2004-08-26: a site that is easily used by individuals with disabilities, especially blindness and vision impairment, is known as an "accessible" site. There are at least three good reasons to design your pages to accommodate such users:

• Because it's the right thing to do.
• Because you will reach more customers.
• Because search engines experience the web much as blind users do: through text. If it's not there in easily accessible text, it's not helping anyone search for your site.
• Because users of new web browsing devices, such as wireless handhelds and cell phones, experience the web the way blind users do. (They may be able to see some images, but only with difficulty and frustration.)

For tips on how to achieve accessibility, see how do I make my website more accessible?

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