ED435384 1999-11-00 Accessible Web

Design. ERIC Digest.

ERIC Development Team

www.eric.ed.gov

Table of Contents

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Accessible Web Design. ERIC Digest.......................................... 1

WEB DESIGNERS' TECHNNIQUES........................................ 2

THE LEGAL MANDATE FOR ACCESSIBLE WEB DESIGN............3

RESOURCES CITED.......................................................... 4

ERIC Identifier: ED435384

Publication Date: 1999-11-00

Author: Sprague, Carolyn Ann

Source: ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technology Syracuse NY.

Accessible Web Design. ERIC Digest.

THIS DIGEST WAS CREATED BY ERIC, THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

INFORMATION CENTER. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ERIC, CONTACT

ACCESS ERIC 1-800-LET-ERIC

Despite the widespread availability of Web-based information resources, it is difficult for

some people who rely on assistive technology to access and process these materials.

Web designers can play an active role in facilitating access by formatting resources so

that they are compatible with these technologies. This can be accomplished by following

the accessibility guidelines outlined by the World Wide Web Consortium Web

Accessibility Initiative.

Web resources that have been created following these guidelines are compliant with the

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Public Law 102-569, Section 508 of the

ED435384 1999-11-00 Accessible Web Design. ERIC Digest. Page 1 of 7
Rehabilitation Act (Waddell, C. D., 1998); the Assistive Technology Act of 1998

(S.2432); and Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act.

This Digest is written primarily for Web developers, information professionals, and

others who are interested in Web accessibility. It provides a brief overview of

accessibility challenges and some basic Hypertext Markup Language version 4.0

(HTML 4.0) coding solutions for these challenges, and provides an introduction to some

of the legal requirements and considerations for Web accessibility.

WEB DESIGNERS' TECHNNIQUES

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) actively formulates World Wide Web policy

and structure and oversees the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). The Web Accessibility

Initiative is responsible for making Web formats compatible with assistive technologies.

Adherence to these Web accessibility guidelines ensures that Web-based materials are

'universally' accessible (Reagan, 1997), without sacrificing visual appeal or higher-end

features and functionality (Waddell, 1998).

Web architects can ensure accessibility by using special HTML coding techniques and

offering alternative versions of pages and sites. Consideration should be given to users

who are accessing Web-based resources using visual, auditory, or mobility assistive

technologies.

The following items summarize the most common HTML coding and Web design

techniques for accessible Web design (Peters-Walters, 1998).

---Inclusion of ALT (alternative) and/or LONGDES (long description) HTML tags and text

in graphics and imagemaps provides access to people using visual assistive

technologies or a text-based browser such as Lynx. The ALT tag provides a brief textual

label for graphics and hot spots on imagemaps. The LONGDES tag provides a

more-detailed explanation of the contents and context of graphical information. Without

these alternative tags, screen readers and dynamic Braille generators/synthesizers

would output the nondescript label "image" or "graphic."

---Audio or video clips that include closed captioning and/or descriptive text facilitate

access for users who are viewing a Web resource via auditory assistive technology.

---Alternative navigation and keyboard commands provide access for users who are

using mobility assistive technologies or who have difficulty manipulating a mouse or

www.eric.ed.gov ERIC Custom Transformations Team

Page 2 of 7 ED435384 1999-11-00 Accessible Web Design. ERIC Digest.
keyboard.

---Designers should offer frames and no-frames, low-end graphics, and text-only

versions of their sites.

---Background, text, and graphics colors should be carefully chosen to allow for people

with color blindness.

---Page layout and design should be neither flashy nor cluttered and text should be

broken into smaller parts to increase readability (Peters-Walters, 1998). The basic rule

of accessible Web design is to keep it simple and offer alternative formats and views in

order to meet the needs and interests of the widest possible audience (Reagan, 1997).

By following the W3C's accessibility guidelines and incorporating special HTML coding,

Web designers can create Web resources that are 'universally' accessible (1997), and

have built-in accessibility that allows access, even when assistive technologies are not

available (Peters-Walters, 1998).

