Sixty percent of government web sites fail web accessibility tests. And that’s the UK, which is much more aware and active on web accessibility and web standards that most countries, including the U.S.A. Tests were conducted by the University of Southampton.
Author: Dennis
Not really sure why so many web sites are missing ALT attributes on their images. In this podcast, Dennis explains a number of reasons why they must be used.
Download Web Axe Episode 18 (ALT attributes)
The aspects of the cognitive portion of web accessibility. Topics include use of language, consistency in layout, and clearly defined links.
More:
Categories
Colors & Accessibility
Did you know that 1 in 12 people have some sort of color deficiency? This episode discusses colors and web accessibility including color contrast, conveying meaning through color, and CSS colors.
Links:
- W3C Checkpoint 2.1 (information)
- W3C Checkpoint 2.2 (contrast)
- About Color Blindness – general info and stats
- Understanding Color and Accessibility
- Accessibility Color Wheel – tool for confirming adequate color contrast
- Vischeck – tool for confirming adequate color contrast
The toughest problem facing web accessibility is awareness. I’m surprised frankly, that there haven’t been more official complaints or court cases against an inaccessible web site, and they are the vast majority on the web. Fortunately, Target is currently being sued by the NFB!
I’ve recently started a new company, CheckEngine USA (now Web Overhauls), that focuses on web accessibility and web standards, but who cares? I’m having problems getting clients because no one is even aware of what this is and why it’s important. I hope the U.S. gets more serious about theses issues and follow the lead of the U.K. and Australia. Not only for my sake, but everyone else’s.
Furthermore, it seems that most web design companies themselves are quite ignorant of the subject and use web accessibility. So not only must I educate potentials customers, but also web designers (in order to have any chance of winning consultation services).
Are you facing the same issue?