Web Accessibility VerseOne Technologies Ltd Michele Gaudelli

VerseOne UK Based technology company –Delivering Dynamic Accessible Solutions Spearhead CMS - Accessible Content Management Platform –Focus on Web Accessibility Consult Design Implement Empower –Client Focus Public Sector, Housing, Education, NHS, Charities

Some clients and projects:

Agenda Introduction Web Accessibility –What is an Accessible Website? –How disabled people use the web –Tools for accessibility –Common Problems Managing content in an accessible way! –Accessible content management

Goals for session? General Information Legal Requirements Good, Bad and the Ugly Site Stability Ammunition

Accessibility is a Journey Accessibility –Not a point solution Critical requirements –People Education –Product Accessible –Process Testing

Website fundamentals New (Digital) media - interactive, user controlled, universal Can be viewed using –Browsers,Mobile phones, PDAs etc. –Assistive software - Screen Readers - Braille bar –Digital TVs etc.. Can be printed Can be searched by robots Can be copied, linked to etc.

What makes a web page ? HTML Page Section Heading Paragraph of text or other content Import applications Import images etc. Style Sheet h1 {fontface:arial color:red} p {fontsize:small} Load a new document Hyper Links

What is an accessible website? The engineering (HTML) code should comply with the W3C standard. “The information must be accessible no matter who the user is or how the user views the web page.” “Navigation should be easy and intuitive no matter who the user is or how the user views the web page.” Not dull - in fact can look the same as now..

Comparison Page consisting of five images No alt tags, main image contains text Alt tags for logo, navigation buttons and cropped wheelbarrow image. Text delivered using HTML

How disabled people use the Web Standard web-browsers –Enlarge the fonts –Change default colours etc. –Use TAB key instead of mouse –Use other pointing device ( minhttp:// Magnification software (zoomtext) Screen Readers (Jaws, SuperNova, etc,) Braille pad Text only browser (Lynx)

Tools for Accessibility Screen magnification (zoom-text) Touch screen Hand-held screen reader Alternative pointing device Braille Reader & Keypad

Who benefits - Users For disabled people the Internet is a “life enhancing experience” –They can shop, pay bills, keep up-to-date, learn new skills etc. on-line –Blind people can hear the content –Visually impaired can enlarge the text –Deaf people can read audio transcripts –Physically handicapped can use tools to navigate –People with learning disabilities can take time to understand Up to 10 million people in the UK have a long-term disability. (source - Disability Rights Commission)

Who benefits - Owners Increase potential market by 20+% Reliability & Portability - works on many platforms Easier to maintain - clear structure makes correcting and updating simpler Better search engine results Improve credibility - gain customer respect & confidence Help create an inclusive society Comply with the law

The Law Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Code of Practice (2006) states: –4.3 (p25): “The Act makes it unlawful for service providers to discriminate against a disabled person in relation to the service in question.” –4.15 (p28) “All those involved in providing services – from the most senior director or manager to the most junior employee, whether full or part time, permanent or temporary – are affected by the duties in the Act. It does not matter whether the person involved in providing the services is self-employed or an employee, volunteer, contractor or agent.” –6.3 (p39) “The duty to make reasonable adjustments is a cornerstone of the Act and requires service providers to take positive steps to ensure that disabled people can access services.” –7.22 (p68): “For people with hearing disabilities, the range of auxiliary aids or services which it might be reasonable to provide to ensure that services are accessible might include... accessible websites.” –7.27 (p72): “For people with visual impairments, the range of auxiliary aids or services which it might be reasonable to provide to ensure that services are accessible might include... accessible websites.” Access code of practice.pdf

The Standards (WAIG) W3C Accessibility Initiative Guidelines (WAIG) have become the “de facto” standard. Three levels –Priority 1 (level A) “ Satisfying these checkpoints is a basic requirement or some groups will find it impossible to use Web documents”. –Priority 2 (level AA) “ Satisfying these checkpoints will remove significant difficulties to accessing Web documents”. –Priority 3 (level AAA) “Satisfying these checkpoints will improve ease of access to Web documents”. Source Version 2.0 has recently been published

Common problems Incorrect HTML code No text alternatives Lack of structured headings Mixing style with content Unclear navigation Content (language) not targeted at users –Editors trying to impress superiors etc.

Sources of Information W3C Accessibility Initiative – Equality & Human Rights Commission (previously Disability Rights Commission) – Royal National Institute for the Blind – PAS 78 - Good Practice Guide to Commissioning Accessible Websites –( ce/PAS78.pdf)(free download) Washington University Videos – Madison University Videos –

What should we do now ? Staff training (technical and awareness) Independent verification Regular checking User testing Feedback process Accessible CMS

VerseOne How to manage content to ensure that your site remains Accessible now and in the future Using Spearhead CMS

VerseOne UK Based technology company –Delivering Dynamic Accessible Solutions Spearhead CMS - Accessible Content Management –Focus on Web Accessibility Consult Design Implement Empower –Client Focus Public Sector, Housing, Education, NHS, Charities

Spearhead Solutions  Spearhead for Housing  Spearhead for Local government  Spearhead for NHS  Spearhead for Education  Spearhead for Commerce  Spearhead for Non-profit organisations

Accessible Content is Key!

Spearhead CMS

Some clients and projects:

Spearhead in action…..

IOM3 Offer VerseOne have agreed to offer all IOM3 associate organisations discount on all of their Web Accessibility products and services including: Spearhead CMS Web Accessibility Training –Introduction and awareness –Technical Workshop –Creating accessible PDF’s Web Accessibility Auditing Accessible Design Services Web Accessibility Consultancy

Summary Accessibility –Is a Journey not a tick in the box! Audit Training Re-design Testing Accessible tools Spearhead CMS – Accessible CMS Browsealoud – making a website talk! Questions / Comments Feedback Forms Panel Testing Audit Re-design Spearhead CMS Training