Once coding is complete, HTML and accessibility validation software such as Bobby

(Center for Applied Special Technology) can be used to detect errors in coding and

problems with accessibility. Pages can also be viewed using Lynx, Lynx Viewer, or

other text-based browsers.

The practice of accessible Web design is strongly recommended and is becoming

mandatory through recent legislation and legislative updates. By implementing the

procedures outlined above, Web designers can ensure that their Web-based materials

are 'universally' accessible (Reagan) and that they are compliant with the Americans

with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other relevant legislation (Waddell, 1998).

THE LEGAL MANDATE FOR ACCESSIBLE WEB

DESIGN

Web developers should be aware of the following three legislative acts: "The Americans

with Disabilities Act (ADA), Public Law 102-569, Section 508." The ADA's Rehabilitation

Act is the principal legislation that is driving this trend toward mandatory accessible Web

design. Americans with Disabilities Act legislation is especially important for designers

of education Web sites that are hosted or sponsored by a government, educational, or

not-for-profit agency.

ERIC Resource Center www.eric.ed.gov

ED435384 1999-11-00 Accessible Web Design. ERIC Digest. Page 3 of 7
"The Assistive Technology Act of 1998" includes provisions for the development,

funding, and availability of assistive technologies, and the dissemination of information

regarding these technologies. This act is important to Web developers because the

potential for an increase in end users who are accessing Web-based materials using

assistive technologies means an increased need for accessible Web design (and the

increased opportunity for Web architects to incorporate the principles of accessible Web

design).

"Telecommunications Act." The final guidelines concerning the accessibility, usability,

and compatibility of telecommunications equipment covered by Section 255 of the

Telecommunications Act were issued by the Federal Communications Commission

Access Board on February 3, 1998. Web developers need to be aware of this legislation

if they are designing Web-based resources for a government, educational, or

not-for-profit organization.

RESOURCES CITED

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Public Law 102-569, Section 508 of the

Rehabilitation Act: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/508/deptofed.html

Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (S.2432): http://www.itpolicy.gsa.gov/cita/AT1998.htm

Center for Accessible Technology's (CAST) Bobby accessibility validation software:

http://www.cast.org/bobby

HTML 4.0 - World Wide Web Consortium HyperText Markup Language Web Page:

http://www.w3.org/MarkUP/

Lynx Viewer: http://www.delorie.com/web/lynxview.html

Peters-Walters. S. (May/June, 1998). Accessible web site design. Teaching Exceptional

Children (TEC online), 30(5). (Available online at:

http://www.nscee.edu/unlv/Colleges/Education/ERC/tec.html) 1. Click on: Contents, 2.

Scroll down the Web page and click on: Accessible Web Site Design Stacy

Peters-Walters (Note: This article is available in HTML and PDF [portable document

formats].)

Reagan, M.J. (1997). An accent on access: Writing HTML for the widest possible

audience. Paper presented at "The Universe at Your Fingertips: Continuing Web

Education." Conference Sponsored by the Librarians Association of the University of

California, Santa Barbara, Friends of the UCSB Library, and the Black Gold Cooperative

Library System Reference Committee (Santa Barbara, CA, April 25, 1997). 11pp.

(Electronic version: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/universe/reagan.html) (ED 412 905)

Telecommunications Act, Section 255. Access by persons with disabilities.

www.eric.ed.gov ERIC Custom Transformations Team

Page 4 of 7 ED435384 1999-11-00 Accessible Web Design. ERIC Digest.
http://www.fcc.gov/dtf/fcc98055/appenda.html

Waddell, C. D. (1998). Applying the ADA to the Internet: A web accessibility standard.

(Conference paper written and presented on June 17, 1998 at the request of the

American Bar Association for their National Conference "In Pursuit: A Blueprint for

Disability Law and Policy".) (Available online at

http://www.rit.edu:80/~easi/law/Weblaw1.htm).

Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI): http://www.w3.org/WAI/

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C): http://www.w3.org/

WEB RESOURCES

Burstein, C. D. (June 8, 1998). Viewable with any browser: Campaign for a non-browser

specific WWW. [Available online at http://www.anybrowser.org/campaign/].Includes

discussion of accessible Web design that is interoperable, or platform- and

browser-independent. Includes links to many related resources.

Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST). http://www.cast.org

Center for Information Technology Accommodation (CITA) Supports the activities of the

World Wide Web Consortium and Council on Accessible Technology

http://www.itpolicy.gsa.gov/cita/

DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology). Helps people with

disabilities successfully pursue academics and careers and sponsors programs that

promote the use of technology that is designed to enhance the participation,

productivity, and independence of people with disabilities. The DO-IT site includes many

links to Web development and accessibility resources. http://www.washington.edu/doit/

EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information). Includes links to adaptive resources,

Web design, and legislation. http: www.rit.edu:80/~easi/

ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education. (ERIC/EC) Includes links to

resources on assistive technology and other disability-related information.

http://ericec.org

ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology (ERIC/IR). Includes links to

resources on information technology, educational technology, and library and

information science. http://ericir.syr.edu/ithome

WebABLE. Database of information for both people with disabilities and those who are

responsible for accessible Web design. http://www.Webable.com/

ERIC Resource Center www.eric.ed.gov

ED435384 1999-11-00 Accessible Web Design. ERIC Digest. Page 5 of 7
ERIC AND OTHER CITATIONS

Assistive devices for use with personal computers. Reference Circular No. 98-01.

Library of Congress, Washington, DC., National Library Service for the Blind and

Physically Handicapped (1998). 39pp. (ED 420 140)

Burgstahler, S.; Comden, D.; & Fraser, B. (December, 1997). Universal design for

universal access: Making the Internet more accessible for people with disabilities. ALKI,

13(3), p.8-9. (EJ 559 756).

Casey, C. A. (March, 1999). Accessibility in the virtual library: creating equal opportunity

Web sites. (for people with disabilities). Information Technology and Libraries, 18(1),

p.22-25.

ELECTRONIC DISCUSSION GROUPS

ABLETECH-L-Discussion forum for parents, teachers, and others concerned with

disabilities and assistive technology. Subscription address: listserv@listserv.okstate.edu

subscribe ABLETECH-L Your First Name Your Last Name

ADAPT-L-Discussion forum for the use of adaptive technology in libraries. Subscription

address: listserv@american.edu subscribe ADAPT-L Your First Name Your Last Name

-----

This Digest was prepared by Carolyn Ann Sprague, AskERIC Network Information

Specialist. For more information about ERIC, contact ACCESS ERIC 1-800-LET-ERIC.

-----

ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology, 4-194 Center for Science and

Technology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-4100; (315) 443-3640; FAX

(315) 443-5448; e-mail: eric@ericir.syr.edu; URL: http://ericir.syr.edu/ithome

-----

This publication is funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department

of Education under contract number ED-99-CO-0005. The content of this publication

does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Education

nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply

endorsement by the U.S. government. The U.S. Department of Education's web

address is: http://www.ed.gov/

Title: Accessible Web Design. ERIC Digest.

www.eric.ed.gov ERIC Custom Transformations Team

Page 6 of 7 ED435384 1999-11-00 Accessible Web Design. ERIC Digest.
Document Type: Information Analyses---ERIC Information Analysis Products (IAPs)

(071); Information Analyses---ERIC Digests (Selected) in Full Text (073);

Available From: ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology, Syracuse

University, 621 Skytop Rd., Suite 160, Syracuse, NY 13244-5290. Tel: 315-443-3640;

Tel: 800-464-9107 (Toll Free); Fax: 315-443-5448; e-mail: eric@ericir.syr.edu; Web site:

http://ericir.syr.edu/ithome.

Descriptors: Access to Information, Assistive Devices (for Disabled), Communication

Aids (for Disabled), Computer System Design, Design Requirements, Designers,

Information Sources, Information Technology, Internet, Legislation, Programming

Languages, World Wide Web

Identifiers: Americans with Disabilities Act 1990, Electronic Resources, ERIC Digests,

Telecommunications Act 1996, Web Site Design

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