Blind Web surfers sue Target

…like any evolving technology, accessing the Internet has hardly been a smooth ride for the blind. Some sites can be difficult to navigate, particularly if they contain relatively few text links and rely more on graphics and other visual elements that screen-reading software such as Jaws can’t interpret. That’s why the NFB, an organization that represents blind people, is suing Target Corp., saying that its Web site is inaccessible to blind Internet users.

That’s an excerpt from one of today’s MSNBC headline stories, Blind Web surfers sue Target.

When it comes to your Web content, it’s all about accessibility — making your content accessible to the widest possible audience. This includes people with disabilities and people accessing your content with devices other than a traditional desktop or laptop computer (think mobile phones, PDAs, etc.). Oh, and don’t forget about the creepy crawling spiders that scour your site, returning to their respective mothership (Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc.) to cache your content. They like accessible content too.

You may be thinking, “I don’t have the time or resources to worry about making my Web site accessible.” Or, “I have a Website, but this doesn’t apply to me. It’s good enough that I just have my content out there some form, regardless of how ‘accessible’ it is.” This is a dangerous mindset. Especially with attention accessibility has been receiving in mainstream media.

The good news: designing and developing accessible Web content is not rocket science. In many cases it takes a few minor behind-the-scene changes. If you already have a site, bring up this topic with your IT staff or contractor. If they return a dumbfounded stare, it’s time for them to brush up their skills — or time to find a new contractor.