Accessible Business Online www.cadmium.com.au Alexandra Graham Cadmium Design & Development WSG-Perth March, 2006 Copyright 2006 Cadmium Design & Development

About Cadmium Started in late 2002. Very small operation focusing on standards based, accessible web design. Work recognised by the Guild of Accessible Designers (GAWDS) Finalist in 2005 WA Web Awards

What is accessibility? Accessibility is about more than catering for disabled users. It is about ACCESS . In a nutshell, accessibility is making your website available to as many different people as possible, regardless of ability or equipment .

So what does accessibility cover? Catering for people with disabilities Blind or visually impaired users (including colour blindness) People with physical disabilities (e.g. motor impairment – Cerebral Palsy, etc.) People with learning difficulties (e.g. low reading age, dyslexia, etc.)

So what does accessibility cover? Designing for a variety of browsers & platforms People accessing the internet via mobile phone or PDA. People with slow connections (e.g. dial-up) People with old computers and/or software.

So what does accessibility cover? Taking into account skill level and situation Older web users (not used to computers). Young children. People whose first language is not English.

In summary, accessibility is: Catering for people with disabilities . Considering usability issues and challenges. Developing websites for multiple browsers/platforms . Developing for maximum access .

Accessibility and clients How do you sell accessibility to your clients?

Accessibility and clients How do you sell accessibility to your clients? Ask yourself: Is accessibility a feature or a process ?

Accessibility: feature or process? Feature (fea-ture) A prominent or distinctive aspect, quality, or characteristic. Process (proc-ess) A series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result. Source: Dictionary.com ( http://dictionary.reference.com/ )

Treat accessibility as a process Accessibility can be both a feature and a process The process of creating an accessible website results in the feature of better websites . Process (proc-ess) A series of actions , changes , or functions bringing about a result . Source: Dictionary.com ( http://dictionary.reference.com/ )

Accessibility: feature and process Process Combining usability and cross-platform development with consideration for disabled users. Feature An easy to use website than can be accessed from multiple platforms, in different situations by as many people as possible.

What about selling it to clients? What do clients want from their website? A website that works . A website that people can find . A website that people can use .

Clients don't care about accessibility Process (Developer) Combining usability and cross-platform development with consideration for disabled users. Feature (Client) An easy to use website than can be accessed from multiple platforms, in different situations by as many people as possible.

Sell the features not the process Feature An easy to use website than can be accessed from multiple platforms, in different situations by as many people as possible. A website that works . A website that people can find . A website that people can use .

What are the benefits of accessibility? Positive arguments (accessibility is good because of) Appeal to affluent markets (older web users, people with high disposal incomes – PDA, advanced phone users, etc) Positive PR for being socially responsible Improved search performance Source: The Business Case for Accessibility, Andy Budd www.message.uk.com/articles/accessibility.php

What are the benefits of accessibility? Negative arguments (inaccessibility is bad because of) Users turning away from a hard to use website. Bad publicity – people tell others about sites that don't work, not sites that do work. Exposure to litigation (i.e. Sydney Olympics) Source: The Business Case for Accessibility, Andy Budd www.message.uk.com/articles/accessibility.php

Things to remember Accessibility is about more than just disabled users – it's about access. Build accessibility into your development process, don't make it an extra or afterthought . Sell the features not the process of accessibility to your clients. Clients don't care how you do it – just make a good website .

Any questions?