The need for Accessibility

The benefits gained by developing Accessible web sites can be rationalised into four main categories:

1. Increase audience
2. Easier maintainability and improved performance
3. Improve organisation's reputation
4. Satisfy legal requirements locally and internationally

Increase Audience

Increase portability - reach all people and devices,

Improve search engine listings - drive new customers to the site,

Increase Internationalisation - increase support for foreign customers,

Ease re purposing to other formats - provide content to multiple sources,

Increase Usability - increase trust and advocacy of your site and your business. (Thomason L. 2000 Online)

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Easier maintainability and improved performance

Ease site maintenance - additions and updates are quicker, simpler, cheaper.

Simpler to reformat and adapt for new technologies.

Reduce need for user support - decreasing help desk and other support costs.

Reduce server and bandwidth loads - increasing capacity, decreasing cost. (Dahm T, 2001 online)

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Improve organisation's reputation

Demonstrate social responsibility - show that you care.

Demonstrate progressive attitude- accessibility is an issue that will increase in prominence.

Become a responsible corporate citizen inspiring consumer confidence. (Thomason L. 2000 Online), (Dahm T. 2001 online), (Watchfire Corporation, 2003 online)

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Satisfy legal requirements locally and internationally

Comply with:

• UK Disability Discrimination Act
• European Human rights Legislation
• Worldwide anti-discrimination laws , e.g.
  USA - Americans with Disabilities Act
  USA - Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, Section 508
  Australia - Disability Discrimination Act

(Watchfire Corporation, 2003 online), (Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 2003 online)

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