Accessibility

Website accessibility isn't just for people with disabilities. Everyone benefits from a properly designed and organized layout. For years, CODA Multimedia has been providing accessible website's on request - but now you don't have to request it, or pay extra for it.

US Section 508 standards in website accessibility are now provided, at no extra charge, on all website's developed by CODA Multimedia.

What are the benefits of an accessible site layout.

1. Your website's are easier to manage.
2. Your website will be compatible with new browsing technologies.
3. Your website will appear higher in search engine rankings.
4. The download time of your Website will be significantly improved.
5. The usability of your website will be enhanced.
6. You'll gain good publicity.
7. Your site won't cause your business to incur bad press (or legal fees).
8. You'll increase your site's reach.

Let's look at #8 in more detail.

Increase Reach via Accessibility
" Disabled people don't access my Website, Why should I care?"

Check out these statistics
(These are UK Stats - however the % will be similar around the world):

• There are 8.6 million registered disabled people in the UK, totalling 14% of the population (source: DRC)
• One in 12 men, and one in 200 women, has some form of colour blindness, totalling 9% of the UK population (source: Institution of Electrical Engineers)
• Two million UK residents have a sight problem -- that's 4% of the population (source: RNIB)
• There are 12 million people aged 60 or over -- some 21% of the UK population (source: UK government)

Now, there's bound to be some overlap between these groups, but if you add up the numbers, you get a total of 48% of the UK population. That's right -- 48% of the population of the UK, not to mention those of other countries, could potentially face problems using your Website.

Beyond Disabilities

Non-disabled people can also experience difficulties on Website's. Not everyone uses the latest version of Internet Explorer, with all the plug-ins and programs that are required for them to have optimal access to every site they come across.

If your Website relies on images, Flash or JavaScript, and fails to provide alternatives, then numerous Web users will be unable to access your site.

Users on slow connections regularly turn images off to enable a quicker download time. Some browsers, such as the text-only Lynx browser, do not display images at all.
Not every user has downloaded the latest Flash plugin that is needed to view the site. Additionally, the download time on Flash Website's is often so long that low bandwidth users lose patience and don't even wait to see the content. Remember, just 21% of Web users in Canada and the US are connected to the Internet via broadband.

JavaScript is unsupported by about 4% of Web users, either because they've turned it off to prevent pop-up ads, or because their browsers don't support it. Not to mention - Web TV, mobile phones, and PDA's have limited support for large images, Flash and JavaScript.

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If you need to meet higher standards in accessibility, CODA Multimedia can provide that as well. There are 3 levels higher than section 508 - we have experience in all of these.

Section 508 is a beginning - and now it's included with ALL SITES DEVELOPED by CODA Multimedia