Rationale: Why develop accessible websites?

Accessible websites:

• meet legislative requirements
• benefit everyone, not just those with a disability. When a site is user-friendly, quick to download, easy to navigate, clearly set out, easy to read, informative and to the point, it benefits all users
• are cost effective - it is less costly to design for universal access than to make changes to an inaccessible site later on
• widen the market for your educational products and services
• facilitate modification of learning materials for specific needs - accessible online learning materials enable educators to provide educational resources more easily in a multitude of formats to meet specific learning needs
• promote learners' independence as they can independently log on, navigate and access information on a site.