Accesibility
The history of the World Wide Web originates from a purely text-based medium used by researchers and scientists to share information. However, design and graphical representation has become increasingly important as the web has developed into a commercial medium. Web developers and designers have not followed a “Design for All” approach leading to a less accessible medium, particularly for those with disabilities.
To combat this increasing problem and to ensure the full inclusion of people with disabilities on the web, a set of standards and guidelines have been created to help lead to a more accessible web for everyone - The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).
The WAI project forms part of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and is funded via a number of sources with significant contributions from Europe, the United States and Japan.
The European Commission has been involved with various web accessibility initiatives over the last 10 years. In June 2005 i2010 – A European Information Society for growth and employment initiative was launched as a strategic framework to address the main challenges and developments in the information society and media sectors up to 2010.
One of the three priorities is e-Inclusion with the specific aim to bring the benefits of the information society into all segments of the population. The eAccessibility arm of this focuses on people with disabilities:
“All citizens have the right to benefit from new opportunities that the Information Society offers. People with disabilities and older persons sometimes experience difficulties in accessing these new technologies and services, as some barriers can be inadvertently created by the Information Society itself. Accessibility problems can also be created by specific environment or social conditions.
On the other hand, Information Technologies and Services can greatly help overcome other environmental or social barriers, encountered by people with disabilities and older persons.”
