Accessibility means enabling people with disabilities to participate
in substantial life activities, including the use of services, products,
and information.
Removing barriers to access often results in benefits for
many people — not only those with disabilities. For example,
curb-cut ramps benefit wheelchair users as well as people on bicycles
and those pushing shopping carts or baby carriages.
Designing accessible software has similar benefits for a wide
range of users. Solutions that use the keyboard instead of the mouse
aid in keyboard-intensive tasks. Visual cues help hearing-impaired
users as well as those in noisy offices or using portable computers
in public places.
U.S. Government statistics show that there is a growing market
for accessible computer products. Approximately 40 million Americans
have a disability of some type, and as the population ages, more
and more of the population will develop age-related disabilities
(25% by age 55; 50% by age 65).
Not only is providing access the right thing to do, section
508 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act calls for it to be required
in federal contracts. In the commercial sector, the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) calls for similar considerations.
Designing for accessibility also helps your customers meet
their current and emerging requirements for accessible products.
Printable version
