Ask the Expert
Expert: Cherie Takemoto
During the month of April, Cherie Takemoto answered your questions about helping readers with special needs.
Read her response to question 5 below.
Question 5:
Hello Cherie,
I have a question related to web-based outreach for people with special needs. I worked at the U. S. Postal Service, making their Intranet web content accessible to the visually impaired. Does RIF or PEATC have any special outreach programs that could be augmented by making such resources available to the visually impaired over the Internet? I'm asking because I'd like to work making web content compliant with section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I have experience in this area, and would find making such a contribution fulfilling.
Thanks for reading,
George
Response from Cherie Takemoto:
Dear George,
There are a number of resources for you as you work to make your information accessible to all readers. To remind other readers, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that electronic and information technology (including what you provide on the web) that is purchased, developed or used by the federal government, be accessible to users with disabilities. In general, some principles of designing something that is accessible to all users is called universal design.
Seven Principles of Universal Design
- Equitable Use: The design is useful and marketable to any group of users.
- Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
- Simple and Intuitive Use: Use of the design is easy to understand.
- Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user.
- Tolerance for Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintentional actions.
- Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably.
- Size and Space for Approach and Use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach and use.
The World Wide Web Consortium (www.w3.org) has web accessibility guidelines and authoring tools for you to use. There are specific examples of ways that you can make your site accessible for users with different disabilities, including blindness.
One quick and free way to determine if page is accessible is by visiting Watchfire's Bobby website (http://bobby.watchfire.com). You may be familiar with the logo at the bottom of some websites with an English policeman (bobby). If you submit a URL (web address) at the Bobby site, it will analyze the website and make suggestions for correcting anything that is not accessible.
What you do to make your website accessible to users who are blind, also have the potential to help other users including readers who are illiterate or with limited reading skills
Good luck!
Top |
