Section 508 and You

Section 508 and You : 

Section 508 and You Making your online materials accessible

What is Section 508? : 

What is Section 508? Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, they shall ensure that this technology allows: Federal employees with disabilities to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency, and Individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal agency, to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities.

What does that have to do with you? : 

What does that have to do with you? As an educator, you can be held responsible for your online materials As an educator, you want to do the right thing and make your materials universally accessible Often the best practices for creating online materials translate into the most accessible product

Here are some of the W3C's tips for accessible webpage design: : 

Here are some of the W3C's tips for accessible webpage design: Images & animations: Use the alt attribute to describe the function of each visual.

Using Color : 

Using Color Never use color only to convey information. To accommodate color-deficient users, designers should: Select color combinations that can be discriminated by users with color deficiencies; Use tools to see what Web pages will look like when seen by color deficient users; Ensure that the lightness contrast between foreground and background colors is high; Increase the lightness contrast between colors on either end of the spectrum (e.g., blues and reds); and Avoid combining light colors from either end of the spectrum with dark colors from the middle of the spectrum. This site has a color analyzer http://www.paciellogroup.com/resources/contrast-analyser.html

Image Maps : 

Image Maps Image maps. Use client-side maps and provide alternative text for hotspots. What is Image Map? The easiest explanation of an image map is that they are images or img graphics files created for the purpose of navigation from the image to a different url or to content or pages that are part of the website through the use of a hyperlink.

Here’s an example of an interactive image map : 

Here’s an example of an interactive image map

Multimedia : 

Multimedia Multimedia. Provide captioning and transcripts of audio , and descriptions of video .

Magpie : 

Magpie Provide audio descriptions for video or animated content - in MAGpie Providing audio descriptions enables media that contains visual or aural information important to understanding the media's content, to be accessible to anyone who is blind or visually impaired and unable to see the video's content. The task of creating an effective set of audio descriptions that are appropriately synchronized with a media clip can be challenging, and this task can be made significantly easier when using authoring software such as MAGpie. http://ncam.wgbh.org/webaccess/magpie/

Here’s a tutorial on Magpie : 

Here’s a tutorial on Magpie http://streaming.wisconsin.edu/accessibility/magpie_tutorial/index.html

Hypertext links : 

Hypertext links One of the more common links on the web is "Click here." In fact, a Google search for the exact phrase "click here" returned 1,480,000,000 hits! "Click here" is a holdover from way back when clicking hyperlinks was a new and unfamiliar mode of interaction, and the directive "click here" was used as a way of guiding user interaction. The main problem with the phrase "click here" is that it says nothing about the link destination.

Where are you sending viewers? : 

Where are you sending viewers? Imagine exiting the highway and encountering a sign with multiple arrows pointing in different directions, each with the phrase "Go this way." You would need to follow each of the different routes to learn their destinations, and hope to hit on the one that gets you where you need to go.

What makes a “good link”? : 

What makes a “good link”? Effective links are self-explanatory. Instead of "learn more," "click here," or "more information," they describe the content at the other end: "Learn more about online design," for example. When writing link text, think of how the links will display in a link list.

When Screen readers go bad : 

When Screen readers go bad

Use Headings! : 

Use Headings! Page organization. Use headings, lists, and consistent structure. Use CSS for layout and style where possible.

Graphs and charts : 

Graphs and charts Graphs & charts. Summarize or use the longdesc attribute. The key words are "long" (long enough to get the message across) and "description" (not "data"). As you write the long description, picture the following situation. You have a graph in front of you. On the phone, you are describing the graph to another person who cannot see it. Write as you would speak. Use short sentences (16-20 words maximum).

What is a “D” link, anyway? : 

What is a “D” link, anyway? When you add a long description of an object like a graph, close to the graph, you put a link to a long description on a separate HTML page. The link-text to that long description might be: "link to long description of this graph" "long description of this graph" "long description" "longdesc" "[D]". The above examples are listed in descending order of clarity. The D-link is a useful convention waiting for us to get the hang of it. I reckon, if only a handful of people understand the meaning of "[D]", then you can't call this genuine accessibility.

Here’s a chart with a longdesc : 

Here’s a chart with a longdesc

Hot Java : 

Hot Java Scripts, applets, & plug-ins. Provide alternative content in case active features are inaccessible or unsupported.

JavaScript : 

JavaScript Rather than talk about scripts generally, it is easier to stick to JavaScript scripts that are by far the most popular on the web. JavaScript is a programming language. It was developed by Netscape. As a "scripting language," it is interpreted by the browser "in place," that is, it isn't compiled into machine code as are high-level programming languages like C or C++.

You can check it out yourself : 

You can check it out yourself Turn Off JavaScript in Your Browser The easiest thing you can do to ensure compliance with the Section 508 standard that relates to JavaScript is to make sure your site complies with WCAG Checkpoint 6.3. So in order to check that your page is usable with scripting turned off, turn off JavaScript in your browser. To turn off JavaScript in Internet Explorer, Version 5 or higher: Tools / Internet Options / Security / Internet Select Custom Level Go to the scripting section and select the radio button to Disable Active Scripting To turn off JavaScript in Firefox: Tools / Options / Content Uncheck Enable JavaScript

Don’t make me think! : 

Don’t make me think! Avoid Cognitive Overload Many studies have shown that the brain has a finite amount of "working memory". This is important to keep in mind as you develop your course materials.

