Gartner Charges for Accessibility

While the term 'accessibility' refers to the level to which system interaction is enabled for users with varying levels of abilities/disabilities, the research firm Gartner thinks otherwise. According to their Accessibility website, which is designed to support Section 508, Gartner mirrors information on a data-centric web site and restricts access to paying customers only after customers ask for access rights nicely.

There are two major issues with Gartner's Accessibility strategy:

1. Dual infrastructure - Creating virtual mirrors of data is a monumental waste of IT resources, especially when Cascading Style Sheets exist.
2. Accessibility for a Fee - The notion of limiting the availability of accessible information to only those who are Gartner subscribed customers is morally reprehensible and conflicts with the underlying ideology of accessibility.
   

Unbelievable. For more information, feel free to contact accessibility@gartner.com.