I recently failed to get a job for an organisation working in an area where the accessibility of their Website should have been a priority (I will not say exactly who their site was aimed at - except to say that it was disabled people).

The fact that I didn't get the job is not important - what is is the reason given. The explanation was that the 'liked the design' of the mockup put forward by one of the other organisations - and that they would be taking the middle route between accessibility and good design.

In my opinion these are not opposites - good design is primarily about communicating the right message to your chosen audience - usability and accessibility are vital parts of that communication. If your audience can't access your Website they can't 'get' your message.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001