Inaccessible Sites Abound
We find inaccessible websites where we would least expect them.
[Note: 508 Now was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jelve.com. It has now been integrated into Jelve Design.]
In the vast global marketplace that is the Internet, a unique combination of relatively low publishing costs and the ability to target a specific consumer sector has made it possible for companies which manufacture or distribute products to a niche market to prosper. Websites published by providers of goods and services designed for people with disabilities are good examples of this type of niche marketing in action.
Web accessibility specialists, 508 Now, recently conducted a study of nearly 400 websites belonging to companies and organizations whose primary target audience is comprised of the disabled community. The study included the websites of an entire range of companies, from small manufacturers of assistive devices, such as screen magnifiers, to multinational software corporations with accessibility divisions of their companies and their web properties.
The somewhat surprising results of the study indicate that web accessibility standards are being overlooked by companies whose very existence is dependent upon providing accessible goods or services to the disabled.
Fully 75% of the sites tested by 508 Now failed to meet minimum accessibility requirements for a Level A rating by the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative (http://www.w3.org/wai). The consortium suggests that ALL sites meet Level A standards. Level AA and Level AAA are suggested for content that is targeted at an audience of disabled users.
With the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, many businesses were dragged, kicking and screaming, into the realization that they must make their premises accessible to disabled employees. Those that accepted the challenge were rewarded with loyal staff, a larger client/customer base and good corporate publicity. Those that resisted the ADA were punished with lawsuits by disgruntled employees and/or clients, large staff turnover and bad PR. Eleven years later, most responsible companies have accepted the fact that accessibility is not only a legal necessity, it's good for business.
The present era is often referred to as the Information Age. The importance of equal access to information is becoming clear. Progressive companies and organizations will, no doubt, learn from the lessons of the 1990's ADA experience and take a proactive approach to their web publication policies.
Based on a belief that many of these companies may be unaware of the inaccessible nature of their publications, 508 Now has embarked on a campaign of notifying companies that offer products or services to the disabled and whose sites fail to meet accessibility standards. How those companies deal with web accessibility should serve as a herald to indicate where the broader web community is headed.