The importance of web accessibility

Essential that the web be accessible in order to provide equal access and equal opportunity to people with diverse disabilities. Access to information and communication technologies, including the Web, is defined as a basic human right in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

The Web is an opportunity for unprecedented access to information and interaction for many people with disabilities. The accessibility barriers to print, audio and visual media can be much more easily overcome through web technologies. (EX) When the primary way to get certain information was to go to a library and read it on paper, there were significant barriers for many people with disabilities such as getting to the library, physically getting the resource and reading the resource. When the same information is available on the Web in an accessible format, it is significantly easier for many people to get.

When the Web is accessible, people with disabilities can do more themselves without having to rely on others.

• People with quadriplegia who cannot move their arms or legs can shop online to get groceries, gadgets and gifts delivered.
• People with cognitive and learning disabilities can get adapted versions of information that they can better understand.
• People who are blind can read the newspaper through screen readers that read aloud text from the computer. So can people with cognitive disabilities who have trouble processing written information.
• People who are deaf can get up-to-the-minute news that was previously available only to those who could hear radio or TV, and so can people who are blind and deaf through dynamic Braille display. people who cannot speak can participate in online discussions such as through blog comments.

Who uses Screen Readers People who are:

• totally blind and listen to the screen reader
• blind and deaf and use a dynamic braille display
• blind and can hear the screen reader, and also use a dynamic braille display
• low vision who can see some of the text
• cognitive disabilities who can see just fine, yet have difficulty processing written text and can process spoken language better

Use the web without a mouse:

• Tab = moves to the next link, form element or button
• Shift+Tab = moves to the previous link, form element or button
• Enter = activates the current link or button