Web Design For a few decades now, since the introduction of the Internet, the World Wide Web has become the most used form of information resource. Thousands of web sites owned by public and private sectors are currently accessible over the Internet. Aside from quick provision of information the World Wide Web provides, ease of accessibility is one of the factors that has made it a popular choice. One doesn't need to bother going to a library, whose accessibility is usually limited within an area, and find for the necessary information from large volumes of books. With the World Wide Web, the availability of Internet cafes almost everywhere, as well as the ownership of computers in many households these days, the accessibility of information has provided convenience to many users.

A group of people in the Internet community, however, was somehow not taken into account when most of the current existing web sites were developed. This group is the disabled users. The following pages will discuss the challenges, needs, and solutions surrounding the development of web sites in making them accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Needs and Challenges of Web Site Accessibility

Because of the never-ending emergence of new technologies in web site design and programming, the attention of most web designers and developers are focused in maintaining the compatibility of their web sites with new technologies. Usually, in the process of web site development, rarely did...

Perhaps, this happens because of their inadequate awareness regarding those with disabilities.
In response to the web accessibility problems experienced by disabled, disabilities act was passed and mandated by law in some nations. In the U.S., the U.S. Government Section 508 requires government web sites to follow the accessibility rules for people with disabilities. Private and public web sites are also to comply with the disability act. On the other hand, in UK, the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) look after the concerns of British with disabilities.

US Government Section 508 is a challenge web developers and designers face in compliance to web accessibility act. Providing a web service accessible to everyone regardless of physical status could improve their web site's goal and purpose. From RNIB News Desk, Julie Howell, indicates that RNIB and WAI want to emphasize that by making an Internet service inaccessible you potentially lose 8.5 million disabled customers, not to mention their friends, relatives and carers."

Solutions and Design Practices for Web Accessibility

Evaluation of techniques and practices in the development of web sites for successful web accessibility is essential. Following are effective web design practices. These techniques were obtained from the list of World Wide Web Consortiums (W3C), with web site…