The Best Web Accessibility Resource

Accessibility NZ will help you improve the level of accessibility of your website. We offer accessibility assessments (sometimes called accessibility audits), trainings and seminars about website accessibility and tutorials to get you on the way. We also blog about accessibility related issues.

What makes us stand out from the crowd?

Nicolas Steenhout is the principal for Accessibility NZ.

  • Nic has over a decade of experience in the field of web accessibility
  • Nic has worked on several large development projects (such as Mambo)
  • Nic has a personal experience with disabilities
  • Nic has business experience in "the real world"
  • Our services are affordable
  • Get more information about us

While we are based in New Zealand, most of our services are available to anyone in the world.

What Is Web Accessibility?

In general, the term "accessibility", when applied to websites means that a site can be navigated and the content accessed by people with disabilities.

But an accessible website benefits many more users than just people with disabilities. By implementing accessibility features to your website, you will also increase your chances with search engines (SEO benefits), allow users on alternative devices (such as cell phones and PDAs) to get to your content, and generally ensure your content is viewable by a larger number of people.

Why Is Accessibility Important?

There are commercial advantages: If people are unable to access your content, they are unlikely to purchase products or seek services from your company. There are legal obligations: In a growing number of countries, legislation has been passed saying that websites have to be accessible.

Recent Blog Posts

Binh Trinh

June 15th, 2008

"I have recently had a new website designed with awesome graphic and animation. The design definitely helped to frame my images in a more creative way, and certainly increased the perceived value of my photography. I am very proud of the website. Nic did a great analysis of the website with special focus on accessibility to everyone. His service is an absolute must to any who understands the importance of accessibility to the general public. Top job and thank you so much Nic" - Binh Trinh, International Award Winning Photographer

Test-Driving Woopra

June 9th, 2008

Have you heard of Woopra? Probably not. I certainly hadn't until last week. It's a new system to track site statistics à la Google Analytics, only it's in real time, and it lives on your desktop. It's a closed beta release at the moment, though they have over 20,000 testers, including myself now :) I like the idea of being able to get real time information. Of course, all these statistics remind me that we're living in a world where Big Brother is indeed watching, and that anyone can become little brother, watching as well.

Continue reading the complete Test-Driving Woopra post

Compliance badges

June 8th, 2008

Years ago, there were sites proudly sporting "Bobby approved" graphics, to denote it was accessible. There are still many of those sites around. There are new badges signifying a site is accessible, or at least it should be. But what is the real value of those accessibility badges? Do they really mean anything? Should we, as accessible web designer, promote their use? Or should we ignore them? There are pros and cons with these badges, as with most things.

Continue reading the complete Compliance badges post