Web Authoring

Topic 23 – Web Accessibility

Objectives

1. Explain web accessibility.

2. List the principles of accessible design.

Students should able to:

Web Accessibility

What is Web Accessibility?

Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can use the Web.

More specifically, Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web.

Web Accessibility

What is disabilities?

Disabilities that affect access to the Web, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities.

VisualHearing

MotorCognitive

Web Accessibility

Why Web Accessibility is Important?

It is essential that the Web be accessible in order to provide equal access and equal opportunity to people with disabilities.

An accessible Web can also help people with disabilities more actively participate in society.

Principles of Accessible DesignList of some key principles of accessible design:

1. Provide appropriate alternative text

2. Provide headings for data tables

3. Ensure users can complete and submit all forms4. Ensure links make sense out of context

Principles of Accessible DesignList of some key principles of accessible design:

5. Caption and/or provide transcripts for media6. Allow users to skip repetitive elements on the page

7. Do not rely on colour alone to convey meaning

Principles of Accessible DesignList of some key principles of accessible design:

8. Make sure content is clearly written and easy to read9. Make JavaScript accessible

10. Design to standards

Making Accessible Web SiteMaking a Web site accessible can be simple or complex, depending on many factors such as the type of content, the size and complexity of the site, and the development tools and environment.Many accessibility features are easily implemented if they are planned from the beginning of Web site development or redesign http://www.w3.org/WAI/impl/

Accessibility of a Web SiteWhen developing or redesigning a site, evaluating accessibility early and throughout the development process can identify accessibility problems early when it is easier to address them.

Accessibility of a Web SiteThere are evaluation tools that help with evaluation.

However, no tool alone can determine if a site meets accessibility guidelines.

Knowledgeable human evaluation is required to determine if a site is accessible.

http://www.w3.org/WAI/eval/conformance