1 September 2006

High levels of usability and accessibility should exist in tandem to give a website the best results, claims an expert at webpronews.

While it may not be possible for all accessibility functions to integrate with usability goals, the two should both be employed to create the effective website, states Jim Lerza.

Although some usability features, such as Flash-based MP3 players may not be 100 per cent compatible with accessibility aids such as screen readers, it is important that a balance between the two principles is struck, the analyst asserts.

"We have determined that some usability features can restrict your site's accessibility, we can ascertain that any steps taken towards accessibility should never restrict usability," Mr Lerza states.

"While usability may be our primary objective, we must be sure that we're not eliminating visitors," he adds.

Jim Lerza is an expert web designer, who works for various companies and writes for several different publications.

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