LIS 753

I have to admit that the first time I successfully completed my first HTML page for this class the feeling was exhilarating.  Knowing that I could create something that could be accessed by anyone, anywhere was mind-blowing, but after this week’s readings (W3C and Access Standards) my feelings changed a bit.  I was under the impression that everyone could access the Web, but, as I learned, this is not always the case.  What I failed to realize was that not everyone can easily access the web either due to a physical disability or other circumstance.  Fortunately, guidelines have been established to help make the web accessible to everyone. 

The World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) mission is to “develop interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential…”  (http://www.w3.org/)  One of the ways the W3C has tried to accomplish this is by establishing a set of guidelines that outlines the requirements needed by web designers and developers in producing websites that facilitate usage of their websites by people with disabilities.  In our readings, we were provided with a link to these guidelines.  As I read these guidelines, I was surprised to see the issues these guidelines covered. (http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/)  For example, Guideline 2 covers the issue of color usage on a web site.  The guideline states that the text and graphics used on a website should be designed so that they may be viewed without color.  This guideline was established to enable people who are either color-blind or color-deficient and users who have devices that have non-color or non-visual displays to access websites.  It should be noted that these guidelines were recently finalized in December 2008.  (http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/)

Lastly, as I read through these guidelines I was intrigued by the concept of the blind using the internet.  I apologize for my ignorance, but I was always under the impression that since the blind are unable to see the computer screen they are unable to use the internet.  Of course, I was mistaken.  I decided to do some research on this subject and found an interesting website on designing web pages for the blind and a blog by a web developer, John F. Croston, III, discussing new technology tools used by the blind. 

Designing Web Pages for the Blind - http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/WebForBlind/start.htm

John F. Croston, III’s Blog – http://www.jfciii.com/blog/category/braille-reader/

I am still excited about continuing this journey (this class), but now that I know that there are tools and guidelines available so that everyone really can access the web, the feeling is still exhilarating!