Are you turning people away from your web site?
07:18, 19 November 2008
.. Posted in techculture and tech to help.. Link
Is your organization committed to welcoming everyone to its web site? Providing equal access to your web site is every bit as important as providing equal access to your nonprofits services, right?
Your organization's web site should follow the guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) for web accessibility. In addition, U.S.A. Section 508, an amendment made to the Americans with Disabilities Act, requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities. The U.S.A. Section 508 guidelines do not currently require nonprofits, universities and other organizations to make their web sites accessible, but what kind of message are you sending to the public, your clients and your donors if your organization does not comply?
For tools to help you with web accessibility, go to Google and type in
Is my web site accessible
You will then retrieve a list of a variety of resources that can help you with accessibility issues. Also, ask your web site manager if he or she understands accessibility standards and how accessible your organization's web site is; request a report based on the W3C and Section 508.
Also see Knowbility.org, a national nonprofit organization based in Austin, Texas working to ensure barrier-free I.T.
Jayne Cravens
