Accessibility
We have been involved in the creation of accessible websites since 2000 when accessible issues started to become apparent with web technologies. We have been trained by the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) and UCLAN in accessibility issues and how to enable websites to be accessible without compromising on content or features.
What is Accessibility?
Accessibility is basically ensuring that a website a website can be navigated, read and used by any one regardless of physical ability. Some examples of what might make a website unusable are:
- Poor contrast
- Colour Coding
- JavaScript
- Flash
- Moving Content
- Page Changing by itself
- Pop-ups (including links opening in new windows)
This does not mean you cannot use the above, but using too much could make the site unusable. For example if you have a javascript based navigation, you need to ensure there is a back-up navigation system. Red Green Colour blindness is also very common, so colour coding information could be an issue as well. Content that opens in a new window could leave a user disorientated and breaches WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) recommendations (this feature has also been removed in XHTML).
Why is Accessibility Important?
In the UK there is both UK and European laws protecting the rights of disabled people to have access to services and goods. For the UK there is the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Part III - Access to Goods and Services that came into force on 1 October 2004. For education providers there is also SEDA that applies to access of information and services provided on an education providers site to used as part of a students educational experience.
What can I do to ensure my site is accessible?
The RNIB and W3C have a number of resources to help you ensure you website is accessible. Some simple things are:
- Use text rather than images
- Include Alt tags in meaningful images (images that are just there for decoration do not need alt tags)
- Use tables for data not layout
- Use the TH tags in tables for header cells
- See if you can use your site with JavaScrip and CSS disabled and just using your keyboard
- Ensure any audio or video clips have a transcript available
- Follow the guidance on the Clear English Campaign Website