What are the benefits for making our web site and information technology accessible?
Beyond compliance with legal mandates, the use of accessible design is beneficial to a wide spectrum of the population. As with many improvements intended for people with disabilities, accessible technology can benefit users whether they have a disability or not. The use of ramps, automatic doors, and elevators by the general population illustrates this principle. In terms of information technology, accessible web pages are useful to all because they are easier to navigate, easier to use, and faster to download. Accessible hardware and software also address the needs of an aging workforce. Accessible course design provides access to learning for students with disability, and it can also improve our ability to reach and teach a diverse student population with different learning styles and abilities. All of these factors point to the fact that ensuring access to technology for individuals with disabilities is not only the right thing to do but the smart thing to do.
