Internet accessibility is one of the most important initiatives in the technological era promoting the mainstreaming of people with disabilities into society as well as equal opportunities in many walks of life such as education and literacy, employment, recreational activities, consumerism, communication and information. The goal of this initiative is to enable people with motor, cognitive or sensory disabilities to surf the Internet and benefit from online services by building accessible websites.
Clearly an accessible Internet can serve a person with disabilities just like any other person without disabilities, however, in practice, the Internet is all the more vital for those with disabilities since it provides access to products, services and information that a person with disabilities cannot otherwise obtain due to his disabilities. Over the past few years, the W3C WAI organization, backed by the work of many other organizations, led the campaign for web accessibility worldwide. Many countries not only encouraged and promoted accessibility but passed laws requiring making websites and online services to be accessible. Israeli law prohibits any discrimination of people with disabilities in providing services, information and products, and requires that all the above be accessible to persons with disabilities.
The Web Accessibility Task Group for people with disabilities was founded by the Israel Internet Association in collaboration with Access Israel - The Association for the Advancement of Accessibility in Israel. The task group is coordinated by Gila Gertel Hasson (gila@isoc.org.il).
The following are among the Group's participants:
The task group's goal is to further Internet access in Israel and bridge the digital divide stemming from the participants' disabilities.
Further information concerning the group, activities and Internet accessibility topics is available on the www.nagish.org.il site.