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Accessibility to the Disabled

The Web is for all people. Few realize, for example, that you do not have to be able to see to take advantage of the information available on the Web. Those who are blind or visually impaired have access to software that will read Web pages out loud to them. In order to facilitate such visits, however, certain measures must be taken in developing a Web page.

The federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that most Web sites be accessible to the disabled, and failure to ensure such accessibility can result in litigation. There are various considerations to be taken into account for the blind or sight-impaired, the deaf or hearing impaired and those with other disabilities.

Among the main considerations in developing pages that are accessible to the disabled are the following:

• Although use of color may enhance navigational organization for most people, it should not be the only method used. Avoid use of such instructions as "click on the red box" or similar that will be meaningless to those who cannot see or the colorblind.
  
  
• Images should always have "alt" tags associated with them. Spacer images, images that are not associated with navigation, or decorative elements should use empty alt tags (""). Avoid use of alt tags that are meaningless to someone who cannot see (example"photo of students" or "Harvard-Westlake logo"). All navigational graphics should have equivalent alt tags attached to them (example: "home" or "click to give"). This will facilitate reading by software for the blind and visually-impaired.
  
  
• Where audio clips are used, there should be a way for the deaf or hearing-impaired to access the same information in a text format, provided it is not simply music.
  
  
• Animations or multi-media presentations that involve high-speed flashing or similar effects can induce epileptic seizures or prove troublesome to autistic individuals. Such effects should be avoided, or at least preceded by a warning.

In all text, be sensitive to how you refer to various groups of people. For example, a sizeable percentage of those who cannot hear prefer to be called "deaf" as a statement of a unique cultural identity which they do not view as a disability. Avoid the use of terms such as "crippled," "midget," "retarded," "AIDS victim" etc., which may be perceived as demeaning or condescending.

The following links will provide more in-depth information on making your pages accessbile to the disabled:

Bobby. A free online service that will test any Web page for accessibility to the disabled, primarily the blind and sight-impaired. Tips and guidelines provided.

Vischeck. Enables you to simulate how your page will appear to the colorblind. This is important to ensure that colors used for navigation and information do not blend together.

Links on Accessibility Issues. A comprehensive links resource provided by IBM.

UsableWeb. Links, articles and news on accessibility issues.