W3C website standards and accessibility

A well-designed website adapts to the people who use it, regardless of the technology they are using, instead of expecting the people who use it to adapt to the website. We firmly believe that the key to accessibility is adherence to published standards.

HTML5 and W3C standards

HTML is flexible. If people want or need to view websites with larger fonts and the graphics turned off, they should be able to. If they don't want to use frames or are not able to use Flash or javascript, they should still be able to find their way around your website. If someone can only see bold black text on a white background or needs to read the page using a braille system or a voice synthesiser, the web designer shouldn't be making life even more difficult.

Our approach to website accessibility

At Skill Zone, we have always tried to build web sites which embrace the flexibility and inclusive nature of HTML. We want to build websites which empower our visitors, not exclude them. Using a website should be an enjoyable experience, not a challenging one, and if potential customers turn away from you, not because your product is wrong for them, but because your website is an obstacle, then we believe your website has failed you.

Accessible websites and good design

We don't believe that accessible websites have to be dull and boring. When we design a website, we want to make it look as visually attractive and appealing as possible, but we also understand that it still has to be usable on a whole range of equipment, screen sizes, colour perceptions, and so on. Well-designed websites can be rendered in different ways to suit different categories of user, without sacrificing clarity and attractiveness of design.

Accessibility matters

Building accessible websites isn't easy but we think it is worth the effort. Accessibility and usability is built into our sites during the design process, not something that is added later. Website accessibility is an evolving science, and we make the commitment to learn.

What is your accessibility experience?

If you have had any issues trying to access this website, please let us know. Constructive feedback helps us better understand how we can improve in future. Equally, if you find our site easier to use than you have come to expect, please let us know about that as well, so that we know what works and what people want.