Websites for all disabilities

Modern web applications have moved on. No longer is it acceptable to use tables in the design layout of your site or to use in-line styles. Add this to the need to have a Web2.0 look and feel and the difficulty of having a successful front end that adheres to Googles webmaster rules, provides us with the challenges we love.

Visually impared

• colour blind: provide a hi-visibility style sheet
• fuzzy images: the site looks almost the same without images as a browser option, and hi-visibility for additional help
• failing eye-sight: allow users to set the text size, using an on-screen button, as well as use em sizing to allow the browser front-size choice to work
• totally blind: provide totaly simentic xHTML without inline styles or tool-tips for the fastest page read time, and a blind only page navigator

Physically disabled

Physically impaired people need additional help to navigate the screen, such as proper usage of the heading element and a useful tab index.

Better, cleaner xHTML

By using the correct xHTML tag for the purpose, the developer is able to give additional information to the reader. For example by using the <abbr> the developer can correctly label an abbreviation saving the need for it’s whole name to be on a page, or use the <address> tag to contain address information. Depending on the level of certification wanted, these features can be progressively included.

Certification of accessibility

WCAG & WAI

WCAG(external link) & WAI(external link) offers global certification on all websites. Websites can achieve up to AAA rating. Certification is free, and should be carried out on a page by page basis.

Drempelvrij

Drempelvrij(external link) is a Netherlands based group that offers paid certification and membership. All of the rules that must be followed for Drempelvrij completely mirror WCAG, however payments must be made in order to display their logos on your site.

Section 508

Section 508(external link) is the American Government application of web accessibility guidelines. This is essential for sites destined for the USA.

Choosing the right accessible route

Disabilities come in all shapes and forms, from completely bind text only reader, through to fully physically disabled apart from the use of an eye or the mouth. This presents a challange as these two groups of people have different requirements from the browser to be able to navigate it best. Then there is the audience for your site, if your site is a radio show there is little point in making the music player that gives extra visual information for the deaf, but an audio CAPTCHA for blind people is vital for conformation processes. By taking into account your business, target audience and level of certification you want to achieve we are able to create the right accessible site for you.