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Re: Blatant abuse of the term 'accessibility'

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From: Simius Puer
Date: Apr 1, 2010 8:15AM

Hi Steve

You have to remember that 'accessibility' does have other meanings than 'Web
accessibility', all of which were around long before the Web even existed,
let along the WAI and WCAG etc.

I think in the case you've highlighted here, the website is not abusing the
'web term' but simply using the 'word' - I could be wrong, but I think they
are quite innocent.

There is not a lot that can be done about the charlatans that pop up. Even
some of the more credible consultancies I've dealt with have given out some
really bad advice or audited websites and given them the all-clear when
clearly they were dreadful (including ones advising the Government/Civil
Service here in Ireland).

It would be great to see the industry regulated but we are talking about the
Web here - not exactly the best regulated industry in the world. If it was
we probably would never have seen the bubble that led to the initial .com
bust that wiped out so many start-ups in the 80s. On the other hand it is
argued that regulation stifles innovation - not that I agree with that, I
just think it stifles those that want to do things "quick and nasty". Those
people are the ones who are likely to fail anyway, and have introduced so
many bad practices that we are still trying to stamp out years later (tables
for layout, javascript-only menus, "convert to HTML" in Word etc....)

I'm ranting now aren't I? oops!!

Going back to your original point Steve - if you do see any sites making a
false claim in the UK let the RNIB know. They are very proactive and have
even run name-and-shame campaigns which have had great effect on the likes
of supermarket and banking websites.

And if the website claims to be accessible and was provided by an outside
agency don't be afraid to approach the company that owns the website
direct. I've done this and sometimes you get no response or thanks, other
times they are very keen to understand and fix problems (not to mention
asking their supplier why they did not deliver what was promised in the
first place!).