Persuasion 101
Despite the emotionally resonant demonstration by disabled students of what its like to use a website not designed to be handicapped accessible, I think the host makes a poor argument at the end of the segment.
The host argues that websites should be made handicapped accessible because “it is the right thing to do.” Sadly, in a world like ours, that’s a really naïve statement. Stopping global warming is the right thing to do, but the polar ice caps are still melting.
Instead, the host would be better off citing research from Jakob Neilsen, which shows that handicapped accessible design is smart design. Studies have shown all demographic benefit from pages designed to be used by the disable.
My favorite example is using bigger print. So many websites use tiny, tiny print. Although I’m in my mid twenties, small type gives me a headache so much that even in Microsoft Windows my standard setting is for large print. Lots of people need reading glasses, and even people who don’t need them appreciate readable fonts.
Why focus on moral arguments, when there are arguments sure to win over people’s pocketbooks and visitor statistics? The host’s preachy ending takes away from an otherwise excellent lesson in the digital divide.
The host argues that websites should be made handicapped accessible because “it is the right thing to do.” Sadly, in a world like ours, that’s a really naïve statement. Stopping global warming is the right thing to do, but the polar ice caps are still melting.
Instead, the host would be better off citing research from Jakob Neilsen, which shows that handicapped accessible design is smart design. Studies have shown all demographic benefit from pages designed to be used by the disable.
My favorite example is using bigger print. So many websites use tiny, tiny print. Although I’m in my mid twenties, small type gives me a headache so much that even in Microsoft Windows my standard setting is for large print. Lots of people need reading glasses, and even people who don’t need them appreciate readable fonts.
Why focus on moral arguments, when there are arguments sure to win over people’s pocketbooks and visitor statistics? The host’s preachy ending takes away from an otherwise excellent lesson in the digital divide.
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