- From: Elizabeth J. Pyatt <ejp10@psu.edu>
- Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2007 14:06:47 -0500
- To: Ben Weedon <ben.weedon@serco.com>
- Cc: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Ben Weedon wrote: >Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone knew of regulations >concerning web design and >gender or race? Is there any formal documentation surrounding this, or is it >simply covered by the non-web based legislation in each website provider's >country? > In terms of REGULATIONS, for ths US, I think it's generally covered by regulations on using non-discriminatory language (Web and non-Web). But there aren't any additional "accomodations" you would need to make like you would for a Spanish speaking user (in the US) or for a visually impaired user. Everything else depends on the context and target audience. There may be cases where you want to use images of people from different socioeconomic backgrounds or mix references to different races/genders to show your service is welcome to all. Many federal government service Web sites are designed for inclusiveness. Or you may want a gender/race neutral design like Google which is meant to be used by anyone regardless of their background (although their changing logos are an interesting reference to an international audience...but that's another story) Or you may really be targeting a specific audience and want to tilt your site in that direction (e.g. a Web site for BET TV or Lifetime TV or Spike TV). In that case, your best bet would be to research design preferences for different cultures. Just my two cents. Elizabeth -- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Elizabeth J. Pyatt, Ph.D. Instructional Designer Education Technology Services, TLT/ITS Penn State University ejp10@psu.edu, (814) 865-0805 or (814) 865-2030 (Main Office) 210 Rider Building II 227 W. Beaver Avenue State College, PA 16801-4819 http://www.personal.psu.edu/ejp10/psu http://tlt.psu.edu
Received on Monday, 5 March 2007 19:29:52 UTC