Weblog #8: March 29, 2005

  The readings on accessibility revealed aspects of web-use that I had never really considered. Unless they know someone who is disabled, people without disabilities normally don't think about the hardships those disabilities entail. This of course applies not only to web-use but to life in general.  Modified curbs along sidewalks and  entrances to buildings altered for wheelchair access are means to accessibility that we have come to take for granted. Before these modifications were required by law, most people never really considered the restraints on everyday life represented by stairs or streetside curbs. Given the importance of the internet, it stands to reason that accessibility to the web should be given similar consideration.
  This week's readings point out that accessibility requires different modifications depending on the kind of disability being addressed. Obviously, there are different requirements for visually impaired people as opposed to those with impaired motor skills. Particulary interesting was the site demonstrating the kinds of accessibility issues different disabled people face and the site which sampled several kinds of screen readers. The readings provided no small degree of consciousness-raising but the question remains as to just how much effort and resources should web-designers expend to render their sites accessible to disabled users. Perhaps this too will someday be addressed by Congress, if it hasn't already done so.
  Regarding a model for my site, I have changed my project to focus on the exploits of my father-in-law during World War II. During spring break I looked over a vast amount of source material including letters, pictures, newspapers, etc. and decided that this might be the basis for an interesting site which would not raise the same copyright issues I had with TV debates. So far the site I like best as a model is http://timewitnesses.org which is simple enough to be feasible while covering material similar to the site I would like to do.