My Quest for An Accessible Web Site

Revised with new information February 4, 2020

Back in the 1990s, when I first started this web site, it was accessible to anyone with Internet access and a web browser. For years after that, I was able to keep it accessible for everyone, no matter how fast their Internet connection, no matter what kind of computer they were using, no matter how old the computer they were using. In fact, when people first started using PDAs, the precursor to smart phones, my web site was accessible on those too.

I am a user of old technology. I don't upgrade my computer every other year. I keep using it until it becomes almost unusable - that's usually at about the six or seven year mark, when I can no longer upgrade the operating system. I knew early on that throwing computers away so frequently was bad for the environment. Plus, I hated going to websites and being told that my browser was too old to access the site. RIDICULOUS. I also wanted people who didn't have fast Internet connections - yes, there are such people - to be able to read my information. I wanted to reach the largest audience and the maximum number of potential customers as possible. I don't want to leave anyone out!

I also knew that I wanted the site to be readable and navigable to people who are blind and use a screen reader to read out the content on a page. Or have low vision and use software that magnifies a page. Or people with mobility issues who use assistive technology that works only if your site is navigable with a keyboard only - no mouse. I'm not a web designer nor a developer, I have no training, and as the Internet has become more sophisticated, I have not been able to keep up - and while I've done my best, I know my web site is now no longer accessible for people with disabilities.

Like thousands -- millions -- of other people, if I can't use your web site, your live cast, your streaming audio, your online whatever, because you've configured such to be accessible only to a particular version of software or just one kind of device, I'm going to just move on. Unfortunately, my web site is now something not everyone can experience.

I'm working on it, I am. I am trying to learn and apply accessibility design principles myself, without being a web designer nor a web developer. I already use only descriptive links. I'm working to improve my alt text (it's there, but not always what it should be), to make sure every page has an appropriate title, and to use H1, H2, H3 headings. Those are all things I can do, with minimal knowledge of web design and development.

It's going to take awhile. But consider that my situation is what a lot of nonprofit organizations, charities and small businesses find ourselves in: we can't ever afford a full-time web manager, let alone a fully-trained web designer who understands accessible web site design. Myself and these other organizations will never have the skills and staffing needed for a fully accessible website.

But I'm going to keep trying... hope everyone else will too.

I don't have the option to involve volunteers in my quest for accessibility - I'm a consultant, not a nonprofit organization, and I therefore feel it would be unethical to recruit unpaid staff to assist me. But if you are a nonprofit, Volunteers Can QUICKLY Help Your Program To Be More Accessible Online.

Here's what I'm using to guide me: these accessibility recommendations from the State of Illinois (they are easy to understand).

Also see Web Design Guidelines for Low Bandwidth. This resource is from Aptivate, an NGO providing IT services for international development.

Also see these tips for users of older technology

See more resources re: Outreach & Engagement, With and Without Technology

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