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The Web is an increasingly important resource in many aspects of life, among them, education, employment,
government, commerce, health care, recreation. It is essential that the Web be accessible in order to provide
equal access and equal opportunity to people with disabilities. An accessible Web can also help people with
disabilities more actively participate in society. This project provides a straightforward way for organizations
to test their content with disabled end users. Organizations set up their tests online and submit them directly
to disabled testers in our database. Testers are then free to complete these tests on their own time, earning
money for each test they complete. As tests are completed by users, organizations can view test results, web page
logs and other information in real time.
When sites are correctly designed, developed and edited, all users can have equal access to information and
functionality. For example, when a site is coded with semantically meaningful
HTML
, with textual equivalents provided for images and with links named meaningfully, this helps blind users using
text-to-speech software and/or text-to-Braille hardware. When text and images are large and/or enlargable, it is
easier for users with poor sight to read and understand the content. When links are underlined (or otherwise
differentiated) as well as coloured, this ensures that
color blind
users will be able to notice them. When
clickable links and areas are large, this helps users who cannot control a
mouse with precision. When pages
are coded so that users can navigate by means of the
keyboard alone, or a single
switch access device alone,
this helps users who cannot use a mouse or even a standard keyboard. When videos are
closed captioned or a
sign language
version is available, deaf and hard of hearing users can understand video.
When flashing effects are avoided or made optional, users prone to
seizures caused by these effects are
not put at risk. And when content is written in plain language and illustrated with instructional diagrams
and animations, users with
dyslexia and
learning difficulties are better able to
understand the content. When sites are correctly built and maintained, all of these users can be accommodated
while not impacting on the usability of the site for non-disabled users.
Web pages can present barriers to people with physical, visual, hearing, and cognitive/neurological disabilities.
Common accessibility problems on Web sites include images without alternative text, lack of alternative text for
image map hot-spots, misleading use of structural elements on pages, uncaptioned audio or undescribed video, lack
of alternative information for users who cannot access frames or scripts, tables that are difficult to decipher
when linearized, and sites with poor color contrast.
Web accessibility enables access to essential information and learning. Our moral responsibility is to ensure
that people's ability to participate in the information age is not limited by a disability. Making the Web
accessible enables people with disabilities to participate equally. We are economically interdependent, and
increasing participation in the economy is good for everyone.
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