What and Why of Accessibility (Universal Design)

What is Accessibility?

  • Accessibility is the practice of making your websites usable by as many people as possible.
  • Accessibility means people can access services, devices, products, etc. regardless of disabilities.
  • Accessibility is strongly related to universal design which is the process of creating products that are usable by people with the widest possible range of abilities, operating within the widest possible range of situations.

Why is Accessibility Important?

Accessibility benefits everyone regardless of disabilities.

  • The people with disabilities can access information like their peers without disabilities.
  • Accessibility is a right thing to do.
  • It is required by federal, state, local laws as well as CSU executive order.
    • Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act
    • Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendment of 1998
    • 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act
    • Executive Order 1111 of California State University