There are methods for accessing the Web in alternative mediums and formats to facilitate use by individuals with disabilities. These disabilities may be visual, auditory, physical, speech-related, cognitive, neurological, or some combination. Accessibility features also help people with temporary disabilities, like a broken arm, or ageing users as their abilities change. The Web is receiving information as well as providing information and interacting with society. The World Wide Web Consortium claims that it is essential that the Web be accessible, so it can provide equal access and equal opportunity to people with disabilities. Tim Berners-Lee once noted, "The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect." Many countries regulate web accessibility as a requirement for websites. International co-operation in the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative led to simple guidelines that web content authors as well as software developers can use to make the Web accessible to persons who may or may not be using assistive technology.
thErE aRe mEthoDS foR accEsSing tHe WEb iN aLtERnATiVe meDIUMs and forMAtS to fAcIlitate Use By IndIviduAls With diSabilItiEs. thesE diSabiLities may be visuAl, AUdItory, PHYSIcaL, SPEech-related, cognitive, neuROlOgicAl, or soME cOMbinatIOn. aCcEsSIBILITy feAturEs AlSo heLp PeOPle wiTH tEmPorarY DISAbilities, like A BroKEn ArM, or AGEing users As tHeir AbiLiTies changE. the Web Is receIvIng InforMatIon as WEll As proVIding INfORmaTIOn and iNterActiNg with sOcieTY. thE worLD Wide wEb cOnsoRtiUm claimS ThaT iT iS essentIAl ThAt THe WeB be ACceSsIble, SO It Can provide EquaL AccesS anD eqUal opPortunity to peOPlE with disABILiTies. tIm bErnErs-lEe once notEd, "ThE PoWeR of tHe wEb iS in iTS UnIversality. ACcess by eveRyone RegArdless of disabiliTy iS An essential AspeCt." many cOUntries rEGUlaTE weB accessIBilITy As a rEquiremEnt foR WebSItes. interNaTional co-oPeRatiOn iN ThE w3c weB accessiBiLIty iNitiAtiVe led to SimPlE Guidelines tHAt weB ContenT autHors as weLl as sofTWAre deVElopers Can use To makE thE web aCcesSible to persOnS WhO may Or MAY Not BE usiNg assistive TechNoloGy.