Bradley Dilger
Associate Professor
Department of English & Journalism

An accessible web site provides information and/or services which function effectively for a wide variety of users, with minimal differences in delivered content. 

1 in 12 people are colorblind. 

1 in 20 students report a disability requiring accommodation. 

Many students have older computers or slow network access. 

Our population is aging. 

Curb cuts benefit bicyclists, children, and delivery truck drivers—not just wheelchair users! 

Likewise, web accessibility helps all web site visitors—not just assistive technology users. 

1.  The new Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act provides a mandate for government and higher education.

2.   NFB v Target could expand the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to web pages.

Devices which help people with physical handicaps use computers—replacing traditional displays, keyboards, mouses, etc. 

Often very expensive and require specialized driver software. 

Screen readers: JAWS, WindowEyes. 

Braille displays. 

Chording keyboards. 

Sip and puff pointing devices. 

Cognitive disabilities: dyslexia, ADHD, memory loss. 

Other impairments: epilepsy. 

Aging, fear of computers, lack of access to high-end hardware and software. 

The larger point: include, don’t exclude.

Short term work: six techniques for making your web sites more accessible. 

Long term work: integrate accessibility into your process for creating courses and developing web pages. 

1.  Add an accessibility statement.

2.  Make content-rich links.

3.  Provide document structure.

4.  Provide textual equivalents for multimedia.

5.  Use color wisely.

6.  Use automated verifiers.

Avoid short links. Keep links distinct. 

Links should work out of context. 

Avoid:         click here or here for the updated syllabus and schedule

Better:        Get the updated course syllabus or updated schedule

Organize web pages as outlines: headings, subheads, lists, etc. 

Include a unique title for every page. 

Standardize navigation and other design elements whenever possible. 

Add captioning to video. 

Include transcripts for audio. 

Do not convey information with sound alone.

Describe images using “alt” attributes or in-document text. Focus on function and meaning,not appearance.

Use contrasting foreground and background colors. 

Avoid bright colors for text.  

Do not convey information with color alone.

I welcome your feedback, and I’m happy to help.