[html4all] Accessible to whom (or to which groups)

[Steven Faulkner]

Hi Philip,

>it will remain an uphill battle to gain support
>for the precepts of acessibility all the while there are
>suggesstions (in some cases, very overt suggestions) that
>accessibility is "for the benefit of those with disabilities"

Accessibility is "for the benefit of those with disabilities"

that is why the WAI states

"The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) develops strategies,
guidelines, and resources to help make the Web accessible to people
with disabilities. "

This is a viewpoint that I agree with. and it is not an interpretation
of accessibility that is confined to myself and the WAI.

That is not to say that other people cannot benefit from the measures
taken to ensure that the web is accessible to people with
disabilities, and in many istances they do.






On 29/10/2007, Philip Taylor (Webmaster) <P.Taylor at rhul.ac.uk> wrote:
>
>
> Joshue O Connor wrote:
> > Hi Phil,
> >
> >> And that is
> >> why I dislike the divisive language of WCAG 1.0 and
> >> WCAG 2.0
> >
> > I never thought of it as divisive.
>
> Let me start by apologising to those whom my previous messages
> upset, and in particular Laura, whom I know is worried about
> the possibility of a schism within the group.  As I hope has
> become clear now that the dust has settled, it was never my
> intention to offend (and certainly not to accuse anyone of
> racism : it is still unclear to me how anyone could have
> though otherwise), but rather to point out that -- in my
> opinion -- it will remain an uphill battle to gain support
> for the precepts of acessibility all the while there are
> suggesstions (in some cases, very overt suggestions) that
> accessibility is "for the benefit of those with disabilities"
> rather than "for the benefit of all".
>
> [...]
>
> >> I would like all of us who believe
> >> in equality and equitability of treatment to state
> >> that we believe that the web should be accessible
> >> to /all/, not just to one particular group.
> >
> > And me. But in order to do that minority groups, like people with
> > disabilities, have needs that must be addressed. This takes up time,
> > resources, energy etc and some may say that it is possibly
> > disproportionate, or skewed,  if a minority group require extra
> > attention and extra resources. However, this is necessary and in a sane
> > society - the way it should be. Lest we just become solipsistic,
> > selfish, impersonal and uncaring.
>
> With all of which, I too agree.  The problem (IMHO) is that
> not everyone shares these views, and whilst it might be nice
> to think we could gain accessibility-for-all through the
> goodwill of those who /do/ share these views, it is more
> realistic (IMHO) to accept that we will achieve accessibility-for-all
> /faster/ if even the non-altruistic can perceive some benefit.
>
> ** Phil.
>
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>


-- 
with regards

Steve Faulkner
Technical Director - TPG Europe
Director - Web Accessibility Tools Consortium

www.paciellogroup.com | www.wat-c.org
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