Web Accessibility
Accessibility is the extent to which a web site is can be used by users with disabilities.
Two things going on here:
1. Support for users with disabilities for legal, ethical reasons
2. Support for non-standard browsers for financial reasons
Potential legal framework
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
Bars the Federal government from procuring electronic and information technology
(E&IT) goods and services that are not fully accessible to those with disabilities;
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in "places of public accomodation."
Section 225 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996
Requires suppliers to make telecommunications products and services accessible unless
requiring significant difficulty or expense.
Likely that government agencies will comply--not so clear with private entities.
Types of impairment:
Blind/Partial/poor sight (>1.5 million people)
Color blindness (8% males, 0.5% females)
Motor/mobility
Deafness
Seizures
Devices:
Readers
Braille terminals
Strategies:
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Should work with keyboard only
Clearly written copy
Appropriate alt text for images
Purely decorative images should not have alt text
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Provide text alternatives to multimedia content (e.g., transcripts for audio)
Good contrast in design
Color cannot be the only means to communicate something
Text navigation as primary or alternate
Skip navigation link
Page titles that describe purpose or topic
Link text provides information about link
Document usable with javascript disabled
Documents readable without style sheet
Audio controls (ability to stop audio)
Avoid flashing content between 2 and 55 Hz