Accessibility
Writing for the Web is about increasing the effectiveness, accessibility and usability of web content for users. This means ensuring content for screen delivery is:
- accessible to all users; and
- written in a way that caters for how users read on screen.
What is accessibility?
The Australian Human Rights Commission defines accessible web design as:
“…the philosophy and practice of designing websites so that they can be navigated and read by everyone, regardless of location, experience, or the type of computer technology used.”
Making it easy for all online users
Online content is comprised of information and services provided by websites. It is important that all website visitors can easily locate and read online content:
- no matter what disabilities or impairments may affect their physical or cognitive access to content - visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive and neurological disabilities;
- no matter what technological methods they use to access content - dial-up, broadband, images, styles, scripts switched off or on, high resolution monitors or low resolution monitors; and
- no matter what their changing abilities may be - illness or ageing.
Why is accessibility important?
ECU’s aim is to ensure our online information and services enable equal access for all people, including those with disabilities.
Common practices to ensure equal access for all people include:
- equitable access to services, activities and facilities; and
- information is made reasonably available in accessible formats.
For more information about website validation for accessibility, see our Resources web pages.