Web Accessibility Web Services Office of Communications

What is Web accessibility? Web accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent access to websites by people of diverse abilities. When sites are designed, developed and edited correctly, all users would have equal access to information and functionality. The Web is fundamentally designed to work for all people, that include all people no matter what their hardware, software, language, culture, location of physical or mental ability. Access to the Web has become an essential requirement for full participation for the information society.

Benefits of Web accessibility In addition to access to information, there is also a strong business case for accessibility. It overlaps with other best practices such as mobile Web design, usability, design for older users and optimized searches. Case studies have shown that accessible websites have: Better search results Reduced maintenance costs And increased audience reach.

Why is Web accessibility important? The web is becoming an increasingly important resource in many aspects of life in fields such as: Education Employment Government Commerce Health care Recreation It is essential that the Web can be accessible in order to provide equal access and equal opportunity for everyone so they can actively participate in society.

How People with Disabilities Use the Web Alternative keyboards or switches Scanning software Screen magnifiers Screen readers Speech recognition Tabbing through structural elements Text browsers Visual notification Voice browsers

Examples of Web Accessibility Here are some examples of things you can do: Keep navigation the same on each page Have a way for the user to increase/decrease font on pages. Have a high enough contrast between background color and text color. Have alternative text for graphics and videos: Alt text for images and charts Captions and/or transcripts for videos Have links that make sense. Avoid “click here” as link text. Forms and tables should be properly formatted and labeled with the correct HTML.

Examples of Web Accessibility (cont) Content Relevant content for the page Relevant page titles Heading markup Correct HTML markup for relevant content For scripts, applets and plugins Have an alternative way to access the information Offer information in plain text format when possible; PDFs and Flash files are not easily accessible Do not use different colored text to convey meaning

Evaluating and Testing for Web Accessibility When developing or redesigning a site, evaluate and identify issues early during the process. Try disabling the style sheet, if the content and format is still readable, then the site is accessible. In other words, do not rely on styling to convey core messages. Testing Resources Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools List

Web Accessibility at UT Dallas The University must comply with the Texas administrative code Accessibility standard, and therefore all Web pages containing University information that are built, updated or revised must comply with it. TAC establishes only a minimum standard for accessibility and Web pages; developers are encouraged to go beyond the minimum whenever possible. UT Dallas is committed to provide accessibility for its website. University Web Services ensures the home and gateway pages meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA Web accessibility standards and promotes best practices in accessibility to UT Dallas Web developers.

Resources Knowbility’s Accessibility Training Web Accessibility for Section 508Web Accessibility for Section 508 by Jim Thatcher Web Accessibility ChecklistWeb Accessibility Checklist developed by WebAim Web Accessibility InitiativeWeb Accessibility Initiative (WAI)