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Web accessibility

Web accessibility

 is another core requirement for websites. It is about allowing all users of 

a website to interact with it regardless of disabilities they may have or the web browser or 

platform they are using to access the site. The visually impaired are the main audience that 

Adaptive mobile 

web design

Generally a more 

sophisticated approach 

than Responsive web 

design that involves 

delivering an experience 

optimised for the 

handsets targeted and 

splits the code and 

processing to render on 

different devices between 

the client and the server.

Approach

Advantages

Disadvantages

Responsive Web 

Design (RWD)

CSS Media Queries modify 

presentation for device 

resolution

Single template for all devices 

gives speed and cost benefits

Bigger page weight

Compromises experience for 

higher resolutions?

 Client-  side

Adaptive

JavaScript on the user’s 

device loads different 

templates based on device 

resolution

•  Complete rebuild of CSS

not needed

•  Only resources needed

loaded onto client

•  Experience customised for

devices

Maintenance of additional 

code

 Server-  side

Adaptive

Dynamic serving of styles 

based on device detection

Smaller mobile pages than 

other approaches

Multiple templates must be 

maintained

Accessibility

An approach to site 

design intended to 

accommodate site usage 

using different browsers 

and settings particularly 

required by the visually 

impaired.

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Part 3  Implementation

designing an accessible website can help. However, increased usage of mobile or wireless 

access devices make consideration of accessibility important.

The quote below shows the importance of the accessibility to a visually impaired user of a 

website who uses a  screen-  reader which reads out the navigation options and content.

For me being online is everything. It’s my hi-fi, it’s my source of income, it’s my  super- 

 market, it’s my telephone. It’s my way in.

(Lynn Holdsworth,  screen-  reader user, web developer and

programmer, RNIB, www.rnib.org.uk)

Remember that many countries now have specific