Posted by
admin – July 30, 2010
Let the wars begin in today’s article we are going to look at the different web browsers available and what this means for accessibility.
To start off I thought we would look at what the Top 5 Web Browsers by Usage in April 2009 were:
1. Internet Explorer
2. FireFox
3. Chrome
4. Safari
5. Opera
If you are interested you can check out a Complete list of Web Browsers available at Wikipedia.
For those who are interested in understanding the differences between the different web browsers available today and the different features they currently offer check out the Comparison of web browsers article on Wikipedia.
So now we know what Web Browsers exist and what the difference are we will look at why this important in terms of accessibility.
A Key reason to make sure site is accessible is that with over 100 different Web Browsers available today you want to make sure your web site will work is most if not ALL of these browsers to give you largest possible audience for your web site.
So how do I make sure my web site will work in all these browsers? This is quite simple to make sure your web site will work in as many web browsers as possible and reach the largest number of visitors possible you need to make sure it complies with as many of the 12 Guidelines set out in the web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 as possible you can view the guidelines at http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/ .
Stay Tuned for Part 2 of Browsers Wars in Early August 2010.
Posted by
admin – July 30, 2010
Today I thought it would be fun play a game of Web Accessibility True or False.
Below are 15 True or False Questions about web accessibility simply submit your answers using the comments for this Blog and then this time next week I will publish the answers so you can see how many you got correct.
1. By Law in most countries All Web Sites are required to meet a certain level of accessibility.
2. All flash based content is completely inaccessible.
3. Only People using screen readers require accessible web sites.
4. It is expensive to Test your site accessibility.
5. W3C stands for World Wide Web Company.
6. All Web Browsers will display the same Web Page Exactly the same.
7. All Blogs are 100% Accessible.
8. Building an Accessible web site is expensive and time consuming.
9. Google Adds make your site inaccessible.
10. All Images should have ALT tags with detailed descriptions of the image.
11. It is possible to create accessible Online Presentations.
12. Using Java or Javascript in your web site will make it inaccessible.
13. W3C make the law on Web Accessibility.
14. Online Forums and Social Networking sites are accessible.
15. A Web Site should flow easily and each page should have a clear title to allow easy navigation by your visitors.
Posted by
admin – February 9, 2010
Welcome to the first in a series of articles which will explore the WCAG 2.0.
Over the next month we will be look at each of the points in details and explore what this means for your web site.
Below is a outline of World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 (Sourced from http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/)
* 1 Perceivable
o 1.1 Provide text alternatives for any non-text content so that it can be changed into other forms people need, such as large print, braille, speech, symbols or simpler language.
o 1.2 Provide alternatives for time-based media.
o 1.3 Create content that can be presented in different ways (for example simpler layout) without losing information or structure.
o 1.4 Make it easier for users to see and hear content including separating foreground from background.
* 2 Operable
o 2.1 Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
o 2.2 Provide users enough time to read and use content.
o 2.3 Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures.
o 2.4 Provide ways to help users navigate, find content, and determine where they are.
* 3 Understandable
o 3.1 Make text content readable and understandable.
o 3.2 Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.
o 3.3 Help users avoid and correct mistakes.
* 4 Robust
o 4.1 Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies.
Posted by
admin – February 7, 2010
Well since this site cannot be the one and only resource available on the internet about Web Accessibility I thought I would share a few of favorite web sites.
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative
WebAIM
Wikipedia – Entry of Web Accessibility
Vision Australia – Australian Web Accessibility Policies and Guidelines
Section 508 The Road to Accessibility
IBM Accessibility
Australian Human Rights Commission – Disability Rights World Wide Web Accessibility
Of course there are probally thousands of web sites out there on Web Accessibility but there are the ones I have found most useful.
If you have any suggestions of other sites please feel free to add a comment to this post.
Posted by
admin – December 29, 2009
The World Wide Web has the potential to make information more accessible to people with disabilities by facilitating the use of adaptive technologies for presenting information in multiple ways.
However, as the capabilities of the Web have advanced, the addition of technical and creative enhancements such as images, audio and video clips, JavaScript’s, flash and shockwave animations, and techniques for forcing the layout and style of Web pages have often conspired to make the Web inaccessible to those with physical impairments.
Universal accessibility to the Web means that all people, regardless of their physical or developmental abilities or impairments, have access to Web-based information and services. Making Web pages accessible is accomplished by designing Web pages that allow the effective use of adaptive technologies to access their content.
Source: Egan, Candace. California State University, Fresno Interim Web Accessibility Plan, June 18, 2001.
