...there's no reason why a decent level of accessibility and a strong and
immediate impact can't go hand in hand - indeed an accessible site will
reach a much broader audience and will tend to be more usable (and also
often appears higher in search engine rankings, for Google at least). All
it takes is to a) think about accessibility from at the start of the design
process and b) use a web designer who can actually code things properly as
well as just making them look pretty on Internet Explorer...
On the accessible Flash front, yes it is possible, you need to use Flash MX.
There's a good example at http://www.yourmoneybewise.org.uk/
Cheers for livening up the friday afternoon!
Paul
-----Original Message-----
From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Nick Poole
Sent: 21 May 2004 14:31
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: National Gallery Launches Two New Websites
Dear Marie et al,
(standard waiver applies!)
Just to respond to Samantha's message - I did not mean to imply that we
do nothing. I mean to say that we have done, and will continue to do a
great deal. The picture is nothing like as bleak as it is often painted.
We need to recognise that there are many different interests at play
around this issue. From those for whom strong and immediate impact is
the primary motivation in developing their web services to those for
whom technical accessibility and building websites is the basis of their
business model. It is important that we recognise these interests and
try to reconcile them rather than setting them up in opposition to each
other as we so often appear to do.
The issuing of fines to people who don't meet AA-standards seems
misguided at best. It is simply no way to motivate people to be excited
about their web services and strive for improvement.
And let's be quite clear. The DDA does not apply to the web
unilaterally. The guidance to part 3 of the DDA makes reference to a
web-based service in quite a specific context. I seriously believe that
this is more a matter of best practice than litigation.
Yours sincerely,
Nick
-----Original Message-----
From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Marie Fowler
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 2:13 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: National Gallery Launches Two New Websites
re the 'Museum and the Web' conference at Leicester. I seem to remember
at
that conference that one of the speakers pointed out that you cannot
make
one website accessible to everyone, but obviously you can do something.
(again - my opinion, not my employer's)
Marie Fowler
Documentation Officer
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Samantha Cichero <[log in to unmask]>@JISCMAIL.AC.UK> on 21/05/2004
13:51:54
Please respond to Museums Computer Group <[log in to unmask]>
Sent by: Museums Computer Group <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
cc:
Subject: Re: National Gallery Launches Two New Websites
>
Again as stated by others before this is just my personal opinion NOT
my employer's, so here's my two cents in:
It is a bit disappointing to read that 'there has never been, nor will
there ever be, a completely accessible website' or even worse that
there is much worse around. So, does it mean we shouldn't even try?
these sounds to me like like major excuses to actually do nothing. I
would like to think that there is many out there that are trying VERY
hard to include as many people as possible when they are designing both
content and layout of websites. I can sympatise with Peter actually and
I understand his frustration. Major museums should really lead the way
in that sense. Or are we reiterating the idea that museum access is for
a selected group of people like in the 19th century? It is 2004, it
isn't a matter of what we SHOULD do, it is a matter of what we MUST do.
The DDA applies to the web and, as I am sure everybody knows, starting
late this year applying it is not an option anymore. I was just reading
an article about how they are prepared to hand out fines to people that
have non-accessible sub AA standards websites, and not a moment to soon
I think. I honestly don't think it requires that much more effort to
keep in mind who we're are writing/designing for. Especially since
Macromedia and all major software companies have put tools out there to
make our life a lot easier when developing websites. All it takes is a
little effort and a little awareness. Certainly nothing will ever
happen if we all adopt the 'why bother?' attitude. Didn't you come to
the 'Museum and the Web' Conference this year in Leicester? It was very
interesting indeed and a lot was discussed on this topic. It was also
sponsored by this very group.
pardon the diatribe/off the soapbox
Samantha Cichero
The Multimedia Team Ltd
Kestrel 3D
9 Kittle Yards
Causewayside
Edinburgh
EH9 1PJ
Tel: + 44 (0) 131 466 8016
Fax: + 44 (0) 131 466 8018
************************************************************************
*************************
The information contained within this e-mail (and any attachment) sent
by Birmingham City Council is confidential and may be legally
privileged. It is intended only for the named recipient or entity to
whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient please
accept our apologies and notify the sender immediately, or telephone
+(44) 121 303 6666. Unauthorised access, use, disclosure, storage or
copying is not permitted and may be unlawful. Any e-mail including its
content may be monitored and used by Birmingham City Council for reasons
of security and for monitoring internal compliance with the office
policy on staff use. E-mail blocking software may also be used. Any
views or opinions presented are solely those of the originator and do
not necessarily represent those of Birmingham City Council. We cannot
guarantee that this message or any attachment is virus free or has not
been intercepted and amended.
************************************************************************
*************************
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________
--
This email was forwarded via the University of Cambridge alumni email system
Visit http://cantab.net/ to update your forwarding details
|