Accessibility

Access-a-what?

“Accessibility is treating everyone, no matter what their ability,

the same.”

Why?

Why?• In some countries it’s the law

Why?• In some countries it’s the law

• You don’t want to exclude any potential customers/visitors

Why?• In some countries it’s the law

• You don’t want to exclude any potential customers/visitors

• Accessible web sites tend to rank higher on search engines

Why?• In some countries it’s the law

• You don’t want to exclude any potential customers/visitors

• Accessible web sites tend to rank higher on search engines

• Ethical thing to do - something that customers value

Why?• In some countries it’s the law

• You don’t want to exclude any potential customers/visitors

• Accessible web sites tend to rank higher on search engines

• Ethical thing to do - something that customers value

• Improved usability

Legal Stuff

N.B. This is not legal advice!

Legal Stuff

• USA

N.B. This is not legal advice!

Legal Stuff

• USA

• ADA

N.B. This is not legal advice!

Legal Stuff

• USA

• ADA

• Section 508 - for web sites

N.B. This is not legal advice!

Legal Stuff

• USA

• ADA

• Section 508 - for web sites

• UK

N.B. This is not legal advice!

Legal Stuff

• USA

• ADA

• Section 508 - for web sites

• UK

• DDA 1995

N.B. This is not legal advice!

Potential Markets

Potential Markets

• Employers are obligated to provide accessible software

Potential Markets

• Employers are obligated to provide accessible software

• Ergo accessibility makes software more desirable to employers

Potential Markets

• Employers are obligated to provide accessible software

• Ergo accessibility makes software more desirable to employers

• Tesco.com (it’s like the Walmart of UK)

Potential Markets

• Employers are obligated to provide accessible software

• Ergo accessibility makes software more desirable to employers

• Tesco.com (it’s like the Walmart of UK)

• Accessibility changes created additional £13m ($20m) revenue per year

Potential Markets

• Employers are obligated to provide accessible software

• Ergo accessibility makes software more desirable to employers

• Tesco.com (it’s like the Walmart of UK)

• Accessibility changes created additional £13m ($20m) revenue per year

• Disabled people still: eat, listen to music, use taxis...

$1m

$1m $100m

$1m $100m

$1b

The Bailout

Search Engines

Search Engines

• For web sites Accessibility gets you to:

Search Engines

• For web sites Accessibility gets you to:

• Make content available to the computer

Search Engines

• For web sites Accessibility gets you to:

• Make content available to the computer

• Provide text alternatives to multi-media

Search Engines

• For web sites Accessibility gets you to:

• Make content available to the computer

• Provide text alternatives to multi-media

• Put emphasis on content programatically

Search Engines

• For web sites Accessibility gets you to:

• Make content available to the computer

• Provide text alternatives to multi-media

• Put emphasis on content programatically

• All these things help search engines

Search Engines

• For web sites Accessibility gets you to:

• Make content available to the computer

• Provide text alternatives to multi-media

• Put emphasis on content programatically

• All these things help search engines

• Why?

Ethics and Branding

Ethics and Branding

• Ethics 101 = Don’t be a jerk

Ethics and Branding

• Ethics 101 = Don’t be a jerk

• Branding 101 = Find things that are good about you and promote them

Ethics and Branding

• Ethics 101 = Don’t be a jerk

• Branding 101 = Find things that are good about you and promote them

• Not being a jerk is good, promote it.

Disabilities

Disabilities

• Visual

Disabilities

• Visual

• Auditory (hearing)

Disabilities

• Visual

• Auditory (hearing)

• Mobility

Disabilities

• Visual

• Auditory (hearing)

• Mobility

• Cognitive

Visual Impairments

Visual Impairments

• Impaired vision

Visual Impairments

• Impaired vision

• Cataracts

Visual Impairments

• Impaired vision

• Cataracts

• Tunnel Vision

Visual Impairments

• Impaired vision

• Cataracts

• Tunnel Vision

• Colour Blindness - yes I know I’m British

Visual Impairments

• Impaired vision

• Cataracts

• Tunnel Vision

• Colour Blindness - yes I know I’m British

• Short/long sighted

Auditory

Auditory

• Deafness (lack of hearing)

Auditory

• Deafness (lack of hearing)

• Can be less-literate, or

Auditory

• Deafness (lack of hearing)

• Can be less-literate, or

• Literate in only Sign e.g. ASL

Auditory

• Deafness (lack of hearing)

• Can be less-literate, or

• Literate in only Sign e.g. ASL

• Tinnitus

Mobility

Mobility• Trauma

Mobility• Trauma

• Spinal cord injuries

Mobility• Trauma

• Spinal cord injuries

• Loss of limbs/digits

Mobility• Trauma

• Spinal cord injuries

• Loss of limbs/digits

• Diseases/Conditions

Mobility• Trauma

• Spinal cord injuries

• Loss of limbs/digits

• Diseases/Conditions

• Muscular dystrophy

Mobility• Trauma

• Spinal cord injuries

• Loss of limbs/digits

• Diseases/Conditions

• Muscular dystrophy

• Multiple sclerosis

Mobility• Trauma

• Spinal cord injuries

• Loss of limbs/digits

• Diseases/Conditions

• Muscular dystrophy

• Multiple sclerosis

• Parkinsons

Mobility• Trauma

• Spinal cord injuries

• Loss of limbs/digits

• Diseases/Conditions

• Muscular dystrophy

• Multiple sclerosis

• Parkinsons

• Cerebral palsy

Cognitive

Cognitive

• Dyslexia

Cognitive

• Dyslexia

• Dyspraxia

Cognitive

• Dyslexia

• Dyspraxia

• Learning Disabilities

Design ChoicesA discussion

Tom Hughes-Croucher

http://twitter.com/sh1mmercroucher@yahoo-inc.com