Olympic Failure: A Case for Making the Web Accessible

Director, Tomw Communications Pty Ltd, Canberra

For INET 2001: Internet Society Conference, 8 June 2001, Stockholm.


Free preview sponsored by RNIB on Friday 1 June, London W1, UK.

See also books: Web Accessibility; Sydney 2000 Olympics

Abstract:

The issue of disabled access to the web is examined using the case of the 2000 Olympic web site. Wider use of accessibility guidelines for small screen and wireless web devices is discussed.

In August 2000 the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games was found to have engaged in unlawful conduct by providing a web site which was to a significant extent inaccessible to the blind. The Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission ordered the web site be made accessible by the start of the Sydney Olympics. The details of the case and its global implications for government policy and commercial practice on the Internet is examined by one of the expert witnesses who gave evidence to the commission. The possible benefits for wireless and TV based web access from use of accessibility guidelines is looked at.

Contents

  1. Abstract
  2. Introduction
  3. A Case for Making the Web Accessible
  4. Olympic Web Case: Maguire V SOCOG
  5. Implications
  6. References

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Copyright © Tom Worthington 2001.