What
makes a site "accessible'?
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) outlines ten main components
of web site design and structure that most significantly impact accessibility.
These guidelines are summarized below in do and don't fashion. To
read the full version of the guidelines, visit the W3C's
Web Site's Section on Accessibility Guidelines.
Alternate Content:
Not providing alternate content to auditory and visual site components
including graphical navigation elements, multimedia and graphics
utilizing client-side image maps.
Color:
Not relying on color alone to convey contextual information-
any information conveyed with color differentiations should be readable
in a non-visual way. Also ensuring sufficient color contrast so that
content is readable by visitors with color deficits.
Markup Language & Style Sheets:
Proper use of markup language and style sheets to render pages easily
for visitors using assistive technologies to view your site.
Primary Language:
Primary Language Identification and explanation of any acronyms or
abbreviations used within pages at its first occurrence.
Transformation of Tables & New Technologies:
Proper use of tables and new technologies to be accessible, make
sure they will transform gracefully from browser viewing to assistive
technology viewing/listening.
Time Sensitive Content Changes:
Ensure user control of time-sensitive content changes- make sure
your forms don't time out on visitors using assistive technologies.
It often takes these visitors longer to fill out forms, place orders,
etc. Provide a mechanism to allow these users to complete the form
(change the time out interval). Also do not set pages to auto refresh.
Applets & Scripts:
Make sure any applets or scripts used are compatible with assistive
technologies.
Design for Device Independence:
Provide alternate text only pages and keyboard access to scripts
and other actions.
Interim Solutions:
Utilize interim solutions until the technology improves.
Contextual Information:
Provide contextual and orientation information throughout the site
- use page titles, label form fields, etc.
Navigation:
Provide clear navigation mechanisms.
Simplicity & Clarity:
Ensure that documents are clear and simple - consistency across a
site is also important. |
