Accessible Internet Strategies
What Have We Learned?

Accessible Internet Strategies

What have we learned?

by Leo Valdes, Vision Office, 6 May 1999

Internet Accessibility in Practice

• Accessibility Basics
• Lessons from the "Gateway"
• Lessons from Online Sessions
• Web accessibility in Practice

Accessibility in Theory

Flexibility to accommodate the user’s needs and preferences

• Flexibility = alternatives
• Accommodation
• Needs / Preferences

Lessons from the "Gateway"

The Gateway to Social Planning and Development process

• Planning aspects
• Research areas identified: Adaptive technologies, Email, Web Accessibility

Making web pages accessible

• Visually impaired most affected

Lessons from Online Sessions

• What does Accessibility mean to you?
  • "Reasonable accommodation"
• Planning aspects help define "Accessibility"
  • Audiences
  • Messages
• Web Accessibility is not difficult
  • Awareness is key to good practices

Web Accessibility in Practice

Company A

• Build own web site as a model for clients
• Clients include stock exchange - live quotes
• Site is not accessible
• Minimal correction

Company B

• Build web site for mutual fund group
• A lot of planning
• Audience and messages defined
• Site is accessible

Web Accessibility in Practice

The new audience

• Ageing population
• Wide spectrum of technologies
• Global audience