Website Accessibility
Why does every website need to be accessible?
Accessibility has people at the centre, providing the support required on an individual basis as everyone's requirements are different. This includes physical accessibility as well as hidden accessibility requirements for people with mental disabilities. Hence, individuals have differing requirements to be able to access the Internet and websites.
Why Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) from W3C is important
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops international standards for the Web. Here's an explanation from W3C ..." The Web is fundamentally designed to work for all people, whatever their hardware, software, language, location, or ability. When the Web meets this goal, it is accessible to people with a diverse range of hearing, movement, sight, and cognitive abilities. Thus the impact of disability is radically changed on the Web because the Web removes barriers to communication and interaction that many people face in the physical world. However, when web sites, applications, technologies, or tools are badly designed, they can create barriers that exclude people from using the Web."
How we provide an accessible website
Cottage in the Dales endeavours to follow the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) at W3C to ensure that this website can be used by individuals to be as user friendly and accessible as possible. We have endeavoured to write this website in plain English, avoiding jargon. Do let us know if we haven't achieved this. All text uses simple and consistent headings, to make it easier to navigate. Please let us know if you have any queries or problems as we can always improve further.
Keyboard Input
Some people cannot use a keyboard mouse, including many older users with limited fine motor control. An accessible website does not rely on the mouse but rather makes all functionality available from the keyboard. Then people with can use assistive technologies that mimic the keyboard, such as speech input. (W3C)This service is not yet available on our website.
