A presentation for ILI Web Site Accessibility: Too Difficult To Implement? Brian Kelly UK Web Focus UKOLN Contents Implementation Challenges: Beyond The Theory Current State Of UK HEI Web Sites The Problems Encountered Beyond The Accessible Page Issues: Issues For General Discussion Contents Implementation Challenges: Beyond The Theory Current State Of UK HEI Web Sites The Problems Encountered Beyond The Accessible Page Issues: Issues For General Discussion

A presentation for ILI Implementation Challenges In the real world we are faced with several implementation challenges: Deficiencies in specs, tools, etc. Migration and support implications Addressing user needs & resourcing implications Implementation Challenges External Issues Publisher Issues User Issues

A presentation for ILI The Real World Web In the real world Web we need to recognise several external factors: Due to the rapid development of Web specs ("the Web year") the specs themselves may be flawed, ambiguous or over-ambitious Software has bugs (the cockup theory) Software vendors have their own agendas (conspiracy theory) Together with local factors: Inertia / unwillingness to act as guinea pigs Licensing costs Support issues … Implementation Challenges

A presentation for ILI UK HEIs - A Case Study In Sept 2002 a survey of accessibility of 160+ UK HEI entry points was carried out: Used Bobby tool (to report on problems which could be spotted using an automated tool) How many WAI AA entry points were found? The survey found: 4 entry points complied with WAI AA One was a JavaScripted site (so isn't accessible) The UK HEI Web management community is aware of importance of accessibility and wants to implement accessibility. What are the difficulties? See Implementation Challenges

A presentation for ILI UK HEIs - A Case Study (2) An example of a AA-approved site is the University of Bristol

A presentation for ILI UK HEIs - A Case Study (3) Typical problems found: Missing DOCTYPES Missing ALT attributes in IMG tags Use relative sizing and positioning (% values) rather than absolute (pixels) The first two problems could be fixed with little effort on a single page The third problem may conflict with usability criteria Let us now: Look at the challenges in accessible Web sites (and not just pages) Consider the usability issues Implementation Challenges

A presentation for ILI WAI Implementation Challenges Many University Web managers want to comply with WAI but have encountered implementation challenges: Limitations of authoring tools Browser bugs (e.g. Netscape 4) Apparent conflicts between usability and accessibility Resource implications of deploying new tools, training, etc. The scope of large institutional Web sites Finding the funding Implementation Challenges

A presentation for ILI WAI Implementation Challenges One Web manager commented that " I too have recently been struggling with just how rigorously the WAI guidelines should be implemented. … I certainly aspire to comply as fully as I can with the WAI guidelines but ": Some guidelines are too theoretical Will have a pragmatic approach:  Use tables for positioning  Will not associate form controls for search boxes  Not necessarily nest headers correctly Implementation Challenges

A presentation for ILI Supporting People - Not WAI Compliance We should be addressing users' needs, and not simply striving for WAI compliance Is the 'universal design' mantra always valid? "Click here": considered bad practice as not everyone uses a mouse But what about the user with learning difficulties? Is there a need to design for specific concerns? Blind Colour-blind Physically impaired Learning difficulties

A presentation for ILI Alternatives To W3C's Vision The W3C's vision is for universal access based on open standards. Sound great, but: Is this practical? (I'm using PowerPoint!) Should we rule out pragmatic solutions (our users will use Microsoft software, Flash & PDF formats) – if proprietary formats can be accessible is this a problem? Should WAI (indirectly) impose its views rather than leaving organisations to chose appropriate strategies?

A presentation for ILI Beyond The Web There is life beyond the Web Web applications may be inherently inaccessible or very costly to make accessible (e.g. 3D visualisation, mapping, fine art, etc.): "I have a Flash animation illustrating the effect of the HIV virus. How can I make this accessible? How can I fund this?" If a real world solution to a Web problem is provided, the user will be happy, even though the Web site is inaccessible

A presentation for ILI Accessibility Policies You may wish to have an institutional accessibility policy All resources on the University Web site will comply with WAI AA But: Is this practical All Web sites? What about MS Word / PowerPoint documents? How will compliance be audited? What about difficult areas (e.g. 3D maps)? What about people? What about usability? How will this be funded? Is this policy intended to be rigorously enforced, or does it define an aspiration? Implementation Challenges

A presentation for ILI Issues Some issues for discussion: What limit should we place on making resources accessible? Does W3C WAI drive our accessibility policies or inform it? If the latter, what is done outside of the WAI? Is adopting WAI guidelines within a legal framework wise?