Website Accessibility
We intend the STM Foundations website to be as accessible as possible. This means considering the specific needs of those with visual or physical impairments, learning difficulties and other forms of disability. It also includes understanding of different browser technologies. Our site aims to meet current best practices and guidelines.
The benefits of this approach:
- We meet guidelines for those users who may have impairments and difficulties using the web.
- Our site and its content is available to the widest possible audience, across a variety of technologies. It will also be accessible to future devices.
- The site loads more quickly and uses less bandwidth.
How do we do it?
We follow what are known as 'Web Standards'. In the past many web browsers were released that did not follow a common standard for interpreting web pages; they focused on their own propriety code. Several different versions of one site had to be made for all the various browsers and there would often be inconsistencies across these sites.
In recent years the makers of web browsers have adopted and brought in support for an open set of standards. These standards are laid down by the W3C, a not-for-profit organisation, that oversees the development of the web.
There is now a move towards this standard-based approach method of building websites and STM Foundations is proud to be working in this way.
Further information:
Royal National Institute of the Blind
Web Accessiblity and UK Law
Disability Rights Commission
