Web Accessibility for People With Disabilities: An Introduction for Web Developers
http://www.ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/47/20887/00968105.pdf
  peer-reviewed

Carter, Jeff and Mike Markel
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
2001

Abstract:

This article presents an overview of the topic of web access for people with disabilities. First, we describe the four basic disabilities and explain the benefits of making sites accessible, as well as the reasons that more sites are not accessible. We review the relevant laws regarding web access, and we then discuss efforts being made by vendors and professional organizations, especially Microsoft and the World Wide Web Consortium, to encourage accessibility. Finally, we describe major resources that web developers might consult to assist them in making their sites accessible to people with disabilities.