We Want Media

In a recent discussion, I was asked if I though the internet was a place. Well, I don't know. But if it is, I was informed that maybe the Disabilities Act should apply to this virtual world. The Americans with Disabilities Act website states that "places of public accommodation" provide access to the disabled.

We've all seen establishments like hotels, restaurants, theaters, shopping malls, banks, museums, libraries, schools, and gyms accommodate (as they should) those with disabilities. But should this accessibility be required online?

The people at WebABLE are trying to advance research and development of technologies that will ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. Is this the first step in promoting something that so few people have even heard of?

Is it too much to ask for those, whose lives are already hindered in one way or another, be able to gain the same information everyone else can? A few solutions are to have sites printed onto Braille printers and text-to-speech synthesizers. For those who are deaf, captioning online videos could be a solution.

Unfortunately, those unable to use the internet as feely as they want to are subject to missing out on things such as online discounts at retail stores, airlines, and hotel coupons. But who should pick up the tab to make online viewing available for everyone?

Could the added expense discourage people from creating new sites? And what about the small businesses that already have sites up -- would they have to redo their entire webpage? In my opinion, those who are ambulance chasers or those who just want to be fair, I see this happening only in a matter of time.