August 2008
Web Accessibility Toolbar
By Brian Hardy, National Manager Market Development, Vision Australia
What is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility means to create Web pages that can be accessed by everybody. This includes users who have the following impairments:
- Blindness
- Low vision
- Physical impairment
- Cognitive impairment
Why Make Accessible Web Pages?
Everybody should have access to the same information and (as far as possible) the same range of experiences and possibilities. Also, accessible pages are more accessible to everybody that leads to better user experience, more visitors, and potentially more business.
How to Make a Web Page Accessible?
First, you need to understand how disabled users access Web pages. Blind users have the screen reader software that reads aloud the text on the Web pages. Screen readers also announce the structure (mark-up) of Web pages. For example headings, lists, form controls etc. For images, the 'alt-text' is announced.
Users with low vision often need to zoom in to text and apply their own colors to the text on the page.
Physically impaired users typically use the keyboard instead of the mouse. They press the 'Tab' key to move through the page. (Screen reader users also use only the keyboard).
Users with cognitive impairment benefit from the consistent layout, clear language for all content, and use of images and movies to supplement text.
Secondly, you need to know how to design and code Web pages to make it usable for all users. You need to correctly code HTML and CSS for the Web page to be accessible.