Accessibility and Web Standards
Over the last few years, web standards have emerged as a primary concern for web developers and designers. More a more designers are realising the benefits of standards compliance and here at SciWebUK we are no exception. By writing code that complies with the W3C enables our sites to be viewable by people using a wide variety of machines to access the Internet.
Hand-in-hand with standards compliance is awareness of accessibility issues surrounding web sites. Not all users are viewing the web using a PC running Windows XP Professional and Internet Explorer as their main browser. In fact many different methods are now available for people to get information from the web e.g. mobile phones, PDAs etc. It is important that alternative means to access information are catered for using accessibility techniques. One important group of people that this aids most are those who have a disability.
In the UK, SENDA regulations were introduced during 2002. Educational establishments must make 'reasonable adjustments' to allow all students full access to educational information regardless of their circumstances. This includes web sites. SciWebUK strives to make all of its sites accessible to as large an audience as possible.