Wendy Fowler

Ali Mohamed Abdulrahman Ahmed

Ali Mohamed Abdulrahman Ahmed - Bahrain

ACCESSIBILITY:

If people can find your site in the search engines, you`ve won half of the battle. Now, can the majority of visitors use your site? The most basic aspects of accessibility relates to browser and screen resolutions. Unfortunately, you have no control over what computer, what browser and what size monitor your web visitor is using. But you can try your site from different machines. Does your site function well across the most current web browsers? Most people are accessing the web through Internet Explorer 6 and using a display with 800 x 600 pixels or more. You want your site to perform well in such conditions, and if you work with a professional web designer or web development company, they will be able to test your site for the most used browsers and screens resolutions. Here are the top browsers (as of June 2004):

Speaking of browsers, if you haven`t updated your browser lately, take a few minutes to do so. You can download the latest version of Internet Explorer at: https://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx

For the latest version of Mozilla, go to: https://www.mozilla.org/

Mozilla is a web browser used by the most sophisticated Internet users, web developers and programmers because it is built to enhance security, privacy and support of web standards. You may want to check it out as an alternative to Internet Explorer.

Another important aspect of accessibility, and a growing concern for many businesses, is compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (found at 29 U.S.C. 794d) which requires that Federal agencies` electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities.

As of October 1, 2004 certain businesses selling products or services to government agencies will be required to comply with Section 508. The government primary concern is to improve its employees access to information by providing reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Besides, government agencies must provide program access to members of the public with disabilities. From a legal point of view, the government is also taking actions that will prevent discrimination on the basis of disability (while also defending itself from law suits).

As Internet use continues to grow, many private companies are likely to gain competitive advantage by providing better online access to people with disabilities. And that will be a great step. Smart companies are likely to comply in the near future, because implementing accessibility features is not very difficult and is not an economical burden either. If you want to be a leader in web accessibility, look for a web developer familiar with accessibility issues, Section 508 and web standards.

Accessibility issues also affect users on the go, who are accessing the web through their personal digital assistants, handheld computers, or web-enabled cellular phones. If your users are likely to view your site in small screens, you should check how your site is performing in such devices.



Ali Mohamed Abdulrahman Ahmed