Web Accessibility Laws (Section 508) and Usability Standards
“Accessibility is the extent of access to information on a webpage through user agents (e.g. browsers, screen readers,…) which translate HTML into hypertext structures (links, headers, tables, forms,…) in order to give the users a surplus value.” Link to more from Michael Gaigg
If you live in the United States, applicable laws include ADA, IDEA, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Sections 504 and Section 508). Many international laws also address accessibility.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines provide an international set of guidelines. They are developed by the Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C), the governing body of the web. These guidelines are the basis of most web accessibility law in the world. Version 2.0 of these guidelines, published in December 2008, are based on four principles:
* Perceivable: Available to the senses (vision and hearing primarily) either through the browser or through assistive technologies (e.g. screen readers, screen enlargers, etc.)
* Operable: Users can interact with all controls and interactive elements using either the mouse, keyboard, or an assistive device.
* Understandable: Content is clear and limits confusion and ambiguity.
* Robust: A wide range of technologies (including old and new user agents and assistive technologies) can access the content.
These first letters of these four principles spell the word POUR, this may help you remember them.
Introduction to Web Accessibility
Assistive Technologies and Adaptive Strategies
Scenarios of People with Disabilities Using the Web Web
Essential Components of Web Accessibility with good graphics showing connections
Building Accessible Websites’: A new book on Web accessibility by Joe Clark
Section 508
Tips and Tricks for Efficient, Accessible Web Design
LMS Accessibility Design Considerations
Common Accessibility Issues with Learning Management Systems
Community College Web Accessibility Resources
Moodle Accessibility
Websites built with accessibility in mind are flexible in meeting different user needs, preferences and situations. Though these methods can increase usability for everyone who uses the web they are often legally required to be implemented in a specific effort to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities.
What’s the difference between usability and accessibility?
“Usability is a term used to denote the ease with which people can employ a particular tool or other human-made object in order to achieve a particular goal. Usability can also refer to the methods of measuring usability and the study of the principles behind an object’s perceived efficiency or elegance.”
Moodle Accessibility Specification
E-Z Web Accessibility! – Content Management Systems
E-Z Web Accessibility_CMS Part 1
E-Z Web Accessibility_CMS Part 2
E-Z Web Accessibility_CMS Part 3
E-Z Web Accessibility_CMS Part 4
W3.org’s BAD: Before and After Demonstration is a multi-page resource that shows an inaccessible website and a retrofitted version of this same website. Each web page includes inline annotations that can be activated to highlight some of the key accessibility barriers or repairs.