Accessibility

Expand your markets
Half the population is potentially affected.

Older people (40% in the near future) plus over 10% of the population is disabled.

Remember these are not just your visitors but your employees and potential employees.

Accessible websites also have a distinct advantage by improving their chances of being discovered by search engines.  An increasing number or logos are being developed to recognize excellence in site design for the disabled.

An easy and efficient website for visitors to use
Clear, common sense layouts and consistent navigation makes finding information easier.  With prominence given to the most important material at the top of the page and lesser valued content towards the foot of the page.

This means people stay longer and return more frequently.

Save money with less coding – over time
Simpler coding makes it easier for designers and developers to create and maintain sites.

Reduced file sizes = improves page loading speeds and network performance.

Efficient and effective use of technology such as Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and reduced dependence on bulky media and graphics.

Stay ahead of the competition
Accessibility across all modern browsers, platforms and operating systems.

"Accessibility Aware"
Just as with BSI, CRM or Risk Management for example, what was seen as intriguing or cutting edge "today" soon becomes essential. As a consultant or business person you can add value to your customers through building in accessibility now.

You need this in the longer term to survive. 

Three specific roles are worth highlighting.  All can be internal or external to the business or organization.

1. Marketing Access Aware Consultant
   The role in business planning is crucial to ensure a context for developers and designers.  Too often costs, specification and end product go wrong because of the absence of marketing or the properly informed access aware marketer.
   
   
2. Designer Access Aware Consultant
   Design and Compliance can be bedfellows in the new world of W3C compliance,  but it needs an Access informed designer.  It needs a team player with the ability to take a brief and the confidence to argue their corner with the marketer and developer.
   
   
3. Developer Access Aware Consultant
   On the face of it the most crucial person technically due to informing the rest of the team about the actual technical compliance of the site.  However it is crucial this role does not drive the plan and is controlled by the business plan – working in the team above.

Statistics – from the RNIB
"Below are some facts and figures regarding disabilities correct at the time of publishing:

• 59 million - The approximate population of the United Kingdom (source: ONS).
• 8.5 million - The number of people with some form of disability in the United Kingdom (source: ONS).
• 2 million - The number of people with sight problems (source: RNIB).
• £40-50 billion - The combined estimated spending power of disabled people (source: Employers Forum on Disability)."