Please notify the sender as soon as possible. Please DO NOT READ, COPY, USE, or DISCLOSE this communication to others and DELETE it from your computer systems. Thanks -----Original Message----- From: Pat Byrne [mailto:pat@glasgowwestend.co.uk] Sent: Friday, January 11, 2002 8:53 AM To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org Subject: statistics - for differences between accessible and non-accessible sites? Hi, Does anyone have any statistics that give a clear indication of the benefits of making a Website accessible? e.g. an accessible site will have 10% more visitors, or is 20% easier to us, or will generate 10% more revenue. Is there anything of that nature - that would help make a direct appeal to business clients? Thanks, Pat Glasgow West End: Pat's Guide: http://www.glasgowwestend.co.uk Guide to all that's best in Glasgow's West End: What's On, Eating Out, Shopping, Flat Hunting, Local Characters, Classified Ads., Community Pinboard, Art for Sale and Free Photographs to download. ScotConnect: http://www.scotconnect.com A smooth transition to providing accessible information on the Internet. Quick to load, accessible Web sites - built with the minimum of fuss. Jim and Pat Byrne Tel: +44(0)141 334 1650 _____________________________________________________________________ VirusChecked by the Incepta Group plc _____________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ This email is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. 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Received on Friday, 11 January 2002 10:04:03 UTC