Making Accessible Websites: Links to Information and Resources
Websites relevant to accessibility including information about design considerations, maintanence issues, testing, writing/content development, and applicable regulations and standards. Skip to list of testing and evaluation tools.
Laws, Regulations & Guidelines
Section 508
Section 508 requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities.Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0
From the W3C(World Wide Web Consortium) guidelines - the international standard on that topic - explaining how to make web content accessible to people with disabilities.Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
"Strategies, guidelines, resources to make the Web accessible to people with disabilities" The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) works with organizations around the world to develop strategies, guidelines, and resources to help make the Web accessible to people with disabilities and is responsible for developing the next generation fo WCAG (2.0).
As Yet Unsorted Resources
WebAIM
WebAIM, a non-profit organization within the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University is one of the leading providers of Web accessibility expertise internationally.Introduction to Web Accessibility
Provided by WebAIM (above) - an overview of types of disabilities, the accessibility potential of the internet and the challenges to meeting that potential as well as postitive steps that may be taken toward acheiving accessibility.Understanding Disabilities when Designing a Website
An article posted by Leona Tomlinson on the Digital Web Magazine site that offer "some simple techniques which, if incorporated into the design of a website, will enhance its accessibility and usability for people who have a vision, hearing, physical, cognitive, or learning disability."Checklist of Checkpoints for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0
An appendix to the W3C "Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0" which provides a list of all checkpoints from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0, organized by concept.Web accessibility & business
From Boagworld blog an article that addresses Why it's important for a business to make its website accessible and how to achieve it. Also,
Quick fix accessibility - addressing 5 simple problems can make a big difference.Seniors and the Internet
A study sponsored by Pew Internet & American Life Project.Making Your Website Senior Friendly (pdf)
From the National Institute on Aging and the National Library of Medicine.Dive Into Accessibility
"Answers two questions. The first question is "Why should I make my web site more accessible?" If you do not have a web site, this book is not for you. The second question is "How can I make my web site more accessible?"Trace Center - Web Accessibility
The Trace Research & Development Center, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison - Includes information and resources related to Trace's work with the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative.Usability.gov
An official U.S. Government Web site managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.10 Tools for Evaluating Web Design Accessibility
JimThatcher.com
Information on accessibility from a leading accessibility consultant.Just Ask: Integrating Accessibility Throughout Design
"helps designers and developers create websites, software, hardware, and consumer products that are accessible to people with disabilities, provide a better user experience for all, and realize the additional benefits of accessibility."Sitepoint.com Accessibility
Design and Layout:Accessibility section from media company/information provider serving Web Developers and Designers.Designing Web Content for People with Learning Disabilities
Understanding Disabilities when Designing a Website
An article by Leona Tomlinson, Senior Accessibility and Usability Consultant with Agoo IT, that succinctly outlines basic techniques to improve accessibility.Web Design References: Accessibility
From the University of Minnesota Duluth, an exhaustive list of links to web resources.Word Document 508 Checklist
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Web Communications & New Media Policies & Standards Requirements Checklist
Tools for Testing & Validating
Cynthia Says
The HiSoftware Cynthia Says portal is a web content accessibility validation solution designed to identify errors in content related to Section 508 standards and/or the WCAG guidelines.Functional Accessibility Evaluator [FAE]
From the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, online tool for testing the accessibility of a web page. Use without registration on single pages or register (free) to evaluate an entire website, generate a sitewide reports and archive reports.WAVE
WAVE is a free web accessibility evaluation tool provided by WebAIM. It is used to aid humans in the web accessibility evaluation process. Rather than providing a complex technical report, WAVE shows the original web page with embedded icons and indicators that reveal the accessibility information within your page.Vischeck
Simulates colorblind vision.A-Prompt accessibility checker
From the adaptive technology resource centre at University of Toronto.Firefox Accessibility Extension
The Mozilla/Firefox Accessibility Extension from Illinois Center for Information Technology Accessibility makes it easier for people with disabilities to view and navigate web content. Developers can use the extension to check their use of structural and styling markup that support functional web accessibility.HERA 2.0 Accessibility testing with Style
Checks elements that can be evaluated automatically and idnentifies elements requiring manual (human) evaluation relative to accessibility according to WCAG.TAW (Web Accessibility Test)
Online tool for the analysis of Web sites, based on the WCAG 1.0. Standalone version also available for free download.WebbIE
WebbIE is a web browser for blind and visually-impaired people. Using WebbIE, a web browser designed for and used by blind people, gives you a better idea about the experience of a blind person using your site.Thunder Screen Reader
Free screenreader talking software for blind and visually impaired people.
WCAG 2.0
Shortcuts . . .
1.2 Time-based Media: Provide alternatives for time-based media.
2.1 Keyboard Accessible: Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
2.2 Enough Time: Provide users enough time to read and use content.
2.3 Seizures: Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures.
2.4 Navigable: Provide ways to help users navigate, find content and determine where they are.
3.1 Readable: Make text content readable and understandable.
3.2 Predictable: Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.
3.3 Input Assistance: Help users avoid and correct mistakes.