Step 4 - You become the user.
You have already written a valid HTML web site and have covered the neccessary changes to meet all the requirements to say "yes my site is now accessible" But the proofs in the eating of it. How does it really stand up to the tests. In fact if you were the user using a screen reader how would you really cope? Could you navigate to all areas of your site?
It is a great idea to have a copy of a screen reader available for testing. I suggest IBM HomePage Reader because it is easy to use and learn, whereas other full-featured screen readers are more expensive and have a very steep learning curve. First listen to the entire page without stopping. Did everything make sense? Did the screen reader access all of the content? Was the alternative text for images appropriate and equivalent enough to convey the content and meaning of the image? Was the reading order of the content logical?
Now try navigating the page with the screen reader. Are link labels descriptive? Were forms accessible via the keyboard? Were form labels included? If the page includes data tables, were data cells associated with headers? Did the navigation structure make sense? Was there an option to navigate within lengthy pages of content? Was content structure, such as headings and lists, correctly implemented? Was any multimedia accessible (i.e., did video have captions, audio have transcripts, Flash have an alternative, etc.)?
Another area to check is keyboard accessibility. Just access the page and make sure that you can navigate through the entire Web page using the tab key. Ensure that every link and form item is accessible and that all forms can be filled out and submitted via the keyboard. If any content is displayed based upon mouse actions, make sure the content is also available using the keyboard.
Now you have a much clearer understanding of what is really required to make a web site truly accessible to all members of the public.
Want to know how to meet all accessible guidelines ? Then go to page 5
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 free accessible report on web sites.
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