Accessible Website Design
You may be wondering what on earth has building and designing websites have to do with disabilities and the disabled?
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, and that they can contribute to the Web. Web accessibility also benefits others, including older people with changing abilities due to aging.
Government departments in most countries are required by law to provide accessible websites and in the UK it is law that websites must be accessible to the disabled, including the blind. But how can a blind person view a website, I hear you ask. Well they can't "see" the page in the sense a sighted person can so they use a tool called a screen reader. You can find more information on screen readers here, but basically a screen reader is a software application on your computer that attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the computer screen, in this case a web page. This interpretation is then represented to the user with text-to-speech, sound icons, or a braille output device.
Currently most Web sites and Web software have accessibility barriers that make it difficult or impossible for many people with disabilities to use the Web. As more accessible Web sites and software become available, people with disabilities are able to use and contribute to the Web more effectively.
Much of the focus on Web accessibility has been on the responsibilities of Web developers. However, Web software also has a vital role in Web accessibility. Software needs to help developers produce and evaluate accessible Web sites, and be usable by people with disabilities.
When sites are correctly designed, developed and edited, all users can have equal access to information and functionality. For example, when a site is coded with semantically meaningful HTML, with textual equivalents provided for images and with links named meaningfully, this helps blind users using text-to-speech software and/or text-to-Braille hardware.
When text and images are large and/or enlargable, it is easier for users with poor sight to read and understand the content.
When flashing effects are avoided or made optional, users prone to seizures caused by these effects are not put at risk.
When content is written in plain language and illustrated with instructional diagrams and animations, users with dyslexia and learning difficulties are better able to understand the content.
When clickable links and areas are large, this helps users who cannot control a mouse with precision.
When pages are coded so that users can navigate by means of the keyboard alone, or a single switch access device alone, this helps users who cannot use a mouse or even a standard keyboard.
When sites are correctly built and maintained, all of these users can be accommodated while not impacting on the usability of the site for non-disabled users.
When links are underlined (or otherwise differentiated) as well as coloured, this ensures that color blind users will be able to notice them.
When videos are closed captioned or a sign language version is available, deaf and hard of hearing users can understand the video.
We will also be taking a look at how to design and build a website whether it is a personal home page, or a way of supplementing your income by selling products, advertising space, or making commissions via affiliate programs. This information will be of value not just to people with disabilities, but to all persons wanting to build their first website. Even experienced webmasters are bound to pick up a few tips and tricks - especially in our search engine optimization tips and instructions.
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