WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

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Cost of Web accessibility, yet again

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From: Glenda
Date: Oct 5, 2004 2:06PM

Hi all,

A web developer has offered to pitch my services ( Web accessibility
audits ) to his clients. I've prepared a quote to do an audit for one of
his client's sites. However he would like to know the TOTAL COST for making
a site accessible. I understand business needs to know the bottom line
before undertaking a project. But, in my mind, there are determining
factors: level of accessibility adopted [this will be totally voluntary on
their part], site size and complexity, when accessibility will be
implemented [new site or retrofit an existing site], is training in Web
Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 [or equivalent accessible guidelines]
necessary, etc.

Asking the TOTAL cost before I complete the audit, to me, is like asking a
car mechanic how much repairs will cost before the mechanic even knows what
is wrong with the car.

In order to satisfy, as much as possible, the business need to know the
bottom line before proceeding, is there any information out there on the
costs to retrofit a site? For example, adding an ALT takes X Time,
separating structure from presentation takes Y time, etc.

And, of course, I need this information as soon as possible -- like there is
any other time on my watch!

I anxiously await your enlightening feedback.

Cheers,
Glenda
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