Its all about 'accessibility' for all, making web content accessible to people with disabilities.
The W3C host the WAI which has developed guidelines and technique widley regarded as the standard for web accessibility.
What is Web Accessibility
Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can use the Web. More specifically, Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web, and that they can contribute to the Web. Web accessibility also benefits others, including older people with changing abilities due to aging.
Web accessibility encompasses all disabilities that affect access to the Web, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities.
Millions of people have disabilities that affect their use of the Web. Currently most Web sites and Web software have accessibility barriers that make it difficult or impossible for many people with disabilities to use the Web. As more accessible Web sites and software become available, people with disabilities are able to use and contribute to the Web more effectively.
Web accessibility also benefits people without disabilities. For example, a key principle of Web accessibility is designing Web sites and software that are flexible to meet different user needs, preferences, and situations. This flexibility also benefits people without disabilities in certain situations, such as people using a slow Internet connection, people with "temporary disabilities" such as a broken arm, and people with changing abilities due to aging.
Why Web Accessibility is Important
The Web is an increasingly important resource in many aspects of life: education, employment, government, commerce, health care, recreation, and more. It is essential that the Web be accessible in order to provide equal access and equal opportunity to people with disabilities. An accessible Web can also help people with disabilities more actively participate in society.
The Web offers the possibility of unprecedented access to information and interaction for many people with disabilities. That is, the accessibility barriers to print, audio, and visual media can be much more easily overcome through Web technologies.
Another important consideration for organizations is that Web accessibility is required by laws and policies in some cases. WAI Web Accessibility Policy Resources links to resources for addressing legal and policy factors within organizations, including a list of relevant laws and policies around the world.
-- extract taken form http://www.w3.org/WAI
Need some help developing a WAI compliant web site ?
We have lots of experience in developing WAI compliant static and JSP based web site.
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Try this - view our web site without it CSS.
Most modern web browsers will allow you to view a page without is's style sheet e.g with Mozilla Firefox 1.5 from the Main menu select:- View | Page Style | No Style. This will then display just the content and simple html markup suitable for use by special browsers like those used by a disabled person.
Useful links:
W3C : http://www.w3.org
WAI : http://www.w3.org/WAI
The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.
-- Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web
TERMINOLOGY
web content = generally refers to the information in a web page or web application, including text, images, forms, sounds, and such.
