Website Accessibility and the Law - Joe Clark
Thursday, 30 July 2009
I just had to post this link to the HTML version of a chapter about "Accessibility and the Law" from the book Building Accessible Websites by Joe Clark, 2002. This webpage provides easy to understand information about both the 'Americans with Disabilities Act' and the 'U.S. Section 508' requirements.
http://joeclark.org/book/sashay/serialization/AppendixA.html
Joe Clark really knows his stuff when it comes to accessibility and I have learnt a lot from his publications & articles. I hope you find the link interesting.
The whole book is also available for online reading here : http://joeclark.org/book/sashay/serialization/
If you have any questions about accessibility and the law, don't hesitate to contact me.
Visit me at : Simplicity User Experience Optimisation
Posted byCharlie M at 09:19 0 comments
Accessible Twitter
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Did you know that there is an accessible version of twitter?
It had long been known that twitter.com has some accessibility issues... No keyboard access to favorite/reply/delete, few headings, inflexible layout width...
However, Denis Lembree has created a site to fix these issues:
http://www.accessibletwitter.com/
The project is currently in Beta, but first impressions are good!
Here are the Accessibility Features offered :
* All links are keyboard accessible.
* DM, Favorite, Reply, Re-tweet, and Delete links are all visible by default.
* Simple, consistent layout and navigation (and signed-in username always displayed).
* Headings and page titles are implemented for optimal accessibility. This includes an H3 heading (for author screen name) added to tweets to assist with screen reader users.
* Works great with or without JavaScript.
* Ajax actions are concluded with an alert that notifies the user of the result of the action.
* Large default text size and high color contrast. Layout/text resizes without breaking.
* When entering tweets, audio cues indicate when the character limit is almost reached (in addition to character counter).
* Forms and data tables are marked up for optimal accessibility.
* Code is semantic, light, and adheres to best practices in Web Standards.
* If a tweet is in response to another (and marked as such in the data), a clearer link is provided to the that tweet (not hidden). There's also a more obvious link to the "permanent page" for the tweet.
* A clearer link is provided for the "permanent" link for a tweet; the page containing only a single tweet.
* Tested on all major browsers: IE6, IE7, IE8, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Chrome.
Visit me at : Simplicity User Experience Optimisation
Posted byCharlie M at 05:58 0 comments
Apple (and iPhone) Accessibility
Here are a few links to the Apple site that documents their commitment to Accessibility.
http://www.apple.com/accessibility/
Like many other User Experience specialists, I am a big Apple fan. I'm always impressed by their sleak design, and intuitive software. Since I spend so much time at my computer, it might as well be as enjoyable as possible!
One thing that I didn't realise was that Apple have introduced screen reader to the iPhone- VoiceOver..."It’s the world’s first gesture-based screen reader, enabling you to enjoy the fun and simplicity of iPhone even if you can’t see the screen."
http://www.apple.com/accessibility/iphone/vision.html
Keep up the good work Apple!
Visit me at : Simplicity User Experience Optimisation
Posted byCharlie M at 05:23 0 comments
New accessibility features in Firefox 3.5
Monday, 27 July 2009
A very quick link post discussing the 'New accessibility features in Firefox 3.5':
http://www.marcozehe.de/2009/06/26/new-accessibility-features-in-firefox-3-5/
http://www.accessfirefox.org/Firefox_3_Accessibility_Features.php
Out of interest, what browser do you use for accessibility testing / browsing / web design?
Visit me at : http://www.simplicityuserexperience.co.uk/
Posted byCharlie M at 13:11 0 comments
Free Accessibility PDF from Jakob Nielsen : "Beyond ALT Text: Making the Web Easy to Use for Users With Disabilities"
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Jakob Nielsen (the web usability GURU) offered a free accessibility report as a new years gift in 2008. I missed the boat (for some reason...) so have only just got round to reading it. Make sure you read it too!
