NEWS ROOM : WSI NEWS YOU CAN USE
Web Site Accessiblity
Websites that are accessible to people with disabilities are the subject of
pending or enacted legislation in many of the countries in which we do business around the world. WSI is currently working to ensure our websites meet t he standards required by the various countries with Website Accessibility laws. P
lease read on
for more information.
What is Website Accessibility?
According to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the governing bodies of the World Wide Web, up to 20% of people are affected by some form of disability. A significant portion of people with disabilities can benefit from websites specifically designed to be more accessible. In the US alone, there are currently an estimated 52 million Americans who have cognitive, visual, hearing or physical disabilities which affect their ability to use computers and the Internet and the number is growing as people live longer. Even something as simple as the aging process,
which affects us all, can make using websites
significantly harder. Poor contrast between colors, small typefaces and unintuitive menu systems can make a website unreadable.
How do I find out more information?
Below is a summary of what is happening around the world with regards to Website Accessibility Guidelines for your information and reference. As you review the information below you will see each country may vary in what they call their Website Accessibility Guidelines. Many of the countries refer to their Website Accessibility requirements as either standards or guidelines
- it means the same as they are
providing you with direction on what is required to ensure your/your customers
' websites meet
the needs of disabled persons.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has established the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are the internationally accepted standards providing guidance on how to make websites accessible for people with disabilities.
The laws surrounding Website Accessibility vary throughout the world; most governments require that federal & state government sites meet accessibility standards.
Australia
Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) of 1992, website accessibility applies to private businesses as well as local, state and federal government agencies. For more information please visit the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission.
Canada
The Canadian Look and Feel Standards for the federal government and agencies websites are aligned with the W3C Web Content Accessibility Standards. For additional information please visit the Treasury Board of Canada.
European Union
The European Union member nations have adopted the W3C Content Accessibility Standards for all public (government) sites. The European Commission is currently preparing a new Communication on e-Accessibility for release in 2005. For additional information, please visit the European Commission Info Society and the European Disability Forum.
Ireland
The Irish Government has adopted requirements for all government departments and agencies to have their websites meet the W3C accessibility standards. For additional information please visit the Irish National Disability Authority IT Accessibility Guidelines.
United States
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that state and local governments provide equal access to their programs and services for the disabled. One way to meet these requirements is to ensure that government websites have accessible features for people with disabilities. As well, businesses are encouraged to voluntarily create accessible websites.
Under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, all federal government departments and agencies are required to offer accessible technologies to both employees and users of their services. For additional information please visit the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Federal Communications Commission.
Net Facts & Figures-
By 2007 there will be 1.1 billion Internet users worldwide. - Source: IDC, 2004
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Worldwide broadband subscribers exceeded 150 million in 2004. - Source: Point Topic, 2004
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Over 40% of all Americans have made a purchase online. - Source: NDP Group, 2004
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Over 75% of online consumers do not care whether an online store is run by a large or small company. - Source: TNS, 2004
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$1.6 trillion was made via e-commerce in 2003; $7.1 trillion is expected in 2007. - Source: IDC, 2004
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A recent UK study indicated that 82% of Internet users go online to research products and services. - Source: UK National Statistics Office 2004
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More than 60 million Europeans now shop online, an increase of 50% since 2003. - Source: Forrester, December 2004
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US online retail sales will more than double over the next six years, reaching $316 billion by 2010. - Source: Forrester, August 2004
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61% of small and mid-sized enterprises believe the Internet is a significant advertising medium. - Source: The Kelsey Group, November 2004
- In 2004, paid search advertising grew by 51% to $3.6 billion in the US alone. - Source: eMarketer 2004
