THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

April 4, 1997

Congratulations on the launch of the Web Accessibility Initiative -- an effort to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the Internet's World Wide Web.

New information and communications technologies can improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, but only if such technologies are designed from the beginning so that everyone can use them. Given the explosive growth in the use of the World Wide Web for publishing, electronic commerce, lifelong learning and the delivery of government services, it is vital that the Web be accessible to everyone. The Web Accessibility Initiative will develop the tools, technology, and guidelines to make it possible to display information in ways that are available to all users.

I commend the World Wide Web Consortium, industry sponsors, and the Yuri Rubinski Foundation for launching this important project. I am pleased that the Department of Education will provide funding for the Web Accessibility Initiative, and that the National Science Foundation is considering expanding its support for research and development in this area. My administration is committed to working with these and other organizations to ensure that this innovative project is a success.