Who decides how accessible a web site actually is, and with what?
I'm concerned with visual impairment issues, and over the past few weeks
have seen some interesting threads on other lists, initiated by worried
web designers, who have been told their sites are inaccessible, and are
looking for advice from the blind community.
In one case, the designer explained that although believed he had
applied correct HTML to Table Column Headings, his "Expert" screen
reader users still could not get the table information spoken correctly.
Thankfully a URL was given.
Not surprisingly, (to me at any rate) many on the list came back saying
they had no trouble at all with his tables, and he had done an excellent
job.
Of course, those were the people who had taken the trouble to RFTM, and
of course knew the simple keystrokes to have heading material read out
properly.
So just who were his "experts"?
On yet another list was a message about the fairly well known "BOBBY"
web site approval. The poster had invested in Bobby, which condemned
his site totally and completely.
So same person used Bobby on the RNIB's web site.
The word "hypocrite", and the expression "two faced" understandably
followed.
And in today's mail was a message from a site designer who had made his
entire site speak through the sound card, so you didn't need any
software to have it spoken.
He could not understand why screen reader users could not understand the
simple words at the beginning, which said, "If you are using a screen
reader, this site is best viewed if you temporarily suspend your screen
reader".
Of course those were probably the same experts mentioned here earlier!
George Bell
Techno-Vision Systems Ltd
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pauline McInnes [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 24 February 2003 13:31
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Web Accessibility Statements
>
>
> Dear All,
> Has anyone produced a web accessibility statement for their
> University's website, detailing how accessible the site is,
> plans for increasing access and a contact person? If so, I'd
> love to have your URL, as we are thinking about placing that
> on our website.
>
> Regards
> Pauline.
>
>
> Pauline McInnes
> Development Officer (Disabilities)
> Cardiff University
> 47 Park Place
> Cardiff
> CF10 3AT
>
> Tel: 02920 870004
>
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