Web Accessibilty

Resources

[Nov 23, 2009 14:09] Web access to Microsoft Live@edu accounts now works.

Resource Types

There are many resources available to help you design an accessible site, several of which were referenced in the creation of the materials you have just reviewed. The resource materials fall into two categories: reference materials, and validation tools.

Reference materials

W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) provides the following list of 10 quick tips for Web accessibility. The tips are intended as a mneumonic device for WAI's full document, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0. The 10 quick tips are as follows:

  1. Images and animations:
    Use the ALT attribute to describe the function of each visual.
  2. Image maps:
    Use client-side MAP and text for hotspots.
  3. Multimedia:
    Provide captioning and transcripts of audio, and descriptions of video.
  4. Hypertext links:
    Use text that makes sense when read out of content. For example, avoid "click here."
  5. Page organization:
    Use headings, lists, and consistent structure. Use cascading style sheets (CSS) for layout and style where possible.
  6. Graphs and charts:
    Summarize or use the LONGDESC attribute.
  7. Scripts, applets, and plugins:
    Provide alternative content in the event that active features are inaccessible or unsupported.
  8. Frames:
    Use the NOFRAMES element and meaningful frame titles.
  9. Tables:
    Make line-by-line reading sensible. Summarize.
  10. Check your work:
    Use validation tools, checklists, and guidelines.

Dartmouth's Accessibility Design Guidelines provide a very thorough discussion of ways to format HTML and other Web design elements for accessibility.

Validation Tools

There are several options for validating the accessibility of your sites. Some options are tools provided by vendors or organizations, others are simple steps you can take using tools you probably already use in Web design. Seven validation tools follow:

  • Bobby: CAST, an educational, not-for-profit organization that supports technology accessibility for all, created a tool to help Web page authors identify and repair significant barriers to access by individuals with disabilities. CAST's newest validation software tool, Bobby Worldwide, is available at CAST's site.
  • A-Prompt: A free software tool developed through a collaboration of the University of Toronto and the University of Wisconsin, A-Prompt enables helps Web designers identify and repair errors in their pages that prevent individuals with disabilities from complete utilization of the site's content.
  • Macromedia Dreamweaver Extensions: Macromedia provides a clearinghouse service for free "extensions" to its products. There are several extensions available to check Web accessibility. Upon entering Macromedia's extension list site, browse for "accessibility." You may need to sign up with Macromedia before you have access to download extensions and the accompanying extension manager software, however there is no charge for these tools.
  • Turn off images in your browser: see the instructions for turning off images in your browser presented on the scenarios section of these materials.
  • Use Lynx, a graphics-free text browser: to view a site with Lynx, open a UNIX session (for example, on blue.unix.virginia.edu through SecureCRT). At the command line, type lynx [url]. For example:
    node8 ~ $ lynx www.cast.org/bobby
  • Save your Web page as a .txt file.
  • Vischeck: A disability-specific validation tool for checking accessibility for colorblind users.

If you need further assistance with Web applications or questions, contact the ITC Help Desk.

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