Openness
Openness on the internet refers to the free availability of some online work. Open content can exist in the form of blogs, videos, code, and more.
How?
To create open content, one might use, or even create, an open platform to share on. WordPress is a wonderful example of an open platform, as it allows users to create and access websites for free.
Why?
Creating open content is a way of building community online and spreading knowledge. Because open resources are free, more people can use them, ultimately making creation and self-sufficiency more attainable. The more you give to a community, the more it can give back to you.
Source
See this paper from the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development for more information on the benefits of the open internet.
Accessibility
When something is created with accessibility in mind, there is an expectation that people with disabilities can use it with the same ease as people who are not disabled. This expectation applies to the internet, too.
How?
By using features such as heading structure, captions, alternative text, and descriptive link text, web designers can make their sites accessible. Often, platforms create ways for users to opt into accessible design features. YouTube, for example, allows creators the option to create their own captions or rely on the automated ones the platform creates.
Why?
By making a piece of internet content accessible, one is able to serve a wider audience and will potentially get their product, service, or message to more people. Additionally, there are lots of accessible features that end up benefiting people they weren’t originally intended for. For example, a hearing person might use closed captions when watching something in a loud space.
Source
See this page on the pros of accessible design from Nexus Inclusion for more about the benefits of accessible internet design.
