Introduction

The emergence of the World Wide Web (WWW) has made it possible for individuals to interact as never before. The Internet can be a tremendous aid in accessing information. However, the form and format of information on a Web site can either help or hinder access for people with disabilities.

New Web browsers and new versions of existing browsers are constantly entering the market. New Web-tools (e.g., HTML scripting tools and document converters), programming environments (e.g., JAVA and JavaScript) and standards (e.g., HTML and CSS) are constantly being developed and modified. Some of these may include features that enhance a person's ability to use the Web and others may not. The latter is frequently the case because a user's hardware and/or software does not support the new features, or the feature was not designed with universal accessibility in mind. While the adaptive technology used by consumers with disabilities is continuously being developed and refined, advancements in this area are usually one or more steps behind the introduction of new Internet components and tools.

Given this broad and rapid growth in technology, it is unwise for a Web developer to make assumptions about the abilities of end-users or the equipment at their disposal. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Web-page author to present information in a manner which ensures access by a diverse audience.