19 January 2007
The assortment of disabilities and challenges faced by a wide range of Internet users makes the creation of accessible websites an "enormous" challenge, according to an online accessibility expert.
Kimberly Krause Berg compared her own website viewing preferences with those of an albino friend of hers, who has different eyesight requirements.
The example is a "perfect reminder" of the different needs of Internet users – and it should also be remembered that Internet accessibility is not merely a matter for blind, physically handicapped or deaf people.
Writing for WebProNews, Ms Krause Berg remarked: "There are all types of limitations, including being colour blind, or coping with a disease that renders mouse movement impossible or painful to do."
She concluded by saying that the "sheer scope" of making website design accessible for all is something that represents a continuing challenge for web designers.
The Royal National Institute for Blind states that there are no "best" font sizes or background colours to make websites more readable – but rather they should be built so that users can define their own preferences through their browser or PC settings.
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