Bobby accessible web sites, where do we start? There are many ways to design a site. Even more ways to design an accessible one. Below is an article of how we would recommend going about it. Nothing is set in stone, but you should get the general idea thereafter:
Step 1 - Get used to looking at the code
If you use Dreamweaver as i do, i recommend moving into split screen mode from the start. The more you are aware of what is happening in the code area, the easier adjustments will feel at the fine tuning stages.
If you use Frontpage or other editors then the principle above applies. Still to this day many web designers are happy using notepad. What ever you do - Dont ever use Word. Yes you can make a web site - but no the code is dreadful. Almost a crime. So much so that Dreamweaver has its own command to clean up Word HTML!
It may seem very difficult initially to loose the WYSIWYG way of doing things, but try and combine the two. Use the WYSIWYG interface and then adjust the code thereafter. Having skills with HTML code is not an easy stept, especially for people who are not very comfortable with HTML. It is, however, a very important step toward Web accessibility. Proper, standards-based HTML lends itself toward accessibility. Assistive technologies rely on proper HTML more so than most Web browsers. Valid HTML has many other benefits as well, including a decreased likelihood for cross-browser differences or incompatibilities and better support for emerging technologies.
Want to know how to validate HTML? Then go to page 2
Report Page - 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6
To determine how accessible your website is, please contact us. For further details on making your website accessible, visit the Disability Rights Commission or read our report on 8 benefits of Accessible web sites.
|
