The Internet and World Wide Web (Web) provide instant access to vast quantities of information. Unfortunately, many people with visual, hearing, mobility, or learning disabilities…
Abstract
The Internet and World Wide Web (Web) provide instant access to vast quantities of information. Unfortunately, many people with visual, hearing, mobility, or learning disabilities are unable to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the Web. This is because badly designed and/or inaccessible Web sites prevent them from fully experiencing the graphical and aural benefits of the medium. This paper introduces concepts of accessible Web design and describes how Web designers can build sites accessible to everyone with little added effort. It also provides a brief legal and economic rationale as to why it is important to do so. Principles of universal design and the guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Accessibility Initiative are described. An appendix of selected resources is also included.
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Michael Providenti and Robert Zai
The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on the implementation of web accessibility guidelines at Kentucky academic library web sites.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on the implementation of web accessibility guidelines at Kentucky academic library web sites.
Design/methodology/approach
The academic library home pages of Bachelor‐degree granting institutions of Kentucky were tested for accessibility compliance using an online automated program. In addition, a series of manual accessibility tests were performed. Data were collected on errors against accessibility guidelines for each site. Data collected in 2003 were compared to data collected in 2007.
Findings
The number of library home pages complying with basic accessibility guidelines is increasing. However, most sites that score well are built to comply with checkpoints that can be tested automatically. Few institutions included accessibility features which required manual verification.
Research limitations/implications
This study relies largely on data collected with an imperfect accessibility‐checking software program. Some accessibility checkpoints can appear to be satisfied using automated accessibility tests despite the presence of accessibility barrier beings. Also, minor errors against accessibility guidelines are not distinguished from major accessibility barriers.
Practical implications
This study provides an impetus for web developers to aim higher than the automated accessibility checkpoints. It demonstrates a limited number of manual accessibility checkpoints that can be objectively tested.
Originality/value
This paper looks beyond accessibility guidelines that can be tested automatically to see if accessibility guidelines for which manual tests must be performed are being implemented. This study is one of the very few published follow‐up studies of web accessibility.
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Keywords
Aarhus Kommunes Biblioteker (Teknisk Bibliotek), Ingerslevs Plads 7, Aarhus, Denmark. Representative: V. NEDERGAARD PEDERSEN (Librarian).