1. Web Accessibility

2. Why accessibility? "The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect." -- Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web -- Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web http://www.w3.org/WAI/

3. Why accessibility? Some Web users: Some Web users: –may not be able to see, hear, move, or may not be able to process some types of information easily or at all. –may have difficulty reading or comprehending text. –may not have or be able to use a keyboard or mouse. –may have a text-only screen, a small screen, or a slow Internet connection. –may not speak or understand fluently the language in which the document is written. –may have an early version of a browser, a different browser entirely, a voice browser, or a different operating system. http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10/

4. Providing Accessibility Ensuring graceful transformation Ensuring graceful transformation –Creating web that remain accessible despite barriers. Key concepts include: separating structure from presentation, providing textual equivalents, creating information alternatives, and avoiding reliance on one hardware type. Making content understandable and navigable Making content understandable and navigable –Making access clear, simple, and functional for different users.

5. Key Guidelines Provide equivalent alternative to auditory and visual content. Provide equivalent alternative to auditory and visual content. –e.g., always provide text links when using graphical navigation buttons Don’t rely on color alone. Don’t rely on color alone. –e.g., if color is used to cue users, make it a redundant cue by using other formatting also

6. Key Guidelines Use markup and style sheets and do so properly. Use markup and style sheets and do so properly. –e.g., use style sheets rather than structural elements like tables to format information Clarify natural language usage. Clarify natural language usage. –e.g., identify changes in language use on a page

7. Key Guidelines Create tables that transform gracefully. Create tables that transform gracefully. –e.g., use tables for tabular information rather than for layout. Ensure that pages featuring new technologies transform gracefully. Ensure that pages featuring new technologies transform gracefully. –e.g., organize documents so that they work with older browsers, that scripts work even if scripting is disabled, etc.

8. Key Guidelines Ensure user control of time-sensitive content changes. Ensure user control of time-sensitive content changes. –e.g., until user control is available, avoid moving text, blinking, and similar features Ensure direct accessibility of embedded user interfaces. Ensure direct accessibility of embedded user interfaces. –e.g., if you provide your own navigation interface, make sure it is accessible like the interface to the browser itself

9. Key Guidelines Design for device-independence. Design for device-independence. –e.g., allow for multiple forms of input such as keyboard as well as mouse Use interim solutions. Use interim solutions. –e.g., find ways to present content that will work with older browser technologies while new ones are being developed

10. Key Guidelines Use W3C technologies and guidelines. Use W3C technologies and guidelines. Provide context and orientation information. Provide context and orientation information. Provide clear navigation mechanisms. Provide clear navigation mechanisms. Ensure that documents are clear and simple. Ensure that documents are clear and simple.

11. Accessibility Benefits Providing accessibility will not only make your website available to everyone, it will help to make your site easier to use and navigate for everyone. Providing accessibility will not only make your website available to everyone, it will help to make your site easier to use and navigate for everyone.