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Web Accessibility Online Class

August 24th, 2010 lvs Posted in In The Spotlight | No Comments »

The Web is an increasingly important resource. It is essential that the Web be accessible to everyone. The Web must be accessible in order to provide equal access and equal opportunity to people with disabilities. The Web offers the possibility of greater access to information and interaction with others for many people with disabilities. Currently most web sites have accessibility barriers that make it difficult or impossible for many people with disabilities to use the Web. Web accessibility is about making websites accessible so that people with disabilities can navigate and interact with others on the Web. Websites should be designed so that people are not excluded from accessing the content and services provided on the Web.

A key principle of Web Accessibility is constructing web sites that are flexible and can meet different user needs, preferences, and situations. Web accessibility encompasses all disabilities that affect access to the Web including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities. Web accessibility also benefits people without disabilities in certain situations, such as people using a slow Internet connection, people with temporary disabilities such as a broken arm, and people with changing abilities due to aging. Millions of people have disabilities that affect their use of the Web.

Before anyone can make their web site accessible, they must understand accessibility, learn how to implement accessibility, be committed to ensuring accessibility, and understand their legal obligations. The Web Accessibility online class is meant to be an introduction to Web Accessibility including:

• An overview of accessibility laws and guidelines
• An overview of different browsing technologies
• How to code accessible websites
• How to test your sites for accessibility

How can you make your web site more accessible? This isn’t difficult to accomplish and doesn’t require anything more than your normal tools: XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, Flash, or whatever else that you normally use. All you need to do is, use these tools in the right way, and remember the guidelines that exist to help you keep your websites accessible and the laws that enforce web accessibility around the world. Yes, there are Accessibility laws, and companies have gotten sued for not having an accessible web site. Accessibility is a legal concern that must be considered at all stages of web development.

Who is this class for? This Web Accessibility online course is for anyone that has a web site, designs web sites, or is responsible for the web sites of others. You will learn design principles that you can immediately apply to your web site to make it more accessible.