Web Accessibility

Some might say that the World Wide Web is the best thing that ever happened to people who are blind or visually impaired. We read newspapers on the day they're published, order groceries and know the prices before we check out, and find out what titles are on a CD before we make our selection.

But not every web page is optimally designed for use by web surfers with visual impairments. When a page is built without regard to proper web design, the technology that keeps users in the Web falls apart.

Everyone Benefits From Accessible Web Sites

The same good techniques that make web pages accessible to those of us who use assistive technology benefit users of other devices as well. For example, people with...

• slow Internet connections
• devices that do not show color
• devices such as cell phones that have tiny screens

...all make use of design features such as alt-text and keyboard access. While a highly motivated and patient person browsing the web with a tiny handheld monitor might find it possible to navigate your site, unlabeled graphics and vast navigation bars filled with indecipherable graphics might well render your site unusable.

Learning About Accessible Web Design

If you are serious about making your web site accessible, the most valuable resource available is the web site of the Web Access Initiative (WAI), part of the World Wide Web Consortium. There you'll find guidelines for making web pages along with explanations and techniques. The content guidelines are found at http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT.

You will also find valuable help in this web accessibility area of the AFB web site. Learn about:

• the visually impaired user's technology, and how it affects your design
• important guidelines for improving your web site
• tips and tricks for web developers
• how to design accessible web forms
• how to make your blog accessible
• and other valuable resources on web accessibility

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