What is accessibility? Strictly speaking, is a set of criteria, techniques and technologies aimed at facilitating access to the Web to disabled people. In its broadest sense, this is a mechanism for defining Web standards (approaches, techniques and technologies) aimed to allow interoperability between systems and, therefore, that the Web is more accessible in general.
Towards a standard on the Web
The great advantage of accessibility is the interoperability through standardization. This allows return on investment because the site will be ready for possible integrations with other platforms or for reuse with new technologies. But in addition, there are a number of concrete benefits that are directly related to the application of these criteria, including:
- Increasing the number of users.
- Increased use of a site by users.
- Reduction of the maintenance of a site.
- Improvements in performance of the site and the server.
- Ability to view a site on different platforms (mobile phones, PDAs, television, etc.)..
- Better positioning of a site in search engines.
- Improvements in the image of an organization.
- Compliance with legal requirements of today and tomorrow.
All these advantages can be translated into cost reduction, ROI and a better use of resources thanks to the maximization the development (with the same budget it gives a greater scope) and compliance with standards (investment is secured by the support of W3C, an organization recognized internationally).
Not all are advantages
Often the criteria and directives that these standards set generate conditions, limitations and restrictions, especially in terms of image. This does not mean that a Accessible website is to be unfailingly ugly. You just have to take into account the limitations imposed by standardization.
How to make a decision?
The important thing is knowing what to do in each case. Not all projects require a accessible site, and not all sites must be visually stunning. As is known, decisions usually involve something to resign after a greater gain; it is crucial to respect the objectives of the project.
Author: Luciano Schlaen - Director of PAGINAR.NET Spain
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