Modern Web Design: The Four Essentials

Use Accessible Code

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Until you have experienced a web site rendered (verbalized) by a screen reader, you really cannot imagine how difficult it can be to comprehend web sites for those using such assistive devices. It is oftentimes the fundamentals that create challenges:

The <title> element should contain a description of the specific page, not just the company name.
The <h1> element on your page should do likewise.
Ensure the site can be navigated via keyboard. If a site has menus that requires 'onclick' or 'onhover', the standard links should be included as well.
Similarly, "select and go" menus are impossible to use via a screen reader. If you must use a combo box for navigation, use a separate "Go" submit button to activate the choice.
Use high contrast colors to accommodate other visual impairments.
Use ALT text for all your images and SUMMARY for your tables. A table summary is much like the alt text for your images. Use it to describe the table to someone who can't see it, rather than to present a tool tip to those who can. Tool Tip-style comments should be used in the TITLE for images (and other elements) and CAPTION for tables. While we're on the subject of tables, make sure you use elements, as screen readers can navigate these elements.

This sort of basic accessibility is not difficult to achieve. It can spare certain users a lot of misery. Being a good Web citizen includes making a positive contribution to the Web truly being "world wide" and ubiquitous, accessible to the broadest range of users possible.

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Modern Web Design: The Four Essentials

Use Accessible Code

Nashville Web Design Resources

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