Accessibility is defined as:
*easily reached and dealt with
* easily understood and used (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accessible}
In regards to websites accessibility is a measured piece of quantitative information based off of the usability of the tested site. The importance and purpose of accessibility is so people from all different backgrounds can easily use a site. This includes people with disabilities, not tech savvy people, etc. Without testing for accessibility the functionality and usability of websites would plummet and certain people would be unable to use the Internet. Without accessibility using the Internet would be a frustrating process and some people would not be able to understand how to interact with the site.
Website accessibility is an extremely difficult task to fix/accomplish for every type of website. A number of websites do not even take measures for people with disabilities. Through researching new assistive technology I found allot to do with apps. http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/audible-browser/9bf2427c-10ac-4a17-8947-9f7096580da2. If you follow this link it takes you to a free app with Microsoft. This app reads out text when a person clicks on it this is great for the visually impaired and even the elderly. The best part is it is free. This is great because it makes any site for the visually impaired. http://blogs.office.com/2014/01/14/announcing-improved-access-to-office/. This blog post is about free download for visually impaired the opportunity for Microsoft office. They call it Windows Eyes. They discuss in the article that they are partnered with a number of huge companies like Adobe and Apple to help bring more accessibility to the blind. And makes For more information go to this link: http://www.gwmicro.com/Window-Eyes/ . I feel like this is the beginning to a whole new way to interact with the Internet for visually impaired.
Two commonly used websites that have usability issues:
- http://www.pinterest.com/: Though I love pinterest it isn’t the best for usability. People who are not computer savvy can get easily confused by the multitude of information displayed on every page. A number of the links do not take you to the proper site. You cannot really go backwards it will load a new set of pins. And the navigation is small and not the best. This can all become frustrating for anyone. And there is nothing for people who have disabilities.
- https://www.facebook.com: I know, I know everyone uses Facebook. However if you look at it on a usability level its not the best. I was trying to look at it from a person who is not tech savvy. Facebook would be so, so, so overwhelming. Between the advertisements, news feed with clickable links, and weird navigation a person could easily get lost. And again nothing for people with disabilities.
Wikipedia says it perfectly, accessibility “making websites useable by people of all abilities and disabilities.”
Sources:
nmckailee 
I checked and could find no accessibility statements/policy or help on Pinterest but Facebook has recognized this issue and has user help available: http://www.facebook.com/help/141636465971794
It was interesting to me that you chose two very ‘visual’ applications for your comparison. It may be more problematic in terms of accessibility if a web site is offering public services that should be accessible to all i.e. banking, government services etc. And what about online accessibility issues for those with mobility restrictions? – for example a city website that offers no online services – what does this mean for those city residents? Something to consider.
Your post could have used some proofing for typos and sentence structure.