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Who is the Internet For?

The web accessibility icon that should be used on most websites.

Openness

Why?

The open web is important because it can start a chain of ideas as anyone is able to see what is posted and build off of it. It creates a collaboration factor that allows people to view anything and become inspired from it, creating their own ideas based off of it.

How?

Openness can be achieved through public posts such as Wikipedia articles, recipes from a blog post, or restaurant reviews. Through these public posts, viewers are able to take the information into consideration when writing a paper, or making dinner, or choosing where to go out to lunch. For example, see if you would want to eat here with this Restaurant Review of Rey Azteca.

Accessibility

Why?

Accessibility is important to ensure that each individual is able to view the content. Making information accessible for all promotes an equality factor, that allows those with disabilities to have the same abilities as those without. Providing accessibility is not only just the right thing to do, but it is also mandatory according to the law in some countries.

How?

Ways to make content accessible can vary from headings and subheadings, to the use of subtitles on videos, descriptive link texts, colors for graphics and more. There is no way a person can make content 100% accessible, however there is always something that can be added in order to allow a higher accessibility level. While those with disabilities will benefit greatly from these tools, others will also find them useful as it is an extra way to gather information needed.

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Rachel

Rachel is a senior business administration major at UMW. She plays on the Women’s Lacrosse team and is also the President of Cru Campus Ministry.

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Who is the internet for?

An image of the earth in blue and black with bright circles and connecting lines floating above the earth.

Openness

Why?

The open web is a place where innovation and creativity grow. It allows for collaboration between people who would otherwise be unable to connect.

How?

Openness is achieved through public access to information and ideas. Open-source software also helps achieve openness on the internet when people are able to use code others have made.

Accessibility

Why?

Accessibility is important because it ensures that everyone can have access to the information they need. This promotes equality and leads to a more informed society.

How?

Accessibility is achieved through inclusive design choices. Some design choices include the use of heading and subheadings, image descriptions and descriptive link text. W3C Designing for Web Accessibility.

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Who is the internet for?

Openness

Why?

The open web was and is a pioneering discovery of our time. It invented the ability to connect with anyone from anywhere at anytime and share anything- a truly remarkable creation! The openness of the internet allows us to share quite literally anything with everyone who has access to the web. Recipes, solutions to problems, event planning inspo, how-to’s, and the list could go on forever. The openness of content on the internet has created a certain kind of convenience that there has never been before.

How?

Much open web content is made possible through open-source software like GIMP or WordPress. Another example of open content would be blog groups like Reddit, where individuals are able to ask a question they have or state a problem they’re having and people can respond with answers and feedback to help (or just share chicken recipes). Take a look for yourself. Reddit chicken recipes thread.

Accessibility

Why?

To those who have never heard of ‘accessible’ content, it might be hard to understand what it is, and why or how it is made. In plain English, accessible content is going to be able to be viewed not just by people without disabilities, but also people with disabilities. Take someone who is deaf, for example, trying to watch a video without subtitles. That piece of content is inaccessible for them. Creating accessible content allows your content to reach a broader audience, giving you a greater chance of reaching whatever goal you have, and is just straight up the right thing to do, even if it creates an extra step and takes some extra time to do.

How?

There is no straight forward ‘how’ to make accessible content. It depends on things like what kind of content you’re making and what you’re trying to accomplish and it requires you to be considerate and think about how someone with disabilities may or may not be able to view your content. As Professor Cartland said, “Nothing is ever 100% accessible, or 100% open. But creators can make choices about what level to aspire to, and work to reach that goal.” Some common features of accessible content include things like alt text for photos, closed captions on videos, and choosing high contrast colors for word graphics.

View over the should of a man who is sat at his desk browsing the open web on his laptop.
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Danaja

Danaja is a Junior at the University of Mary Washington. She is currently studying International Affairs and Asian Studies. In her spare time, Danaja likes to knit, study Japanese, bake and listen to music. Danaja is originally from South Carolina, but spent most of her life in Woodbridge, VA. She has two older siblings. Danaja hopes to study in Japan in the near future.

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Coni

Coni is a sophomore at the University of Mary Washington pursuing a double major in marketing and digital communications. Outside of class, she is a peer mentor and works for Student Activities and Engagement. Coni grew up in Virginia with her family, which consists of her mom, dad, twin sister, & younger sister. A fun fact about Coni is that Dancing With The Stars is her favorite show.

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Summer Koontz

Summer Koontz is a sophomore Communications and Digital Studies student at the University of Mary Washington where she is also a part of the university’s competitive and sideline cheerleading team. Prior to UMW, Koontz grew up in Culpeper, VA. While there, she attended Germanna Community College for her Associate’s Degree. Koontz currently works under Culpeper County Parks & Recreation where she is shadowing employees that specialize in social media, newspaper, website and radio marketing for sports and cultural programs in the area. Post-graduation, Koontz hopes to pursue a career in media management and marketing.

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Meaghan Van Dyke

Meaghan is a Creative Writing major from Williamsburg, Virginia. She is co-president of the Fine Print Poetry Club on campus, and loves reading, writing, baking, and spending time outside with friends. She has a goldendoodle named Ziggy back home who she misses very much.

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Kai Otero

Kaira, or ‘Kai’ Otero, is a senior at the University of Mary Washington, majoring in Historic Preservation. Her favorite drink is her post workout chocolate milk and her favorite place to eat out is Chipotle. If you asked her where she’d rather be right now, she would say, “the beach.”

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Alexa

Alexa is a senior psychology major at the University of Mary Washington. She was born and raised in Fredericksburg, VA, along with her two older brothers. She graduated from Germanna Community College in 2023, with an Associate’s of Arts and Sciences, with a focus in biology. She currently works at a local dog daycare, where she has been employed for the past two years.

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