Final answer:
Contrary to the myth, accessible web pages are not excessively time-consuming or expensive to create. Modern tools have made web accessibility more straightforward, potentially improving SEO and compliance with legal standards. The time-saving abilities of technology can be inconsistent, but the availability of tools has democratized content creation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The myth that accessible web pages are too time-consuming and expensive to create is largely unfounded. In reality, the initial phase of understanding accessibility guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), might seem daunting but incorporating such practices early in the web design process can actually save time and resources in the long run.
Accessible design can also enhance SEO, potentially driving more traffic to the site and offering a significant return on investment. Furthermore, with advancing tools and technologies that support accessibility, creating web pages that are usable by everyone has become much easier and more cost-effective. It's also important to keep in mind that, beyond a moral and ethical responsibility, there is a legal aspect regarding accessibility, especially for public and governmental sites which must comply with standards like Section 508 in the United States.
Considering the broader context, technology has indeed introduced a plethora of devices aimed at saving time, but not always delivering on that promise — like websites that do not load properly or technology that increases the amount of time employees are expected to be active. However, the rapid spread of technology has also made it easier and cheaper to create content, with more tools available for web development. While the challenge of balancing various elements such as text, images, and formatting to create effective web content remains, the existence of these tools and platforms has facilitated the dissemination of not just corporate media but also user-generated content.