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

[Steven Faulkner]

Hi Peter,
While it is an uphill battle, it does not make it any easier by
pretending that accessibility is something it is not in order to get
support for it, because the very issues that make it difficult are
those that make it worthwhile.


On 29/10/2007, XStandard Vlad Alexander <vlad.alexander at xstandard.com> wrote:
> Philip wrote:
> > it will remain an uphill battle to gain support
> > for the precepts of acessibility all the while there are
> > suggesstions ... that accessibility is "for the benefit
> > of those with disabilities" rather than "for the
> > benefit of all".
> I agree with this assessment.
>
> Regards,
> -Vlad
>
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> From: Philip Taylor (Webmaster)
> Date: 2007-10-29 9:10 AM
> >
> > 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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> > https://www.html4all.org/wiki
> >
>
>
>
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-- 
with regards

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

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