With all the dynamic and rich web pages appearing each day, it leads one to wonder, how can we ensure access to information for the visually impaired and blind? In the old days when HTML was king, screen readers were effective in providing the details of what was on a web page. But flash cannot be read, nor can images and dynamic content.

Many countries, such as Canada, the US and Great Britain, have legislation that would ensure equal access for everyone to information. And this is something that web developers, in particular ones seeking to reach out to consumers, should consider. After all, the visually impaired and blind shop too.

Some companies, such as Loblaws here in Canada, provide web accessible versions of their print flyers. These can then be printed out onto braille printers, and are readable by screen readers. The web accessibility solutions, provided by Conversys, allow the visually impaired take part in something that many of us take for granted: saving money by clipping coupons and checking out sale prices, not to mention finding out about new products. A great deal of visually impaired individuals use the internet, and it makes sense to provide accessible versions of web content, in particular promotional retail print.

ALWAYS OFFER AN HTML ALTERNATIVE TO YOUR FLASH SITE. This makes it possible for everyone to access your site. It is a good corporate decision, and this will help with brand image.

Not to mention it helps with your search engine ranking to have an html alternative to a flash site. ;)