Overview and Aim

Primarily, this assignment focuses on applying the T.O.P2 design tool to three web sites that have implemented accessible web sites without compromising on the design.

Background

If you ask most designers to consider highly accessible sites, the first ones that spring to mind are not necessarily fantastic looking examples. Most sites that display a Bobby AAA or WCAG AA - compliant badge also have a dull interface, unimaginative navigation and are fairly plain and simple. These kind of designs are limiting when presenting to a prospective client about the virtues of an accessible site (Tang B.A 2001 Online). As Tang explains there are many misconceptions surrounding the accessibility guidelines and the legislation in the U.S. We will not be exploring those issues in this assignment however, you may wish to investigate further - "The myths of Section 508 accessibility".

Aim

The predominant perception of web designers is that it is too hard to create good design and accessible web sites. The aim of this assignment is to analyse from the developers perspective (lens), three web sites that have good design and are conforming to the WCAG guidelines with the T.O.P2 tool (Hillier M. 2003). The tool will not be used to it's full potential as it will only have the perspective of myself, as a developer however, it will indicate some of the key issues surrounding this subject.

The Introduction

Besides this outline and aim section will give a simple definition and explanation about accessibility in small bite size chunks. It will not be an in depth analysis. It will answer to a degree these basic questions:

• What is Accessibility
• The need for Accessibility
• How to achieve Accessibility