Websites_are_Failing

**Accesibility for All**
by Matt Pelland

The world wide web has been around for 20 plus years, and the American disabilities act has been protecting our community with disabilities since 1995. We still haven't got it right with creating equal access to the valuable resources availible on the world wide web. Folks with disabilities need access to all of the same resources as people without disabilities, but are have limited access to these resources due to poor website development. Website developers are going for the engaging interface instead of creating websites that can be used by all users. This has been an incredible battle with one side standing firm in developing sites that are attractive, but have no value added for folks with disabilities. Then there is the other side with groups fighting hard that ALL websites should be built with accessibility options so screen readers and other assistive software can easily manipulate the page to work with patrons with disabilities. Governmental sites have taken the lead when developing sites that are accessible to its users, but they are trying to avoid anything to do with discrimination. Unfortunately, our main commercial sites are not readily accessible to patrons with disabilities. It is sad to see that we aren't doing this for the good of the people, but relying only on generation of dollars.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3626533.stm http://www.456bereastreet.com/archive/200610/barrierfree_web_design_aka_web_accessibility_20/