Web 2.0 Technologies May Put Web Accessibilty at Risk
SEPTEMBER 26, 2006. Brands planning to introduce Web 2.0 technologies into their online strategy need to be aware of accessibility or they may miss out on a market worth over lb50 billion, warned Trenton Moss, director of web usability and accessibility agency Webcredible, at the Accessibility in 2006 conference on 12th September.
Web 2.0 technologies such as AJAX offer brands the ability to create feature-rich, interactive online environments. Websites such as Yahoo Mail, Google Maps, Amazon Diamond Search have introduced Web 2.0 to great effect, producing intuitive, user friendly websites. The rewards for improving usability in this way can be high, with traffic increasing by 150 per cent and sales rates by up to 100 per cent.
However, Moss warns that companies who introduce richer functionality, such as 'on the page' changes to eliminate downloads and video content, should be aware of the risk of compromising web accessibility. The upshot is that brands must develop alternative versions of these features to meet accessibility requirements.
'Web 2.0 offers amazing potential but, for the first time, this could cause a conflict between accessibility and usability. However, developing alternative versions of web pages to address accessibility requirements does not need to be a costly exercise and the benefits far outweigh the effort. There are over 8.6 million registered disabled people in the UK alone, so brands looking at Web 2.0 need to include accessibility into their online strategy in order to tap into this significant market,' said Trenton Moss, director, Webcredible.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
