Website Accessibility, what's it all about?

Ensuring that everybody has access to your website

Web accessibility in simple terms means ensuring that websites are available as to as many users as possible without discrimination.

We build websites the right way, using what are now termed as 'web standards'. This isn't simply a buzz phrase of the minute, we follow the structural hierarchy of HTML code. This makes it much easier for non-regular web-browsers (e.g. search engines and screen reader software) to read website content.

You would be surprised how few companies in the web industry follow the rules and still continue to build their sites using out-dated layout techniques and badly written code.

Maybe you've been considering a website built completely in Flash - our verdict on that approach is - why? How many websites do you see listed in Google search results that are fully flashed up? Most website designers who use flash are striving to make the 'coolest site' rather than the 'most sensible and accessible'. Whilst Flash animation does have it's place - don't be drawn in to think that it will sell products or 'add movement' & 'life' to your pages, it's not that important.

Why should I make my website accessible?

There has been a lot of recent talk about legal requirements for website accessibility, the majority of which are ill informed.

Accessibility isn't just about specific requirements for disabled users, it makes sense for everybody.

Visually impaired users are just one group of users who have been badly served by web designers since the beginning. But building with web standards makes it easier for all sorts of users and systems to access your website and hear what you have to say.

10 business reasons for standards compliant web design

  1. Faster-loading pages
  2. Better search engine ranking
  3. Lower bandwidth usage
  4. Reduced maintenance costs
  5. Quicker site redesigns
  6. No need for alternative versions of the site
  7. Greater consistency throughout your site
  8. Stylesheets enable pages to print better
  9. Easy transition to emerging platforms (mobile phones etc.)
  10. Easier multi-lingual delivery

Accessibility considerations

We make every effort to make our sites accessible to users of non-regular browser software. One area for special consideration is the page navigation, we make it as clear and straightforward as possible.

Accessibility = Sensibility

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