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caz -> WAI Web Accessibility Business Case (8/28/2005 7:40:17)
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The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Education and Outreach Working Group (EOWG) has published Developing a Web Accessibility Business Case for Your Organization
The 5-page resource suite describes social, technical, financial, legal and policy aspects of Web accessibility. It is designed to help organizations develop their own customized business case for Web accessibility. It provides text that can be used as is, as well as guidance on identifying the most relevant factors for a specific organization.
There are initial costs for organizations implementing Web accessibility; however, the initial costs are often offset by a full return on investment. In order to be willing to invest the initial costs, many organizations need to understand the social, technical, and financial benefits of Web accessibility and the expectations of the returns throughout the organization.
For instance a Web design business might emphasize:
* the competitive advantage and financial benefits of being able to meet increasing requests for accessible Web design
* the technical benefits and long term financial benefits to clients of providing sites according to Web standards
* the public relations benefits of being able to support clients' interests in demonstrating social responsibility
While a specific business case for Web accessibility might emphasize a few aspects, it often is important to include other aspects as well. For example:
* an organization with a clear legal requirement for Web accessibility might still need a solid cost/benefit analysis to get management to commit sufficient resources for an effective Web accessibility program
* some commercial organizations might be more responsive to a social responsibility argument than to a standard cost/benefit analysis when committing to Web accessibility
The resource suite presents aspects of the business case under the following headings:
Social factors
Technical factors
Financial factors
Legal and Policy factors.
Among the many resources that are gathered into one place are:
Information about evaluation, repair, and transformation tools useful for Web content developers and Web users who wish to make the Web more accessible.
A signpost to international policies regarding accessibility, with this qualifier,
"This page is not a comprehensive or definitive resource for all applicable laws and policies regarding Web accessibility. The information contained on this page is not legal advice. If you have questions about the applicability of the referenced laws to specific situations, please consult legal authorities in the appropriate jurisdiction."
Policy overview
This is not of course, a quick easy read, nor is it a crib sheet but will repay study; whether you are responsible for web design for your employer or are a jobbing web designer looking to extend your skillset.
Bookmark it. Web accessibility business case
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