Here is a summary from the Nielsen Norman Group website:
-----------------------------------
The report contains:
- Results of usability tests of 19 websites with users with several different types of disabilities who are using a range of assistive technology:
- blind users using screen readers
- blind users using Braille readers
- low-vision users using screen magnifiers
- motor-impaired users
- Test data collected mainly in the United States, with some additional studies in Japan to ensure the international applicability of the recommendations
- A total of 104 users participated in the usability studies:
- 84 users with disabilities
- 20 non-disabled users who served as a control group
- 75 detailed design guidelines
This report addresses the usability of websites and intranets. The report should be used together with the standards for technical accessibility of web pages. Obviously, technical accessibility is a pre-condition for usability: if users cannot get at the content of the web pages, they also cannot use the website. Technical accessibility is necessary, but not sufficient for usability of a design. Even if a site is theoretically accessible because it follows the technical accessibility standards to the letter, it can still be very hard to use for people with disabilities.
The fact that technical accessibility is insufficient to guarantee great usability, ease of learning, and high user performance should come as no surprise. After all, countless usability studies of websites and intranets have documented severe usability problems, low success rates, and sub-optimal user performance, even when testing users with no disabilities. Being able to see everything on a webpage certainly doesn't guarantee that you will know what to do on the page or the optimal way to perform your task. This observation holds equally true for users with disabilities: just because a site is technically accessible doesn't mean that it will be easy or fast to perform tasks on the site.
This report addresses the second level in improving the user experience of websites and intranets for people with disabilities. Yes, you must ensure technical accessibility but you should also ensure good usability, ease of use, and high productivity for employees and customers with disabilities.
-----------------------------------Here is the link:
http://www.nngroup.com/reports/accessibility/beyond_ALT_text.pdf
Posted byCharlie M at 03:01 0 comments
Discounted introductory rates - Simplicity User Experience Optimisation
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Although it this is something I don’t really like to do… here is a little plug for my new business – ‘Simplicity User Experience Optimisation’ based in
To establish a healthy client base, we are offering heavily discounted introductory rates to our new clients…. So why not contact us for a quote : http://www.simplicityuserexperience.co.uk/contact.html
Remember no job is too small!
We look forward to working with you.
Posted byCharlie M at 05:39 0 comments
Web Accessibility Statements- are they required?
Web accessibility statements are common place in websites these days. However, are they really required? Shouldn't the accessibility of the page speak for itself? I would certainly be interested to hear what people think about this topic.
Nomensa, (http://www.nomensa.com) state that there are two basic functions of the Accessibility Statement :
"Firstly, it presents clear information about the target level of web accessibility for the website and the methods used to achieve those targets. It also enables the website owner to acknowledge any areas of the website where accessibility targets have not been met and to outline the proposed plan for resolving any such problem.
Secondly, an accessibility statement is a powerful declaration of commitment. People visiting the website, particularly those with disabilities, will appreciate the open acknowledgement that accessibility is a key driver for the website. A word of caution however, an accessibility statement that makes rash or false claims will only damage the reputation of the website, not enhance it!"
In my experience, Accessibility Statements are often technically complex, and are jam packed with technical jargon- which makes it difficult for average users to understand. This can exclude their use (or purpose?) for average users. Perhaps we need to understand who actually reads the statements, and focus the content accordingly? Are they written with the users or developers in mind? Or both?
Another common question is what we should include in our accessibility statements? Well, in essence there are no hard and set rules. However, Juicy Studio and Nomensa have both written great articles about what makes a good accessibility statement. Please find the hyperlinks to these articles below.
http://juicystudio.com/article/writing-a-good-accessibility-statement.php
http://www.nomensa.com/web-accessibility/create-your-own-accessibility-statement.html
To me, the most important uses of Accessibility Statements are to a) show your personal or corporate commitment to accessibility and b) to provide contact details for feedback. Is it really necessary to include the technical techniques and methods used to achieve accessibility goals?
I would be interested to hear your thoughts!
Visit me at : http://www.simplicityuserexperience.co.uk/
Posted byCharlie M at 05:06 0 comments
The In-accessibility of CAPTCHA
Monday, 20 July 2009
Don't you just hate CAPTCHA... "Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart"? The user experience of using CAPTCHA is terrible, and always a pain. I often get them wrong, and they slow down the browsing experience.
They are also in-accessible.
Recently, I have seen an increase in audio CAPTCHA which is a positive step (at least accessibility is being considered), but an alternative would be better. ..
