What is WEB for ALL?

A social project

WEB for ALL is a project of the association for vocational integration and qualification (Verein zur beruflichen Integration und Qualifizierung e.V. -  VbI ). One of the objectives of this non-profit association from Heidelberg is the training and employment of people with disabilities. Vbl has 40 permanent employees of which 7 people have disabilities themselves. At WEB for ALL there are currently 5 staff members.

A project of people with disabilities

The project WEB for ALL was established in August 2000 by a group of people with disabilities to reduce barriers when using the Internet. The staff members who have disabilities themselves know from their own experience how the usage of the Internet can be difficult and have barriers. They bring in their experience and technologies for assistance.
For example a visually impaired employee tests websites with a Screenreader (a program which reads the webpage aloud). Especially with new technologies like Web 2.0 the involvement of people with disabilities is important since the quick evolvement of the Internet always precedes legal regulations.

At WEB for ALL many people with severe disabilities have been educated by apprenticeships and training. With the introduction of the additional qualification in accessible web design, opportunities in the vocational market have been heavily enhanced. After gaining this qualification many web designers intensively research accessibility on the Internet. So WEB for ALL is able to provide a basis for independent work.

Local and European projects

Over the years the project WEB for ALL has started many other projects concerning accessibility. They range from the local project of a Heidelberg city guide for people with disabilities through to European-wide projects. WEB for ALL is financed by money from the revenue from projects, revenues from services as well as by individual-related funding.