(Some of you may be interested in this. If cross-post, please forgive -Mike)
Accessites.org Launches: Good-bye Accessible Site Stereotypes
One of the most challenging marriages is that of accessibility with style.
Some erroneously think in general terms that the two are in complete
opposition; meaning that an accessible site needs to be low-key and bland,
and that a highly-styled site can't very well be that accessible. This false
belief is echoed mostly by the mainstream development community. Those who
really know web accessibility know that the marriage, while not necessarily
simple, is certainly possible. And very worthwhile if done right as it
combines the best of both worlds and has the highest general appeal.
The "Team Access" members at the newly-launched Accessites.org are on a
mission. They're trying to change this thinking and push web accessibility
into the mainstream by showcasing accessible websites that have managed to
shrug off the "I'm accessible" look. For those that manage this, they will
be rewarded with an iconic pat-on-the-back and a permanent salute honoring
them for their achievement. But it goes a little deeper than that.
Unlike many "awards" organisations, Accessites.org has very strict criteria
for submissions that is in itself a development benchmark worth reaching…
then the grading begins. The Accessites grading checklist is transparent so
everyone knows what is expected and what will be looked at. And due to the
needs of mainstream developers and webmasters in general, many other facets
of proper development will be considered as well: usability, search engine
optimization, universality, standards compliance, the works. It all goes
hand-in-hand in the real world.
To the general public design carries great importance. Being as such, beauty
in design is as nearly as important as basic accessibility. And it is with
the general public that accessibility must begin. Do you have a site or know
of one that shatters the accessible-is-boring stereotype? If so, Team Access
wants to see it. Please take a moment, read the criteria, and submit the
perfect site.
http://accessites.org/
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