Barriers to Internet Access for Persons with Disabilities. By. Dr. Margret Murugami and Lubna Mazrui Dept. Special Needs Education Kenyatta University

Introduction The Internet has become an important channel for information and communication worldwide. The Internet has become an important channel for information and communication worldwide. The Internet can be of great benefit to persons with disabilities. The Internet can be of great benefit to persons with disabilities.

CTD Benefits often not reaped by persons with disabilities due to barriers to Internet access and usage. Benefits often not reaped by persons with disabilities due to barriers to Internet access and usage. This presentation will focus on the barriers to Web access for persons with disabilities, and how these can be overcome This presentation will focus on the barriers to Web access for persons with disabilities, and how these can be overcome

Barriers: A web design which is incompatible with some assistive technology products. A web design which is incompatible with some assistive technology products.

CTD Woman using head-mounted stylus and foot-controlled track ball

Barriers CTD A web design that does not accommodate keyboard only inputs. A web design that does not accommodate keyboard only inputs. Lack of text equivalents for non- text Web content. Lack of text equivalents for non- text Web content.

Barriers CTD Inaccessible aspects of social networks. Inaccessible aspects of social networks. Poor web site organization and layout. Poor web site organization and layout. A web design that does not allow for user customization. A web design that does not allow for user customization. Lack of captions and transcripts for audio content Lack of captions and transcripts for audio content

Solutions Developing or adopting guidelines for the design of accessible web sites. Developing or adopting guidelines for the design of accessible web sites. Providing knowledge and skills to web designers and developers on web accessibility. Providing knowledge and skills to web designers and developers on web accessibility.

CTD solutions Soliciting expertise on Web accessibility from the West. Soliciting expertise on Web accessibility from the West. Research projects. Research projects. Enhancing collaborative relationships with various groups of stakeholders in the disability sector. Enhancing collaborative relationships with various groups of stakeholders in the disability sector.

Conclusion: Universally designed web sites can be created with low financial costs. Universally designed web sites can be created with low financial costs. Working towards universally designed web sites is a worthwhile investment of resources. Working towards universally designed web sites is a worthwhile investment of resources. Stakeholders share responsibility, but CCK must lead. Stakeholders share responsibility, but CCK must lead.

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