Accessibility 2.0

Reading comments from Friday’s post, I decided to research accessibility, and the importance of equal access. Although I don’t work in one of my company’s retail stores, it is clear that they are designed with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) under consideration. My surprise, is that online content is designed in a similar manner under the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).

“One important aspect of accessibility is to let people access content in their preferred way. This can also benefit all users not just those with disabilities: for example, some users may wish to adjust text sizes because they are using a very small display on a mobile phone, or may need to use keystrokes to control their computer because they do not have a mouse or prefer not to use one.”
Website Accessibility – Wikipedia

Conceptually I get it, but what about execution? There is litigation in National Federation of the Blind v. Target Corporation where Judge Marilyn Hall Patel ruled that a retailer may be sued, if it’s website is inaccessable to the blind. Premised by the prohibition to discriminate in the “enjoyment of goods, services, facilities or privileges”, the suit challenges the ADA’s application to e-commerce websites globally.

I am anticipating the result, but why wait?

Technorati Tags: accessibility, Mobile Banking, WAI, service, web 2.0, Web Accessibility Initiative

Mobile Banking: It’s Important.

I came across an article from JOIS Inc about the importance of Mobile Banking; which has been implemented by Bank of America, Citibank, and Wachovia.

“Currently there are around 200Million mobile customers in USA , out of which great deal of customers already using text messaging ( aka SMS) and Web browsing using Mobile devices. First we would like to address what any technology innovation brings to industry or its customers. Like internet technology,Mobile technology also brings advantages and disadvantages.”

This company offers a service that is important to my friend Alex Hillman. Recently we were discussing the redesign of a local Bank’s online banking software, and his disappointment with their service. Alex and his friends are constantly on the go, and require mobile access to account balances, paying bills, and transferring money. Once implemented, the opportunities are endless; including the ability to instantly notify customers about fraudulent transactions.

I am interested to see how many other banks implement this service.

Technorati Tags: Alex Hillman, Banking, JOIS Inc, Mobile Banking, mobile, web 2.0

Video: Web 2.0 and your Bank

Brad Garland from The Garland Group makes an excellent presentation to the Texas Bankers Association Conference about web 2.0 technology, and how it relates to the banking industry.

A special thank you goes out to Colin Devroe from Viddler, who informed me about this video through Twitter.

Technorati Tags: Banking, Brad Garland, Colin Devroe, Twitter, Viddler, web 2.0