IMPAKT ARTICLES - ACCESSIBILITY

What is Accessibility?

Accessibility means making a website accessible to people who may not be using standard ways of browsing through disability or other restrictions - i.e. taking into account the many ways in which people browse the web. Not everybody uses the same methods, due to disability or technology restrictions, so taking these restrictions into account when designing a site will produce an accessible website.

It is sometimes said that accessibility can be synonymous with ugly or low quality graphic design, but this is a myth. Accessibility is about inclusive design and opening up a site to its maximum audience, not about sidelining creativity or stifling a company's message. All product design is subject to considerations about how it will be used by people and websites are no different.

Why is it Important?

Simply put, websites with poor accessibility exclude everyone and it is the site that can suffer - for example from a stunted user base and a lack of sales. On a more positive note, having a usable site can be a major advantage over competitors. Website users are actively looking for a product or service, and the site that makes it easiest for them to find that product or service will enjoy an advantage over those that don't.

Impakt Media's Accessibility Options

• Integrate accessibility principles into a new design
• Integrate accessibility principles into an existing design
• Report on required design and / or structural changes
• Implement design and / or structural changes
• Work with pre-existing development team