ABSTRACT
User diversity is vital for eff ective conceptualization and practice of universal access. Failure to consider user diversity during design, development, and testing of applications leads to “technological exclusion” (Gabriel and Benoit, 2003) of some sections in society, preventing them from participating in the dynamic of scientifi c progress. Technological exclusion refers to a phenomenon whereby a technological environment ignores the presence and needs of the demographic heterogeneity of its users and excludes certain segments of society from benefi ting from technological applications. In our globalized world interconnected by technology, failure to consider user diversity in the design and application of technology can lead to a lack of cohesion in society itself. e phenomenon of technological privilege arises when certain users are provided with opportunities to benefi t from applications while others are denied the same because of a failure to include their needs during the design process. Hence, technological privilege can add another divisive layer to existing barriers such as class, race, and gender. With an understanding of user diff erences, designers will be able to incorporate techniques to enable all users to obtain equal advantage when using the system. With this objective in mind, the Web Accessibility Initiative (https://www.w3.org/WAI) was created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). is initiative provides guidelines
to ensure and improve accessibility by taking into consideration various diversity factors. rough the development of guidelines for design, educational and outreach programs, and research operations, the Web Accessibility Initiative aims to make the World Wide Web more usable for all users. Initiatives such as this are required in all areas of technological development, and the widely used World Wide Web provides a good example of such an inclusive application cognizant of diversity.
