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Increasing web accessibility for those with disabilities

12:07 p.m., Aug. 10, 2005--So you have a web page designed, your pictures are all lined up and everything looks good? Have you checked to see if your page is accessible to those with disabilities?

According to Paul Hyde, IT-User Services information resource consultant, designing accessible web pages is crucial for those with disabilities. Without proper web page design:

• A person who is color-blind might miss important information presented in color on a web page;
• A person with impaired vision who uses software that reads the text on a web page could miss an integral diagram or an interesting photo; and
• A hearing-impaired person will miss the audio portion of a video clip.

A 1998 amendment (Section 508) to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that federal agencies make electronic information accessible to persons with disabilities. In its discussion of web-based information, Section 508 lays out clear rules for designing accessible web pages.

“People with different disabilities have difficulty navigating through the web,’’ Deborah A. Farris, ADA coordinator, said. “It’s not just our web pages; it’s the whole Internet. Cyberspace is extremely inaccessible to many people. A well-designed page can help everyone.’’

UD’s Information Technologies staffers work with web designers to help ensure that the thousands of official web pages the University hosts are accessible to everyone. When a department or program requests a web page, IT consultants refer them to resources for building accessible web pages. With many classes using My Courses for assignments, Hyde said it is important that the web be accessible to everyone.

Ann Amsler, an IT resource consultant who worked on establishing standards for UD web sites, said the department’s goal is to get designers to think of accessibility up front. “If people design things correctly in the beginning, accessibility won’t be an issue,’’ she said.

There are many ways designers might create a page that works for most, but not all. Following accessibility standards assures that everyone will be able to use a web site. Standards, along with extensive information on web design, can be found at [www.udel.edu/ideacenter/].

Amsler said Dreamweaver and other web-design programs often include prompts to help designers make their pages accessible. Designers can then check their pages for accessibility within their design programs or at [www.udel.edu/ideacenter/accessibility.html]. IT consultants also encourage web designers to use [www.webaim.org] as a resource on accessibility standards.

Leila Lyons, director of IT-User Services, said IT staffers also will evaluate pages for web designers, to ensure accessibility. IT-User Services is hosting a free workshop on “Designing Accessible and Usable Web Sites” from 9 a.m.-noon, Friday, Oct. 28. Register online at [http://present.smith.udel.edu/calendar].

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