Accessibility and Interoperability
W3C standards ensure that websites are accessible to the widest range of users and will be compatible with future browser versions and other web-based systems.
Many web developers and platforms still do not pay much attention to Accessibility and Interoperability standards - yet they ensure that the widest possible audience has full access to your website. They help you to comply with Disability Discrimination legislation and they help to ensure that your site will be compatible with future versions of web browser software and new internet-enabled devices.
All or sites are built to comply with current W3C standards. Even when you edit the content yourself the WebCMS system ensures that the pages you save meet the appropriate standards.
What are the standards for and why should I bother?
- The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) makes it illegal for organisations to discriminate against disabled persons - for example by providing an inferior service. If your website is not complying with accessibility guidelines you may be discriminating against visitors with certain disabilities such as impaired vision or colour blindness.
- Reduced accessibility means loss of potential customers - there are roughly 8.5 million people in the UK with some form of disability and an estimated £40 billion combined disposable income.
- Current and future browser compatibility - you may also be making your site less accessible to users of certain types of browser software and devices - resulting in further potential customer losses. Websites conforming to W3C standards will be compatible with future releases of browser software - sites that do not conform may not display or function properly.
- Easier updating and reduced maintenance - as a result of a reduction in excessive mark-up and proprietry code. This often also leads to improved performance and download times.
- Easier integration of your pages and designs within dynamic content publishing software (e.g. Content Management) and other technical systems and services in the future.