Create a clear visual hierarchy : 

Create a clear visual hierarchy Very Important A little less important Nowhere near as important

One of these things is not like the other : 

One of these things is not like the other Relate things visually that are related logically Group links or items together in a way that makes sense

Create visual relationships : 

Create visual relationships

Making your course content accessible : 

Making your course content accessible Break up your text Of course, the first step in preparing your text is careful, conventional editing (correct spelling, consistent voice, consistent terminology, etc.) Sloppy writing and editing is just plain irritating to read online - remember that when people find your Web page irritating, "click", off they go.

Good text is clean text : 

Good text is clean text The next step is to aggressively edit your text to make it simpler, clearer, and more likely to quickly meet your readers' needs. Think succinct. Finally, use headings, bulleted lists, numbered lists, graphics, horizontal rules, and other visual clues to help make the structure of your information more apparent to the reader. For example, a list of items buried in a lengthy paragraph can be hard to spot. Format that same list as a bulleted list and the reader can quickly spot it as a list and can more efficiently scan each item in the list.

Keep it Simple : 

Keep it Simple Of course, you will have some pages that should not be put into hypertext style. You may have research papers that are supposed to be presented in a specific, conventional format. Or perhaps you have an essay you want students to print out and read. The following example shows how a lengthy, wordy text can be reformatted to make it easier to interpret. .

Example of Hypertext Style : 

Example of Hypertext Style Hippocratic Oath SWEAR by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation- to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none others. I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my Art. I will not cut persons laboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever, in connection with my professional practice or not, in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this Oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times! But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot!

Hippocratic Oath Formatted To Show Structure : 

Hippocratic Oath Formatted To Show Structure I SWEAR by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, According to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation: To reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents To share my substance with him Relieve his necessities if required To look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers To teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation That by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none others. I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my Art. I will not cut persons laboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever, in connection with my professional practice or not, in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this Oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times! But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot!

Hippocratic Oath Edited For Brevity : 

Hippocratic Oath Edited For Brevity I SWEAR by all the gods and goddesses, that, According to my ability and judgment, I will ... Honor my teacher To share with my teacher and his family Help meet my teacher's needs Help my teacher's children learn the medical arts if they desire I will ... Teach these arts to my family, my teacher's family and to others bound by this oath but to no others. Follow a life that benefits my patients and avoids what might harm them. Give no deadly medicine, including for abortion. Live a pure and holy life practicing medicine. Leave treating kidney stones to others. Enter others' homes only to help the sick and will avoid mischief, corruption, or seduction. Respect the privacy of those I visit. While I keep this Oath, may I be respected. If I break it, may I fail

Open Source and Accessibility : 

Open Source and Accessibility http://www.oatsoft.org/

Moodle Accessibility Forums : 

Moodle Accessibility Forums

What is Universal Design? : 

What is Universal Design? When you create a web page using HTML, it is important to understand that not everyone will see your page exactly the way you do. There are a number of reasons for this: Different browsers interpret the code differently. The exact same page looks slightly different when viewed using Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or any other browser. This is especially true if you use non-standard HTML or proprietary code. Users may set browser preferences that affect the way the page is rendered. For example, a person accessing the internet at home with a slow modem may turn off images so that the page downloads faster. Someone with a visual impairment or learning disability may change the color and size of the text to make it easier to read. Some users, like the blind and visually impaired, may not be viewing your page using a monitor at all. Instead, they may use speech or Braille output, methods which convey only textual information. This mode of access will become more common as technology develops and people start accessing the web on hand-held devices and even over the phone. Even though you can not make everyone see your page the way you do, you can still make sure they have access to all of the information you provide. This is called universal design. Whether you are an HTML whiz or a total beginner, there are a number of ways to make sure your on-line materials are accessible. The goal of this section is to provide you with some resources that will help you create universally accessible web pages.

Tools That Support Accessibility : 

Tools That Support Accessibility HoTMetaL PRO: Try this commercial HTML editor from SoftQuad. HotMetaL PRO has a "Check Accessibility" tool that allows you to check and improve your page as you develop it. If the application finds accessibility errors, a dialog box pops up to tell you what the problem is, why it impedes access for some users, and how to correct it. Bobby: Use this on-line accessibility checker if you already have a web page. Just type in your URL, and Bobby will locate features of your page which do not conform to the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Bobby can not locate all accessibility problems within a page, but if you pass Bobby, you definitely have a good start on web accessibility. Plus you can post the Bobby Approved icon to show everyone that your page is an example of accessible design. W3C HTML Validator: Check your page to make sure it conforms to the HTML standards agreed on by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). While these standards are not specific to accessibility, your page can not be rendered properly across different browsers unless you are using standard HTML.

More Resources : 

More Resources Starting points These are some readable introductions to accessibility that cover; what accessibility is, why it is important, as well as practical advice. Web Accessibility Initiative's Introduction to Web Accessibility Mark Pilgrim's Dive into Accessibility Joe Clark's Building Accessible Websites book