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Coding for Standards--comments please

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From: Bryce.Fields@kyvu.org
Date: Mar 17, 2004 7:57AM


I have a question and am interested in hearing everyone's comments. The
burden of making a site accessible has always been placed with the
developer. However, if I build a site to conform with a published known set
of open standards that, if followed by both myself and browser manufacturers
would produce accessible sites, why is the burden on me when the browser
technology fails to adhere to standards? If I am a carpenter, and I build
an access ramp to a building a specified standard width, is it my
responsibility if someone tries to use a wheelchair that is wider than that
standard?

And before anyone thinks this is a rant against a particular visual browser
manufacturer, it's not. The question came to me while researching aural
browsers and screen readers. Is it our fault their technology is
substandard?

Bryce Fields
Web Developer

Kentucky Virtual University
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
http://www.kyvu.org/ <http://www.kyvu.org/>; - http://www.cpe.ky.gov/
<http://www.cpe.ky.gov/>;

1-502-573-5114 ext 132

"Do or do not. There is no try." -- Yoda


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