Accessible versus Attractive
Can a site be accessible and still look well designed to the non-disabled viewer?
When we look at some sites that are paragons of accessibility, we often see sites that are devoid of attractive design features. Many appear to be nearly identical. This is fine when the purpose of the site is merely to define specifications or to present academic research.
Publishers who promote commercial products or services want their web presence to be attractive as well as informative to the majority of users. Accessibility is often relegated to a lesser degree of importance than graphic layout and design.
Often, after a perfunctory, frustrating effort at creating an attractive accessible site, a web designer will give in to the idea that it just isn't possible. The typical suggestion is to create two sites - one for the general public and one for the disabled.
Besides the obvious expense involved in creating, maintaining and updating two versions of the same product, there is the perception that this type of policy forces the disabled to accept an inferior offering. A segregated, two-tier delivery of service will not be viewed favourably by either the disabled or the general public.
Rest assured that this easy way out is not the only option. Competent designer/developers, such as Jelve Design, have various methods available to allow them to create sites that are accessible and attractive at the same time. These capable individuals and companies are steadily developing new and better methods of combining accessibility needs with design considerations.