Articles
Website Technology moves on
Technology moves on, and this includes technology associated with websites. A lot of coding people use in their website is now referred to as 'deprecated'. This means that it is now out of date. Most browsers will still accept much of this coding, but for how long?
As a close analogy, the operating system Windows 98 can still be used with most software, but for how long? I understand Microsoft is ending all support for Windows 98 this year. Some of you, I am sure will still be using Windows 95. I wonder how many new software products support this? Not a lot I'll bet!
Legal action can be taken, based on whether disabled people can access the information on your website. This legal action can be taken under the Disability Discrimination Act.
Making a website accessible suggests that you just increase the font size, doesn't it?
Take a look at some of the case studies. They will give you an idea that it is not as simple as you may first think. The case studies are fictional, but represent common problems people face.
Are you unwittingly shutting the door to lots of users?
Users will access or try to access your website in many different ways. These include:
- Different standard browsers
- Standard browsers with different settings
- Voice browsers
- Text browsers
- Mobile phones
- Palmtops
- Without the use of a mouse
- With the aid of a screen reader
Most websites exclude many of these users by not being accessible. Just think, if you had an accessible website you could open up your doors to virtually anybody!
A great potential wouldn't you say?
Take the lead in the caring stakes
Let's face it, any advantage is a plus. Showing you're a caring organisation, which offers due care and attention will reinforce your organisation's socially responsible attitude.
At the moment, approximately 11% of the European population is considered disabled (The Disability Rights Commission estimate that it is currently 14% in the UK). This is estimated to increase to approximately 18% by 2020 due to an aging population. This is, even now, a sizeable proportion of the population.
Currently the 'disabled pound', as it is referred to, is worth approximately £60 billion in the UK.
Can you afford to miss out?
Greater control of your website for you and your users
In an accessible website there are two distinct parts:
- Structure - what you want to display or have as alternatives
- Presentation - the way it is displayed
Each of these parts can be changed quite easily and individually.
In an accessible website, a user can quite easily change the way it is displayed to their personal needs or preferences, without any changes in your coding .
In an inaccessible site, where the structure and presentation are all intermingled, it can take a long time for you to change the way it is presented and there is very little the user can adjust.
Making it easier for your users to access your site can only be an improvement, can't it?
Do you have one of the 81% of UK websites facing potential prosecution?
The Disability Rights Commission reported that 81% websites are inaccessible and that it is prepared to take action.
To date, only two cases that I know of have been brought. They were both settled out of court with the condition that their name was not released.
I believe it is not the potential unlimited compensation claims and the court costs of up to £50,000 that cause concern, but that of being one of the first 'scalps' and the associated bad publicity that goes with it.
So far, the emphasis by authorities has been about the benefits of having an accessible website and giving gentle persuasion towards making changes. If this does not seem to have a large impact, then the course of action will inevitably change.
Do you want to put yourself at risk?
N.B. One high profile legal case will bring a huge demand to make websites accessible with very few sources of supply. As with everything, a high demand and a low supply leads to higher prices