Here is a detailed spec writing by W3c discussing the possible alternatives to CAPTCHA:
http://www.w3.org/TR/turingtest/
In addition, here is an article from WebAIM discussing the alternatives to 'spam free accessible forms': http://webaim.org/blog/spam_free_accessible_forms/
These articles certainly leave food for thought.
In a future post, I will discuss SAPTCHA (Semi Automatic Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart) which is a proposed solution to the accessibility problems of CAPTCHA.
Let me know if you have any thoughts / comments regarding SAPTCHA, CAPTCHA and it's various alternatives.
Visit me at : http://www.simplicityuserexperience.co.uk/
Posted byCharlie M at 04:58 1 comments
Web accessibility law in other countries
Saturday, 18 July 2009
I recently posted a link to an informative article which discusses in basic terms what is required to make a US web site legal against the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) from a web accessibility viewpoint.
Here is an another 'beginners guide style ' article which covers accessibility law in other countries...
http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/1167-Web-Accessibility-and-the-Law
In addition, please find the extremely informative article about UK accessibility laws from the RNIB. Essential reading:
http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_legalcase.hcsp
Visit me at : http://www.simplicityuserexperience.co.uk/
Posted byCharlie M at 09:34 0 comments
Accessibility for children - CBBC Accessible Newsreader
This is a great article from the BBC about their new CBBC Accessible Newsreader -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2009/05/introducing_the_cbbc_newsreade.html
The focus is accessibility for children using switch technology- particularly for those users with complex physical disabilities, including near total loss of motor control, who are not able to use a keyboard or mouse.
Keep up the good work BBC!
Visit me at : http://www.simplicityuserexperience.co.uk/
Posted byCharlie M at 09:23 0 comments
Accessibility testing resources in Brighton & Hove, UK
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
I found this URL which lists some useful resources for contacting visually impaired people in the Brighton and Hove, UK, for accessibility testing:
http://blindsecondlife.blogspot.com/2007/11/local-services-brighton-uk.html
In my experience, finding suitable candidates for accessibility testing can be very difficult, so these resources could be a good place for fellow Brighton'ers to start. In recent years I have had to drive all the way across the UK to find the suitable users for testing sessions!
If you need any advice or help with accessibility / usability / user experience testing sessions, please don't hesitate to get in-touch. I'm always keen to get involved.
Visit me at : http://www.simplicityuserexperience.co.uk/
Posted byCharlie M at 05:25 0 comments
Accessibility generator for skip navigation links
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
This is a great tool for those creating "skip navigation links" to improve accessibility for keyboard-only users. This generator creates skiplinks, CSS, JS, etc. Should save lots of your precious time! I'm looking forward to giving it a go myself.
http://accessify.com/tools-and-wizards/accessibility-tools/skipnav-builder/
There is also a video tutorial here: http://accessify.com/screencasts/skipnav-builder/
Enjoy!
Visit me at : http://www.simplicityuserexperience.co.uk/
Posted byCharlie M at 02:17 0 comments
An interesting article about whether your website is legal...
Monday, 6 July 2009
Here is a short and simple article from the "e-commerce resource unit" about whether or not your website is legal. The article discusses the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) in basic terms : http://www.ecru.co.uk/articles/legal.html
Visit me at : hhttp://www.simplicityuserexperience.co.uk/
Posted byCharlie M at 05:25 0 comments
How do you teach a blind person HTML?
Friday, 3 July 2009
Interesting post on accessify... how do you teach a blind person HTML...?
http://accessify.com/news/2009/04/teaching-a-blind-person-html/
Visit me at : http://www.simplicityuserexperience.co.uk/
Posted byCharlie M at 03:53 0 comments
http://www.simplicityuserexperience.co.uk/
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Do you have your own website? Are you working on a web project and need some advice? Are you thinking of building a website but don't know where to start? Would you like to improve your users web experience?
Come and see my new website... Simplicity User Experience Optimisation:
http://www.simplicityuserexperience.co.uk/
If you would like to use any of my services, please don't hesitate to get in touch (the best way is via email... http://www.simplicityuserexperience.co.uk/contact.html). You are sure to be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the service I offer AND my rates!
Remember, no job is too small!
Posted byCharlie M at 03:55 0 comments