Defining Web Accessibility:

1. What is Web Accessibility?
2. Why is web accessibility important?
3. What are the needs that web accessibility aims to address?
4. What are the characteristics of an accessible web site?
5. What is the goal of Web Services in Creating accessible websites?
   

1. What is Web Accessibility?
   
   Web accessibility refers to the practice of making Web pages accessible to people using a wide range of software and devices, not just standard Web browsers.
   
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2. Why is web accessibilty important?
   
   Educational institutions are using the Internet and web technologies for information dissemination, service delivery, and course delivery. Additionally, the campus website is used for marketing and branding as a tool to reach prospective students and their families. Because core services and information are delivered via the Web, it is critical that all people are able to access the information on the web, whether they have disabilities or not. Web accessibility should be viewed as a necessity and an investment. Well-designed accessible web sites help expedite the delivery of information and services, and are crucial in helping the university fulfill its educational mission in the digital age.
   
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3. What are the needs that web accessibility aims to address?

   Visual: Visual impairments including blindness, various common types of low vision and poor eyesight, various types of colour blindness;

   Motor/Mobility: e.g. difficulty or inability to use the hands, including tremors, muscle slowness, loss of fine muscle control, etc., due to conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, stroke;

   Cognitive/Intellectual: Developmental disabilities, learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia, etc.), and cognitive disabilities of various origins, affecting memory, attention, developmental "maturity," problem-solving and logic skills, etc.;

   Auditory: Deafness or hearing impairments, including individuals who are hard of hearing;

   Seizures: Photoepileptic seizures caused by visual strobe or flashing effects.
   
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4. What are the characteristics of an accessible web site?
   
   An accessible web site is one that can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. Some specific characteristics of an accessible site include: clear and logical navigation; easy to read text and understandable links; text descriptions of essential visual elements; transcripts or captions for audio, video, and multimedia content; and interoperability with assistive technology which may be used to render the web content in a usable format.
   
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5. What is the goal of Web Services in Creating accessible websites?
   
   Equal opportunity for all regardless of disability.

   In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and university non-discrimination policies, all electronic publications, to the extent feasible, must be made accessible to people with disabilities. If it is not feasible, alternative methods must be made available to complete the same tasks.

   
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