FreeLists / webproducers / [webproducers] Re: creating accessible websites and how it impacts the project life cycle

["Cortney Sellers" <cortney@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

--> still had no responses hmmmm .......... I wonder why ?

This is my own opinion....so take it for what it's worth.

Many companies don't truthfully focus on design from an accessibility stand
point. Being disabled, I have considered researching this particular venue,
but haven't had time.  Aside from that, there are several factors to
consider:

* recent rulings against designs for accessibility (under appeal)
* considerations for the vision impaired: color-blindness, far-sightedness,
near-sightedness, legally blind, etc
* considerations for the mobility impaired: usually nav items being too
close in proximity to each other
* eventual considerations for the hearing impaired.  (I personally believe
with todays audio technology -- something can be done in this area as well.)
* and probably more once I sit down to research it

Now having said that -- making a website accessible may not be as hard as
you'd think.  Some quick tips/tricks:

* Use high contrasting colors (dark on light or vice versa)

* Use alt and title tags inline with images for screen readers -- 
        examples: alt="image of dog playing in park"
        link title:  title="link to ___section of site"

* use percent values in layouts vs absolute specific

* code fonts where an end-user can override size using their own
preferences.

Let me see if I can find some links which may help...

The Access Board:   http://www.access-board.gov/

WC3 Site:   http://www.w3.org/WAI/gettingstarted/

WC3 Accessibility Guide:   http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/

RNIB:
http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_w
ebaccesscentre.hcsp

Articles on website accessibility:
http://www.mardiros.net/accessible-web-design.html

Designing More Usable Web Sites:   http://www.tracecenter.org/world/web/

American Foundation for the blind:
http://www.afb.org/section.asp?Documentid=1449

Web Accessible Guide:  http://webaccessibledesign.ciwstudy.com/
WebAIM:  http://www.webaim.org/

Color tips:  http://www.lighthouse.org/color_contrast.htm

A tool - http://bobby.watchfire.com/bobby/html/en/index.jsp

Accessify.com:  http://www.accessify.com/

Tons more at google.... I used search terms: 
website+accessible+design
website+color+blind+accessible+design

I had a site where you could post your code and view it the way someone with
color-blindness would see it.  It's backed up in email on a CD somewhere.
I'll see if I can find it for you.

Hope this helps. :)

Cortney



-----Original Message-----
From: webproducers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:webproducers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Zahid Hossain
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 5:54 AM
To: webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [webproducers] creating accessible websites and how it impacts the
project life cycle

Can anyone give me some advice on the subject creating accessible websites
impact on the project life cycle?
Any useful  thoughts, websites, books and resources would be appreciated.

still had no responses hmmmm .......... I wonder why ?

Many Thanks

Zahid Hossain
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