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Understanding Universal Web Accessibility

The power of the Web is in its universality. Learn about the importance of accessibility, ADA and Section 508 guidelines, WCAG principles, tools like Bobby for universal access, benefits of universal accessibility, repurposing content, technical efficiency, and the keys to creating inclusive digital experiences. Enhance your website's market share, usability, and search engine rankings by incorporating universal accessibility practices. Join the movement towards a more inclusive and user-friendly web for all.

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Understanding Universal Web Accessibility

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  1. Understanding Universal Web Accessibility Bebo White SLAC bebo@stanford.edu 27 Sept 2002

  2. What Does Accessibility Mean? "The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.“ -- Tim Berners-Lee W3C Director Inventor of the World Wide Web

  3. Who Are the Disabled? • An estimated 20% of Americans have some form of disability (Microsoft Web site) • Global statistics are probably similar • Not just the obvious • Blind, deaf, severe motor disabilities • But more commonly • Color deficiency, reading disorders, aging

  4. The ADA and Section 508 • In 1998, the U.S. Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities • Inaccessible technology interferes with an individual's ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily • Disabled employees must have access to information comparable to others

  5. The ADA and Section 508 (cont) • Section 508 was enacted • to eliminate barriers in information technology • to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities • to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals • Applies to, but is not limited to, computers, ancillary equipment, software, telecommunication products, information kiosks, Web sites, multimedia, and office equipment

  6. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) • Published by the W3C • Now at Version 1.0 • http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT

  7. General WCAG 1.0 Principles • Provide a text equivalent for every non-text element (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content). • Ensure that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup. • Clearly identify changes in the natural language of a document's text and any text equivalents (e.g., captions).

  8. General WCAG 1.0 Principles • Organize documents so they may be read without style sheets. • Ensure that equivalents for dynamic content are updated when the dynamic content changes. • Until user agents allow users to control flickering, avoid causing the screen to flicker. • Use the clearest and simplest language appropriate for a site's content.

  9. Accessibility Tools • Bobby - http://bobby.watchfire.com/bobby/html/en/index.jsp • http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/ existingtools.html

  10. Bobby and the HKU Site

  11. Universal Accessibility “Anyone or anything using any kind of Web client technology on any Web-enabled platform should be able to visit any site and get a full and complete understanding of the information contained therein as well as have the full and complete ability to interact with that site as necessary”

  12. Internet Web Server

  13. Benefits of Universal Accessibility • Increase market share and audience reach • Improve usability for non-disabled and disabled visitors • Support for low literacy levels • Improve search engine listings and resource discovery • Support for the Semantic Web • Repurpose content for multiple formats or devices • Increase support for internationalization • Assisting access for low-bandwidth users

  14. Benefits of Universal Accessibility (2) • Improve efficiency • Reduce site maintenance • Site search engine improvements • Repurposing content • Address server-load • Address server-bandwidth • Demonstrate social responsibility • Reduce legal liability

  15. Market Share Benefits of Accessible Web Site Design (from Andrew Arch and Chuck LeTourneau)

  16. Technical Efficiency Benefits of Accessible Web Site Design (from Andrew Arch and Chuck LeTourneau)

  17. The Key to Universal Accessibility is Repurposing • Content is what you say • Presentation is how you present it • Content is invariant • Presentation is variable • Repurposing is matching content to presentation • Tools for repurposing are available now

  18. Presentation Content (e.g., CSS, XSL, XHTML, XML) Complex System Interface 1 User 1 (e.g., RDF) Meta-layer of all communication between user and system Interface 2 User 2 Interface 3 User 3 Use Profiles Interface Generator

  19. “Accessible design is not only good design, it’s good sense!”

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