One Internet for All?
Another day at work has started. Mary* grabs her morning tea and gets ready to dive into lines of code. As one of the top programmers in this department, Mary is responsible for mission critical computer systems... and Mary is partially blind.
Armed with a reader and a special Braille printer, Mary can do everything that any other of her co-workers can handle. She's not alone out there in the computer and Internet workforce. Many folks with disabilities are finding that the Internet and computers can be liberating. New technology is making it possible for more and more people to get on.
The last year and a half in web designing has seen a great surge to have accessible webpages. Major companies have become conscious that if they want to keep their business growing on the Internet, they have to make it available to everyone. The World Wide Web Consortium, the be all and end all on setting standards for the Web, has released several white papers on guidelines for constructing accessible pages. Browsers, such as Internet Explorer and Lynx have been equipped with readers to allow a synthesized voice to vocalize the content of webpages. Modified keyboards make it easier for folks with motor skills deficiencies.
Still, with all these drivers, there are still barriers to folks accessing the Internet and the Web. Some of it has to do with cost. Special equipment and software can be cost-restrictive to many. Many web designers are still either unaware of how to make their pages accessible or have chosen to ignore those standards for various reasons. One of the biggest reasons is the ability to use the "cool, new" technology, like Flash, Streaming Media, frames, etc., all of which can not be interpretted by readers.
Despite all the restrictions, computers, the Internet and the Web are becoming friendly places for many. As Mary put it, sitting down for lunch with her collegues, "Isn't technology wonderful?"
Free Web Analysis to check if your webpages are Accessible:
Bobby
Designing Tips:
National Arts and Disability Center
http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~mowalker/a...
Web Masters(humorous)
Suite101: Accessible Web Design
Tools, equipment, software:
IntelliTools
Web Browsing through Adaptive Technology: A Consumer Information Resource
Other Information:
Library Service to Patrons with Physical Disabilities
* Not her real name
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