How important is accessibility on the web? Until now, it seems most web developers (and designers) have ignored the accessibility issue and dove into fashion over function. Now, with the use of screen readers, magnifiers, and various other tools that help users search the web, accessibility is a huge issue. Unfortunately, technology has also stifled this process.

For instance, WebAIM’s Creating Accessible Macromedia Flash Content section gives an overview of the flaws of flash and also gives alternative solutions. So, what’s the problem? There are ways to get around accessibility and get the certifications and compliance stamps of approval. The problem is time and effort, but also education.

Unfortunately people get lazy, myself included when creating a website or other web paraphernalia. The last thing (literally) I think of is accessibility. And of course, by thinking about it last, it is more difficult to go back through and change all that has been done to be compliant.

Deadlines are also a large part of the problem. Most people in the biz also think of accessibility last and lack the manpower or incentive to make whatever site dot come compliant.

And the solution? Theoretically the solution should be an easy one — plan for accessibility. In a perfect, bland, boring, 1995 world of text only based web pages with an animated GIF thrown here or there, this would not really be an issue. Now, however, with the advent of Flash, PDF, bad OCR, pretty pictures, music and whatnot on the web, things can get a little difficult.

So, people are lazy…the real issue is lack of education. The first time I had even thought about accessibility was not too long ago, and now it seems to be a priority to figure out how to work that into everything I design. I don’t think the majority of designers out there think too deeply about it, or even know what it is and the ones that do, are the ones that must for their specific company. I do admit with the research I have conducted recently there seems to be a bigger buzz about it now more than ever, and it looks like things are moving in the right direction.

There are a plethora of websites out there with information regarding standards and compliance. I’m not going to name them all, but here are the big ones:
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative
WebAIM Web Accessibility in Mind
Section 508
Adobe Accessibility Resource Center

There are just as many examples of accessible web sites currently in existence. (and again, I’m not going to list them all, but this one is a great example):  J.K. Rowling Official Website

I ran across something today that I found interesting. I am sure, at one time or another, everyone has seen this: (or something close to it)

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Suspendisse ac risus ut velit vestibulum dignissim. Integer in magna. Donec ut est sed diam luctus ultrices. Quisque pretium fringilla nisi. Praesent interdum. Morbi est. Fusce tincidunt mauris non purus. Proin sollicitudin est et ligula. Phasellus pharetra magna eu pede. Suspendisse potenti. 

I am also fairly certain that many have looked at it and thought “What the heck is that, and is it a real language, is it saying something?” (My boss asked me that once.) Anyway, apparently, Lorem Ipsum text has quite the history, dating back to 45 BC. Our beloved philosopher buddy Cicero is the originator of the (once thought) nonsensical text. His book, “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” (The Extremes of Good and Evil), contains the culprit text, which happened to be discovered by a Latin professor out of Virginia.

Ok, so I’m not going to steal the thunder from the people who are behind my little lesson of the day, so you can read up on this topic at Lorem Ipsum - All the Facts and while you’re at it, generate your own Lorem Ipsum!

The actual nonsensical text apparently was originated around the 1500s and was used much like we use it today, as filler text. And, believe it or not, there is a method behind the madness. Designers and layout artists have been filling pages with lorem ipsum for the right reason - text distracts viewers from design elements and layout. If a person is able to view and understand the text shown to them, they are visually attracted to those particular areas. So, it really does have a purpose…it is responsible for allowing designers to show a final product to a client, or respective authority without attention given where it need not be.

For more info on the Lorem Ipsum riddle, check out:Wikipedia: Lorem Ipsum.

Self promotion and self marketing are the most important things you can do for your business. Many companies and freelancers still believe that their website will work for them. Rarely does this happen (for many reasons). Many companies know nothing about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and fewer - those that do know about the importance of SEO - cannot afford to pay an outside company to optimize for them, so, in a nutshell, their website gets poor rankings. My point is not to get off the subject with SEO techniques, I will leave that for another day. Still, if you want to get noticed, promotion is the way to go. Whitepapers, press releases and newsletters are great ways to draw attention to yourself.

So, maybe you are a small business, consisting of one employee. The words “white paper” and “press release” may seem scary and too much for a small company to take on. The truth of the matter is that these are creations that have little to no monetary investment. If you can write, you can create these documents.

There are many articles written on writing white papers and press releases. For a nice run down of what a white paper should contain, take a look at Study Guides and Strateges:Writing:Whitepapers.

Though white papers are meant for divulging what a technology, product or service and do for potential clients, press releases are something entirely different. Press releases can be used for just about anything - new product launches, a website re-design, any type of interesting news about your company. For instance, lets say you are a freelance web designer and you landed a new project. Create a press release that co-incides with the launch of your client’s website. The benefit is two-fold. You advertise your client’s new site, and also yourself as a vendor for design. After you write the press release, you can post it on a release forum such as Click2Newsites or Pressbox.co.uk. There are many more out there, and this is an easy way to educate people about your company and services you provide.

In addition to white papers and press releases, newsletters are another easy way to get noticed - and, if you offer an area for subscriptions on your website, you can easily build your own marketing database the legal way. A newsletter is a good way to feature not only your company and services, but also your expertise. In a newsletter you can discuss current trends in your field in addition to discussing services or other company news. The sky is the limit on this one. By opening up to your clients (or potential clients) you are creating a sense of security by letting them in on your business. Newsletters are also a pretty good way of networking with other companies in your industry. You would be surprised how many graphic designers look at the competition for advice and inspiration.

Now you have some basic tools at your disposal - get out there and sell yourself!