Do the Blind Deserve More Effort on the Web?

dratcw writes "An article was posted this week to ComputerWorld, detailing the frustrations faced by blind people struggling to use the Web. The piece shows how little progress has been made and the inadequacy of solutions such as Microsoft's Narrator screen reader. While the article generated many positive comments, one reader said the disabled should 'get a grip' and maintained they 'have no more right to demand that others provide for their needs than I, as a diabetic, have a right to demand that sugar no longer be used.' Should Web sites and software makers do more, or does the reality of today's economics dictate that the blind/disabled will continue to struggle and learn to live with it?"

Comments

Do the Blind Deserve More Effort on the Web?

[Jswalden86]

I can't see why not.

Re:Shitty web design is not a "blind" problem

[shrikel]

Thankfully we've mostly gotten rid of the horrible ... musical home pages.
Are you kidding? Those at least can be enjoyed by blind and seeing people alike!

Re:Shitty web design is not a "blind" problem

[Aquaseafoam]

I find it highly insensitive that you have overlooked the deaf community. Surely they also wish to enjoy such magnificent web pages.

Re:Shitty web design is not a "blind" problem

[piojo]

I find it highly insensitive that you have overlooked the deaf community. Surely they also wish to enjoy such magnificent web pages. So you're saying that when I add the soundtrack to my home page, I should have the musical notes going by in a flash animation?

...pages entirely flash based...

[HTH NE1]

Two words. Sing them with me:

Flash! Aaa-aah!