M2- Web accessibility

Question 1

What is the importance of web accessibility for a web developer?

Answer 1

Web accessibility is crucial for a web developer because it ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities, can access and enjoy the internet. A web developer needs to build websites in a way that improves accessibility, so all users can understand, navigate, and interact with the content.

Question 2

When was the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) launched, and who is behind it?

Answer 2

The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) was launched in 1997. It is an initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), which was founded by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the World Wide Web.

Question 3

What are some of the different types of disabilities that web accessibility addresses?

Answer 3

Web accessibility addresses a wide range of disabilities, including:

• Visual Disabilities: Blindness, low vision, and color blindness.
• Auditory Disabilities: Deafness and hearing loss.
• Cognitive and Neurological Disabilities: Dyslexia, ADHD, and epilepsy.
• Physical and Speech Disabilities: Motor impairments, speech impairments.

Question 4

What are the international standards for web accessibility?

Answer 4

The international standards for web accessibility are developed by the W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). The most widely recognized standards are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide guidelines for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities.

Question 5

Why is web accessibility becoming a requirement in many industries?

Answer 5

Web accessibility is becoming a requirement in many industries due to legal mandates and regulations that aim to ensure equal access to information and services for individuals with disabilities. For example, in 2016, the European Union approved the Web Accessibility Directive, which requires websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies to be accessible to those with disabilities.

Question 6

What are some examples of assistive technologies used by people with disabilities to access the web?

Answer 6

• Screen Reader Software: This software reads the content of websites and everything happening on the device. It is used by blind and vision-impaired users and those with reading or learning difficulties.
• Speech Recognition Software: This software turns spoken words into computer commands or dictates inputting text. It is useful for people who may not be able to use a mouse or keyboard due to physical or neurological disabilities.
• Subtitles and Video Scripts: These provide assistance to those with audio and visual disabilities by allowing them to access the content of videos.

Question 7

What is the Accessible Rich Internet Application (ARIA) specification?

Answer 7

The Accessible Rich Internet Application (ARIA) specification is a set of techniques developed by the WAI to improve accessibility for complex web applications. ARIA provides roles, states, and properties that can be added to HTML elements to enhance the accessibility of dynamic web content and applications.