Welcome to Disability Rights Advocates
Amazon.com, one of the largest and best known Internet retailers, has agreed to make its website, as well as several affiliated websites, fully accessible to people with disabilities. Resulting from efforts asserted by Disability Rights Advocates on behalf of National Federation of the Blind (NFB), Amazon has committed to provide “full and equal access” to their web pages and ensure that any barriers are eliminated. Furthermore, Amazon will work in partnership with the NFB to address accessibility and any access issues arising out of new and developing Internet technology.
Internet users with visual disabilities surf the web and shop online by using software designed to provide screen access by translating text into spoken words or by transcribing into tactile displays. People who cannot use a mouse due to disabilities affecting fine motor skills, require the ability to navigate solely by keyboard. To be accessible, a web site must have features built into its design such as “alt tags,” which describe images, headings for page navigation, labeling of form fields, and coding allowing keyboard navigations.
In addition to the many people with disabilities who will be able to fully access Amazon.com, this agreement will also have a large impact on other Internet merchants. Amazon serves as a host site for many other Internet retailers that will also be subject to the terms of the agreement.
As part its pledge to ensure accessibility, Amazon has created an Accessibility Committee to assure that accessibility remains a priority even as new Internet technology is developed.
Read the Cooperation Agreement
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