About Accessibility
“Web accessibility refers to how easily people with disabilities can navigate and interact with websites. Disabilities may be physical (such as blindness, low vision, deafness, or fine motor skills difficulty), or cognitive (such as dyslexia or attention deficit disorder). People with disabilities often use assistive technologies to help them navigate the web.
An assistive technology is any device that helps a person with a disability. Common web assistive technologies include modified mice and keyboards, screen readers and screen magnifiers.
Web accessibility occurs when websites support web accessibility standards, are compatible with assistive technologies, and are easy for people to navigate and understand.”
Accessibility ensures availability and functionality so all users can perceive and interact with a space, information, a system or technology.
Other resources if you are interested in learning more about web accessibility, techniques and industry research:
- World Wide Web Consortium Web Accessibility Initiative (WCAG 2.0 Guidelines)
- Web Accessibility In Mind (tutorials, research, best practice)
- EASI - Equal Access to Software and Information presentations by leaders
Updated September 21, 2015 by Student & Academic Services
