The Disability Discrimination Act says that websites must be made accessible to disabled people. So how can you check that your website is up to par? There are a number of basic tests you can make to address some of the main issues that provide a good start in increasing accessibility to your site visitors:
1. Check informational images for alternative text
Place the cursor over an informational image, for example, the organisation logo. Does a yellow box appear with a brief, accurate description of the image? For users whose browsers do not support images, this alternative text is what they will see (or hear) in place of the image.
2. Check decorative images for alternative text
Place the cursor over a decorative image that does not have any function other than to look nice. Does a yellow box appear with a description of the image? It should not. There is no reason for users whose browsers do not support images to know that this image is there, as it serves no purpose.
Be careful though as this is not a foolproof test. If a yellow box does not appear, this could mean one of two things:
- The alternative text of the image is assigned a null value, which means that it will be ignored by browsers that do not support images. This is the ideal scenario.
- The alternative text of the image is simply not set at all, which means that users whose browsers do not support images will be alerted to its existence but will be unable to find out what purpose it carries ? something which is very frustrating! This is certainly not the desired outcome.
3. 'Listen' to any video or audio content with the volume turned off
If you turn your speakers off, you are clearly unable to listen to, or follow, any audio content. This situation is faced by a deaf person on a daily basis. Ensure your website supplies written transcripts, so that deaf people can understand the message that your website is conveying.
4. Check that forms are accessible
Usually there is prompt text next to each item in a form. For example, a contact form might have the prompt text 'name', 'e-mail', and 'comments', each one next to a box where your site users will enter the information. When you click on the prompt text, does a flashing cursor appear in the box next to that text? If not, your forms are inaccessible.
5. Check that text can be resized
In Internet Explorer (used by over 90% of Internet users) go to View > Font size > Largest. Does the text on your website increase in size? If not, then your website is inaccessible to web users with poor visibility.
6. Check your website in the Lynx browser
The Lynx browser is a text-only browser and does not support many of the features that other browsers such as Internet Explorer have. You can check how your site looks in this browser with the Lynx Viewer, available at http://www.delorie.com/web/lynxview.html. If your website makes sense and can be navigated through the Lynx browser, then it will be fulfilling many of the web accessibility guidelines.
7. Check that you can access all areas of your website without the use of a mouse
Can you navigate through your website using just tab, shift-tab and return? If not, then neither can keyboard- and voice-only users.
8. Check that there is a site map
Can you find a site map? If not, then neither can people who are lost on your website.
9. Ensure link text makes sense out of context
Blind Internet users often browse websites by tabbing from one link to the next. Does all the link text on your website make sense out of context? 'Click here' and 'more' are two common examples of non-descriptive link text.
10. Check your web pages with an automated program
Two programs available for free on the Internet are Bobby ( http://bobby.watchfire.com ) and Wave ( http://www.wave.webaim.org ). They are unable to provide you with all the information that you need, as some checks must be done by humans, but they can tell you some of the areas where your site might be going wrong.
This article was written by Trenton Moss. He's crazy about web usability and accessibility - so crazy that he went and started his own web usability and accessibility consultancy ( Webcredible - http://www.webcredible.co.uk ) to help make the Internet a better place for everyone.
Rolling Meadows Cadillac Escalade rental .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareVisitors to your site come looking for information or solutions... Read More
I still remember it very clear ... It was almost... Read More
Most people know they need a website in order to... Read More
Writing for the web is totally different to writing for... Read More
Everyone wants one.Everyone wishes they knew how to make one.SOME... Read More
Knowledge is power.And undoubtedly, it is the key to making... Read More
The following is a list of patterns that many visitors... Read More
The definition of the phrase "Content Management" depends on what... Read More
Simply ensuring your website is accessible to screen reader users... Read More
In this example I have used the map of the... Read More
I had a client say something to me the other... Read More
What is CSS?CSS is a simple file which controls the... Read More
I recently helped my mom to launch a website (www.mom2me.com)... Read More
Before you set up any scripts you will need some... Read More
Many of site owners still don't realize all advantages of... Read More
2 Golden Rules for an Engaging Website35% of visitors fail... Read More
A simple website stats counter is not enough if you... Read More
Never has competition been so difficult in the Internet world.... Read More
If you are like me you have wanted to build... Read More
What is the point of having a website, you may... Read More
Internet Marketing is not a miracle marketing strategy ? competition... Read More
Are you aware that 90% of the websites on the... Read More
So you have a good idea for a business and... Read More
It never ceases to amaze me how many people set-up... Read More
Getting a Targeted Visitor to a website is a waste... Read More
Des Moines rental limo .."Build it and they will come."--Filed of Dreams (1989) If... Read More
Globalize Your WebsiteThe Internet has unlocked a wide array of... Read More
When we review the sites of potential clients, there are... Read More
It may come as some surprise to a traditionally off-line... Read More
Go to any internet marketing forum you want these days... Read More
It never ceases to amaze me how many people set-up... Read More
After having decided to start a business, the next thing... Read More
Designing and creating your own website does not have to... Read More
The DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) states that service providers must... Read More
Succeeding with an eCommerce website is a dream for many... Read More
Server Side Includes (SSI) with ASP People often... Read More
When marketing your website, it's important to know which of... Read More
Most people know they need a website in order to... Read More
Fresh website content for your visitors can be of real... Read More
Is your website Really useful?I had a 'rep' in yesterday... Read More
There are many different traffic analysis tools, ranging from simple... Read More
Anyone who knows anything about web accessibility knows that images... Read More
So you want to have a website. You have gone... Read More
Why do some sites succeed while the vast majority of... Read More
Web templates by nature are created to aid and ease... Read More
RIVERSIDE, CA August 4, 2004 ?- "Historically, small business owners... Read More
If you are like me you have wanted to build... Read More
While it may seem like a "quick and easy" task,... Read More
"'Page Not Found' on this Server. Check the URL and... Read More
Do you need a web site? Are you considering getting... Read More
Web Development |