When we describe the features of the websites we create, we often use the word "accessibility".  Sometimes we reel it off the tongue a little too easily forgetting that people outside the website design industry probably haven't got a clue what we're talking about!

In this blog post, I will try to explain what accessible web design means.

All good website designers will make sure that the websites they create are accessible. This means that the the website provides the same services to everyone, no matter what disabilities they may have.

For example, an epileptic would not appreciate a website that contained lots of flashing images as it could trigger a seizure or an individual with dexterity difficulties may need to use the keyboard to navigate a website instead of the mouse.

As another example, someone who is visually-impaired may require a screen-reader to browse the Internet. This is simply a small device that takes the text from a webpage and reads it out through a speaker. Accessible websites make sure that such a person can "hear" the website in the same way that someone with twenty-twenty vision can see it.

Not only is this good business practice, but it also ensures that a website does not break the Disability Discrimination Act. If a business owner neglects to provide wheelchair access to their premises where they can, they are breaking the law. Similarly an inaccessible website is also (technically) illegal.

Website accessibility is a service that we believe all website designers should provide as standard - unfortunately many do not. All Shore Dutton websites are designed to be accessible to all, which means no potential customer will be turned away because they cannot access your website.

For more information on website accessibility, I refer you to Web Content Accessibilty Guidelines provided by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).