Even More Web Standards

[flesso]

W3C has launched new guidelines aimed at making websites more accessible for the elderly and disabled. More details at BBC NEWS | Technology | New guidelines boost web access.

[Eidolon]

At a glance I think the main new bits are in reference to audio & video clips. The rest appears to be mostly the same as before, albeit re-worded in parts.

[WelshTom]

It's about time Web Standards became a legal requirement, but none of the "big fish" as it seems tend to be complying to any recommendations set by the W3C

[Eidolon]

It's about time Web Standards became a legal requirement, but none of the "big fish" as it seems tend to be complying to any recommendations set by the W3C

I've tried convincing some in the past how using tables for layouts is bad practice pointing to the W3C recommendations. I think creating sites using table layouts is seen by some as easier and that the W3C is merely recommendations, rather than a legal requirement/guideline. I dislike how some 'web design' (and I use that term very loosely) people/companies get away with creating websites for people which use table layouts.

In regards to the "big fish" at least the BBC's converted sites/pages (with the new wide layout) are attempting to comply more with the recommendations compared to past versions.

I think using CSS for layouts and ensure the sites are usable / can be navigated with JS disabled are fairly basic but easy to achieve steps for aiding accessibility.

[DPS Computing]

I'm glad that W3C are trying to set out standards so the Internet is accessible for all but I think legalising it would be going a step too far.

Maybe for big business yes, but for someones 8 year old child that wants to put a website of their birthday pictures on the internet! - I think putting him in prison for not being standards complaint would be a little step too far!

[Ben Stones]

I'm glad that W3C are trying to set out standards so the Internet is accessible for all but I think legalising it would be going a step too far.

Maybe for big business yes, but for someones 8 year old child that wants to put a website of their birthday pictures on the internet! - I think putting him in prison for not being standards complaint would be a little step too far!

lol. Legalising how the way you are allowed to code your site really is stupid, "oh I forgot a closing </b> there, I get a £500 fine for that" - no need for such laws ... we shouldnt create laws that we don't need. It's like creating extra security features on a specific form to prevent people typing numbers when you can use more complex functions that allow people to enter numbers but under filters.

I see a lot of people that want W3C recommendations under law really haven't experienced the real need for W3C compliance on their own sites except standardised code that makes absolutely no difference both ways - although for the sake of nothing I comply to W3C standards when I create my own websites. It's the standard in web development - so you gotta use it.

[Eidolon]

Am I right in thinking Google factors in aspects of the guidelines when ranking pages? I seem to recall using CSS instead of tables was taken into account.

[DPS Computing]

Yes, I think Google do (or did) used to take this into account - which is incentive enough in itself to be compliant - but I think creating laws surrounding this is just a little silly really. What next? - laws on how much lettuce needs to be on your burger or what font you've got to use on your signs to make them more easily readable?

[jc8654]

It's actually an interesting point. Legally if you have a badly coded site (and you're a business) you can be breaching accessibility laws. Often though, companies would get a letter etc. from the people who spot the issue basically asking them to rectify the problem.

And as we all know, it's often other people who spot issues with your sites!

[DPS Computing]

Yes it is indeed. I think that business should be more accountable for accesibility than personal sites. I think sending them a letter is fair - and most business I imagine would act on it in good faith. I think legal steps, even fines (unless its deliberate persistant offences to deny services to others) are a step too far.

[WelshTom]

lol. Legalising how the way you are allowed to code your site really is stupid, "oh I forgot a closing </b> there, I get a £500 fine for that" - no need for such laws ... we shouldnt create laws that we don't need. It's like creating extra security features on a specific form to prevent people typing numbers when you can use more complex functions that allow people to enter numbers but under filters.

I see a lot of people that want W3C recommendations under law really haven't experienced the real need for W3C compliance on their own sites except standardised code that makes absolutely no difference both ways - although for the sake of nothing I comply to W3C standards when I create my own websites. It's the standard in web development - so you gotta use it.

Actually, you're wrong, and no, I don't mean lets just fine people for bad coding, that would be just stupid.

Infact, UK legislation does cover web design in the fact your website needs to be accessible, and if you're not complying to standards, then you're website is considered inaccessible, and could be grounds for civil action of discrimination.

Tables shouldn't be used for web design. They should be used for tabular data (what they were intended for).

[Danny M]

It's the standard in web development - so you gotta use it.

I completely agree on this as there needs to be a Standard that should be followed by all.

[seo_company]

Getting a W3C validated site is itself a BIG BIG task.

However, there are few companies which will check this issue, but it would be too difficult for me

[paul]

As per Robin Christopherson, Web Consultancy Manager, AbilityNet- In the UK itself there are around 1.6 million registered blind people, 1.5 million with cognitive difficulties, 6 million with dyslexia and 3.4 million have some problem making use of a standard computer.
In my opinion to adhere web standards is very necessary from both moral and commercial perspective because being a goods suppliers or a service providers you can't ignore a highly significant market segment because these internet users represent a spending power in excess of £120 billion.

[markspenser]

quite appreciable efforts in order to make people awakened.