Why accessibility is necessary?
HTML was created with one single goal. To make sure everyone can access the same content and exchange information using the great internet! But as years pass by we can see internet is keeping people with disabilities away. Far away that they are not able to come near it, feel it. May be if they can assess googlegroups, orkut or blog... if they can book the
air tickets without taking help from their friend, neighbor or spouse.
Yes I know you also wish if they could but life is like that not always fair but magically we have to work towards overcoming the situation.
I know when you read this what's on your mind...its true that not everyone can climb the great mount
Everest, swim the oceans or go Para gliding...but there has o be some fairness.
Section 508
The section 508 is connected with the rehabilitation act of 1973 (found at 29 U.S.C. 794d). US congress has significantly strengthened the section 508 in the workforce investment act (1998).The primary purpose is to provide access to and use of Federal executive agencies’ electronic and information technology (EIT) by individuals with disabilities. The statutory language of section 508 can be found at www.section508.gov.
Section 508 neither regulates the technology industry nor requires private companies to alter their products, it does establish strict accessibility standards that every technology product must be measured against before a federal agency can consider purchasing it. As a result, any technology company that wants to do business with the U.S. government -- one of the world's largest markets for electronic and information technology -- must make accessibility a priority.