The Business Case for Web Accessibility Trainer’s Name Trainer’s Title Phone Number /Web Address ADA Trainer Network Module 7g 1
Disclaimer Information, materials, and/or technical assistance are intended solely as informal guidance, and are neither a determination of your legal rights or responsibilities under the ADA, nor binding on any agency with enforcement responsibility under the ADA. The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center is authorized by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to provide information, materials, and technical assistance to individuals and entities that are covered by the ADA. The contents of this document were developed under a grant from the Department of Education, NIDRR grant number H133 A However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. 2
Why Make Your Web Pages Accessible? Who does your audience consist of? – Students (current and prospective) – Faculty – Staff – Alumni – Parents – Community – World 3 EVERYONE
Why Make Your Web Pages Accessible? Who does your audience consist of? – Consumers – Contractors – Investors – Employees – Management – Community – World 4 EVERYONE
Who Benefits? All users Especially – People with disabilities – Aging population 5
Disability and Your Market Segment Disability occurs in about 20% of the population The number will vary according to specific age group Remember, your website often reaches markets beyond your specific target market 6
Our Aging Population 7 In 2010, the majority of the US population will be 45 years and older Brian Basset, Cartoonist and creator of syndicated cartoon
Prevalence Rates of Disability Disability Type Ages 21 – 64Ages 65 – 74Ages 75+ Sensory3 percent10 percent23.6 percent Physical8 percent23.4 percent40 percent Cognitive4.8 percent7.7 percent17.4 percent 8 StatsRRTC, 2006
The Case for Plain Language: Literacy Rates 48% of the U.S. population has low literacy for a variety of reasons 30% of web users have low literacy Difficulty with basic reading and language skills are the most common LD. 80% of people with LD have trouble with reading 9 NCES, 2003; Nielson, 2005; & LD Online, 2011
Business Benefits Increased market share and audience reach – Cost savings or an opportunity to profit! – Improved accessibility = improved usability Making your site more usable for ALL people – Improved search engine ranking – Repurpose for multiple formats or devices – Faster access for low-bandwidth users 10 W3C,2010
Business Benefits Improved efficiency in operational processes and technical operations – Reduced site maintenance costs – Content for multiple devices – May reduce server load 11 W3C,2010
Business Benefits Demonstrate social responsibility Reduce legal liability Carryover benefits of universal design 12 W3C,2010
Survey of HR Representatives: Use of the Web 13 Bruyére, Erickson, & Schramm,2003
Study of E-Recruiting Web Sites Evaluated job searching, resume submittal and online application for accessibility Job BoardsCorporate sites Section 508 evaluation* All web pages failed Vast majority of pages failed *Based on Rehabilitation Act, Section 508 Standards for Web Accessibility Bruyére, Erickson, & Schramm,
Admissions Application Financial Aid Course Registration Bursar Billing Course Catalog Class Schedule Online Classes Erickson, 2002 % of Colleges Offering Online Services 15
Community College Student Recruiting Evaluated 30 Community College websites – Home page – Disability services page – Online admissions application – Link to Federal Financial Aid application – Class schedule <1% of sampled web pages met Section 508 standards 16 Erickson, 2002
Mid-Atlantic ADA Center TransCen, Inc. 401 North Washington Street, Suite 450 Rockville, MD Toll-Free: (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV) Telephone Fax TTY Webwww.ADAinfo.orgwww.ADAinfo.org The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from the Department of Education, NIDRR grant number H133 A However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. 17