Day+7+-+Web+Accessibility

What are the factors to consider when planning for web accessibility?[|Web Anywhere] [] - an Open Source screen reader [|Web accessibility video] [|Simulation]

Brian- There are some factors to consider in reference to web accessibility, when creating or choosing a web page to use for a class with identified students. These factors include physical or cognitive disabilities, visual or hearing impairment, or seizure disorders. These factors have to be taken into consideration and web pages should be closely evaluated before they are chosen for class use. These factors should be considered by site creators and managers as well. A universal design should be followed for all websites, simply reading a website does not make it accessible to a vision impaired individual. All aspects of an interactive site should be considered. They should not want to exclude anyone from their audience of possible users; therefore, making their website more accessible will increase the possible audience for their website. By following universal design principles all website developers can provide accessibility to a wide variety of individuals with disabilities and overall increase users of their web pages.

Jamie- Web accessibility means that anyone can have full access to information on any website as well as be able to interact with that information. In order to ensure web accessibility, web designers need to make sure they understand the various systems people use to access internet sites. For example, they need to have an understanding of what voice recognition systems are, what alt. pointing devices are, and be informed on screen readers or magnifiers. Web designers need to think of alt. ways to display their information if they choose to make their site accessible by either eyes or ears and not both. Also make sure that there are features present that allow those to navigate by keyboard. Also, attempt to make your documents accessible by more than one browser. As a web designer your job goes beyond designing a website but also making it accessible by all. Therefore, it is their job to consider those with cognitive deficits, motor disabilities, auditory disabilities, and visual disabilities when designing your web page. From an economic position this is a smart thing to do because more people will have access to the site. Furthermore, it is the law and each individual has a civil right to be able to access and interact with your web design. Jessica - When planning an activity with a class or planning a web page to be used by the general public, teachers and web designers need to be certain that everyone is able to participate to the maximum extent they can. What to keep in mind is the layout of the website, as well as how users will interact with the page. For example, keyboard shortcuts can be used if students can’t operate a mouse. Also, as we saw today, students with vision problems should be able to utilize websites without being “blocked” by inability to successfully navigate between or within pages. It is obvious there will be a learning curve involved in navigating the Internet in alternative ways, just as there is a learning curve when attempting anything for the first time, but the curve shouldn’t result in a dead end. Sites that recognize user-diversity and take motor, visual, cognitive, auditory, motor, etc... deficiencies into account will not only benefit the user, but will benefit the organization behind the site. When web designers and teachers make/use websites that allow for diverse user-accessibility, individuals are granted access to information on the Web and are included to fully participate in educational opportunities.

Katie: When creating a web page, you have to think about UDL. There are a lot of factors you need to consider in order to meet the needs of as many people as possible. When designing a web page, visually you need to make sure there are not too many flashes and distractions for people with cognitive delays. It is also important to have consistent headings and navigation. For people who are blind it is good to make sure a screen reader would be able to read images as well. Also you should update a web site if there are technology updates.

Melissa- There seems to be endless factors to consider when planning for web accessibility. This does not mean that we should stop trying for universal access to the internet. Increasingly everyday, the internet becomes a larger part of our lives, and everyone should be able to access this powerful source of information. When considering factors that are more of the technical responsibility of the web designers, many need to be addressed. Some include using HTML the way that it was intended and not for aesthetic purposes, providing alternatives to auditory and visual content, and make sure that the mouse is not needed (from the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre webpage) When considering who might be using the web pages, designers should try out the page imagining they have at least one of many disabilities or physical limitations. They could try out their page with their eyes closed, next with the volume off, and then without a mouse. If they are unable to stretch their minds in this way, they could “WAVE” their page (Temple University), and this will tell them what they need to fix. Many different people use the internet, and we must embrace this.

Rob Based on the simulation today, I would make my web page have as few rows and columns as possible. There would be sublists for various tabs. I didn't like that I had to sit and wait as the voice told me option after option. Half the time I was trying to visualize those 3 columns and 7 rows, but I was unable. But that is something that would benefit the blind. For the other disabilities such as those with hearing or motor skill difficulty. For students who are unable to control the mouse or cursor with success, it would be beneficial to them to design a site so that there are larger buttons and menu lists. Having very small fonts would make it extremely difficult to navigate. I will keep accessibility in mind because I don't want people or my disabled students to struggle obtaining info that I am trying to deliver.

Bill: Web accessibility is a topic that I didn't think would come up in this course. In hindsight however, I can see how important the layout of a website can be to someone with a disability who is perhaps using specialized hardware or software to access the web. It really makes me think about why we use the Internet. We generally use it for information, entertainment, and business. I think that consideration of a webpage's audience is very important. I can see using high tech java applications or streaming video for websites that seek to entertain, but it seems almost unnecessary for a site that seeks to inform, or to provide information. I certainly agree with the idea of providing a text-only substitute to a visually glitzy or flashy website, but I also see the challenge this presents considering how quickly information on the web is changed, rearranged, etc. Some sites may not consider it worthwhile to design an alternate interface for the minority of people with disabilities. Despite this, I too would like to see more of an emphasis on text and pertinent information and less on uneccessary graphics and complicated page layouts.

Kristin: Web accessibility is very important to persons with a disability of any kind. If you're blind you will need special accommodations. If you have physical disabilities you will need assistance in accessing web information. However there are many factors to consider when dealing with web accessibility. You must always think of ALL people being able to access your web page and can accomplish this by bringing in many different types of people when designing your site. To do this you don't have to make it simple but rather easy to navigate so someone using a text reader and a keyboard will not have confusion when trying to access a link. I would also have limited numbers of pictures on the page unless the proper descriptions can be attached. Nothing was more frustrating during the simulation when I could not picture in my head what I was trying to leaf through.