INTRODUCTION TO WEB ACCESSIBILITY

For truly universal web projects, projects should be accessible to people with varied abilities. This is not only a matter of reach and ethics, but mandated by the World Wide Web Consortium and further codified in United States law. The following resources provide thorough introductions to the principles of web accessibility and overviews of the World Wide Web Consortium guidelines and United States law pertaining to web accessibility.

Principles of Web Accessibility

• WebAIM's Introduction to Web Accessibility is a helpful introduction to how people with different disabilities experience the web, along with a list of guidelines and accessibility tutorials
• WebAIM’s Considering User Perspectives uses a chart to summarize web design issues
• Mozilla Developers Network What is Accessibility article discusses some of the assistive technologies used by people with disabilities and outlines accessibility implementation considerations
• Mozilla Developers Network Mobile Accessibility article considers accessibility concerns on mobile devices, including accessible responsive design
• GPII Developer Space Accessibility Master List is an extensive list of web design features assisting access for people affected by print, cognitive, or hearing disabilities
• W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative's Design and Develop Overview provides guidance for writing, designing, and developing for accessibility.
• W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative’s Accessibility Fundamentals Overview has resources and tutorials to help developers start designing for accessibility, including considerations for older users of the internet.

Guidelines and United States Laws

• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: while the law applies to federal agencies, vendors, and contractors in the United States, Section 508 can serve as a guide to web accessibility
• W3C Accessibility Standards includes overviews of guidelines for accessible web content, authoring tools, user agents, and internet applications
• Current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines from the W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative
• Working draft of the new WCAG 2.2 Guidelines