22 January 2007

Standard Internet pages are "notoriously difficult" for individuals with visual impairments to read, one expert has noted.

Arnawa Widagda, writing in the Jakarta Post, stated that some web designers will not adopt World Wide Web Consortium standards when creating a site - potentially excluding some users.

Additionally, some graphics and multimedia functions which are available online will not be compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies, making them impossible to access for visually impaired web users, asserted the analyst.

"The advantage of providing a website that is friendly to screen readers are plentiful … in addition to making websites more accessible, navigation will likely be simpler and much easier to understand," remarked Mr Widagda.

Last week, head of disability access services at the Royal National Institute for the Blind Steven Tyler warned that some new web design technology can be harmful to a site's accessibility, reported The Age.

© Adfero Ltd

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