Web Accessibility

Introduction of Web accessibility of the Revenue Department

In 2007 the Revenue Department has made efforts to make its web site accessible to everyone by following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (WCAG 1.0) of World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)’s Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). The initiative has been implemented on the Thai language version of web pages on “Tax Knowledge” and “The Revenue Code”. The Revenue Department aims to make all of its web contents accessible not only for disabled users but also for all user agents in the near future.

                        From : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_accessibility

“Web accessibility refers to the practice of making Web pages accessible to people using a wide range of user agent software and devices, not just standard Web browsers. This is especially important for people with disabilities such as visual impairment. In order to access the Web, some users require special software or devices in addition to a standard web browser, or specially designed web browsers. Design for accessibility is a sub-category of good design for usability.

• Visual : Visual impairments including blindness, various common types of low vision and poor eyesight, various types of colour blindness;
• Motor/Mobility : e.g. difficulty or inability to use the hands, including tremors, muscle slowness, loss of fine muscle control, etc., due to conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, stroke;
• Cognitive/Intellectual : Developmental disabilities, learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia, etc.), and cognitive disabilities of various origins, affecting memory, attention, developmental "maturity," problem-solving and logic skills, etc.;
• Auditory : Deafness or hearing impairments, including individuals who are hard of hearing;
• Seizures : Photoepileptic seizures caused by visual strobe or flashing effects.

                        From : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_accessibility

“Designing websites with accessibility in mind can often enhance usability for all users. Good design can also deliver easier access for automated software programs that read website content, such as search engines.
One important aspect of accessibility is to let people access content in their preferred way. This can also benefit all users not just those with disabilities: for example, some users may wish to adjust text sizes because they are using a very small display on a mobile phone, or may need to use keystrokes to control their computer because they do not have a mouse or prefer not to use one. Search engines generally cannot make much use of graphics.”

                        Also from : http://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/accessibility.php

“The Web is an increasingly important resource in many aspects of life: education, employment, government, commerce, health care, recreation, and more. It is essential that the Web be accessible in order to provide equal access and equal opportunity to people with disabilities. An accessible Web can also help people with disabilities more actively participate in society.

The Web offers the possibility of unprecedented access to information and interaction for many people with disabilities. That is, the accessibility barriers to print, audio, and visual media can be much more easily overcome through Web technologies.”