accessibility

what is the way forward.

[mack]

I think a lot of sites really need to have a good thing about what their site has to offer disabled people. What are you doing to help cater for sight-impaired people for example. Nowadays there are so many different browser plug-ins that employ speech to read the text on pages, are webmasters taking this into consideration. What I am intending on doing is to make a mirror of my site that I will design with this in mind. What I would like to do is have the pages available in larger font sizes with maybe a better contrast between text and background colour. What I would also like to do is word the pages in such a way that is easier for software to read the text. The software I have been experimenting with is M$ Narrator, Does anyone have any statistics on what software is widely used in this field, and more importunity does Webmasterworld have any disabled members and if so what would you like to see more of on the web.

[ukgimp]

Although I am not disabled I have been working on few sites and have been trying to get them accessible for a variety of disabilities.

During a few surveys conducted, one of the biggest gripes is setting absolute text sizes rather than relative. I know this can cause some problems with formatting on some browsers and OS, but that is no reason to prevent a lot of users being able to access a site easily.

Old news I know, but webmasters need to be aware of the implications from the start :

[news.bbc.co.uk...]

A few simple things to consider that can help users and at least show that you are making steps in the right direction.

Colour : Make sure text does not prevent people with colour blindness
[vischeck.com...]

Text : Include a text only parser if you require a simple option
[vnunet.com...]

Images : Use alt text correctly

Tables : When using a text reader long tables can prove difficult tyo understand, therefore use a table header instead if going straight into <TR>.

There are loads of things you can do, I have just highlighted a few suggestions to move in the right direction.

Cheers

Richard

[Nick_W]

Good point ukgimp!

I'd just like to add that accessibility really needn't be very difficult. Use relative font sizes, mark up you pages so they are understandable without a stylesheet and you're halfway there.

Also use <fieldset>'s, <legend>'s and <label> tags in your forms, costs nothing and you can make really cool forms by styling those elecments...

Nick

[misosoph]

You should NOT "design" the site. Let your visitors do that for themselves. For example, use only the <h1, etc.> and <p> tags. Let your visitors choose the font size and font face that works best for them. Also let them chose the background color and text color. Turn off images in your browser -- and keep them off -- to view your site. Everything should be fully visible and usable without the need to see any images. All ALT tages should be fully visible without the need for mouse hovering. Keep your design simple. If you have something to say, say it; and let your words speak for you rather than your site's "design". My aged eyes will thank you. :)