RE: Accessible Web Design Article: What is an accessible website?

Hi Jim

Would the concise definition of an accessible website be just that - it
is accessible?

I'm not sure if I would separate a disabled person from the general
person as you seem to imply with your initial bullets on "What is an
accessible website?". Surely everyone means everyone regardless of their
physical or metal condition.

I would agree that given the state of current technology it would be a
massive undertaking to translate your content into X languages. But
wouldn't it be great if you could?! Your market reach would have no
bounds. Consider that technology will catch up and develop your projects
with that in mind.

I've never considered writing style to be strongly connected to
accessibility. Ok in the most part things should be kept simple but
writing style is an expression of individuality. As long as whatever is
written is accessible then that is what matters (and I'll stop myself
there before I digress).

Keeping up-to-date versions of a site (at its most basic : graphics and
text only) is not be a problem if you consider that structure and
content *should* be separated.


Given the current technology available it is difficult to make content
accessible to everyone. But we should do all that's possible to ensure
our projects are developed with the future in mind - look at the web 10
yrs ago who'd of guessed we'd be where we are now!

Separate structure and content, keep reading WAI IG and your half way
there.


Kind regards
Mike Palmer
www.absoluteinternet.com



PS : all the above is IMHO :)





> -----Original Message-----
> From: w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org 
> [mailto:w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org] On Behalf Of Jim Byrne
> Sent: 24 September 2002 12:32
> To: MCU List; GCU
> Subject: MCU: Accessible Web Design Article: What is an 
> accessible website?
> 
> 
> 
> There is a new article on the Making Connections Unit website:
> 
> What is an accessible website? Attempting a definition. 
> http://www.mcu.org.uk/articles/whatisaw.html
> 
> It is an 
> attempt to find a way of thinking about accessible web design 
> that addresses the needs of website producers, not just consumers.
> 
> If you have never read any of the articles on the Making 
> Connections Unit website before, this is the one to start 
> with; I think it attempts to address some important issues. I 
> expect there will be people who don't agree with the 
> conclusions, or the approach taken to get to those 
> conclusions - if so, but don't keep your thoughts to 
> yourself, add your comments to the page or to the discussion 
> forum. Or get in touch with me directly.
> 
> All the best,
> Jim
> 
> -- 
> Jim Byrne Project Director, The Making Connections Unit, 
> Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 OBA, 0141 331 3893
> 
> Everything you need to know about publishing accessible 
> information on the Web.
> 
> Services: Website Accessibility Audits, Accessible Web 
> design, Accessible Website Management Training.
> 
> The Making Connections Unit: http://www.mcu.org.uk/
> Scottish Disability Information Mailing list: 
> http://www.mcu.org.uk/mailinglists/
> 
> 
>

Received on Tuesday, 24 September 2002 09:02:13 UTC