All You Need for Accessibility - Resources List

[Webnauts]

All you need for learning, building, validating and publishing accessible web sites.

WATCH OUT FOR UPDATES & PLEASE REPORT BROKEN LINKS OR LINKS WITH MISLEADING INFORMATION!

DON'T MISS THESE:

* Webnauts Net Online Training Academy

* The Need for Accessibility

* Why is Accessibillity Important to You?

* Accessibility Testing

* Skip Navigation Links are Important (tutorial)

* Avoid forcing links to open in a new window (tutorial)

* Guidelines for Accessible and Usable Web Sites: Observing Users Who Work With Screen Readers

* Don't open new windows (tutorial)

* Semantic Markup (must check!)

* How to Save Web Accessibility from Itself


FREE ONLINE ACCESSIBILITY TUTORIALS:

* Curriculum for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 http://www.w3.org/WAI/wcag-curric/
* WebAim Accessibility Techniques & Concepts http://www.webaim.org/techniques/
* How-To: Accessible Web Design http://www.umuc.edu/distance/odell/c...wto/index.html
* Making Educational Software and Web Sites Accessible - http://ncam.wgbh.org/cdrom/guideline/
* Accessibility for Web Developers - Introduction http://www.developerfusion.com/show/4005/1/
* WebAim Introduction to Web Accessibility http://www.webaim.org/intro/intro
* SitePoint - Introduction To Accessible Web Design, by Nigel Peck http://www.sitepoint.com/article/952
* SitePoint - Do-It-Yourself Accessibility by Nicky Danino http://www.sitepoint.com/article/744
* Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center http://www.ittatc.org/training/webcourse/ (Free registration required)
* Bobby Report Explanation Files http://bobby.watchfire.com/bobby/htm...owsereport.jsp
* HiSoftware� Understanding Accessibility http://www.hisoftware.com/uaen/WebHelp/uaen.htm
* Web Accessibility Learning Modules http://www.csufresno.edu/webaccess/learningmodules/
* Dive Into Accessibility http://diveintoaccessibility.org/
* Juicy Studio Accessibility Tutorial: http://www.juicystudio.com/tutorial/...ity/index.html
* Designing Universally Accessible WWW Resources for People with Disabilities http://cita.rehab.uiuc.edu/courses/2002-02-REHAB711NC/
* Making Your Site Accessible http://uaweb.arizona.edu/styleguide/accessible.shtml
* W3C Example for Checkpoint http://www.w3.org/WAI/wcag-curric/sam1-0.htm
* Accessibility http://www.yourhtmlsource.com/accessibility/index.html
* WebDevTips Accessibility Tutorial http://www.webdevtips.com/webdevtips...ty/index.shtml
* The National Center on Low-Incidence Disabilities (NCLID) http://vision.unco.edu/AccessibleDesign/
* JimThatcher.com - U.S Section 508 http://www.jimthatcher.com/webcourse1.htm
* School Web Accessibility http://www.tsbvi.edu/technology/web/508/0a.htm
* Accessible Web Typography - an introduction for web designers http://www.scotconnect.com/webtypography/index.php


FREE ONLINE ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY TUTORIALS
* Adaptive Technology Tutorials http://snow.utoronto.ca/technology/tutorials/index.html
* Adaptive Technology Glossary http://www.utoronto.ca/atrc/referenc...techgloss.html


INDIVIDUAL ACCESSIBILITY TOPICS TUTORIALS

1. Readability and Accessibility


* W3C/WAI Guideline 14. Ensure that documents are clear and simple: http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10/wai-page...-comprehension
* Readability and its Implications for Web Content Accessibility: http://wats.ca/resources/determiningreadability/1

2. Accessible Anchors (links)

* Accessible Anchors http://www.webdevtips.com/webdevtips...ty/links.shtml

3. Building Accessible Forms

* General rules for web forms http://www.webdevtips.com/webdevtips...rm_rules.shtml
* Forms and Accessibility http://www.seotoolbox.com/htmlchat/forms.html
* Better Accessible Forms http://www.accessify.com/tutorials/b...ible-forms.asp
* Forms Accessibility http://www.yourhtmlsource.com/forms/...ssibility.html
* Designing Accessible Forms http://www.netmechanic.com/news/vol5...ility_no19.htm
* Forms Refresher http://www.cookiecrook.com/AIR/2003/train/forms.php

4. Designing Accessible Tables

* How to Create Accessible Tables http://www.webaim.org/howto/tables/
* Designing Accessible Tables http://www.graphic-design.com/Web/Tips/nm_0109.html
* Table Manners http://www.mcu.org.uk/articles/tables.html
* Building accessible tables http://www.evolt.org/article/Buildin...es/4090/42090/
* Accessible Tables http://www.jimthatcher.com/webcourse9.htm
* Favorite Tips http://www.graphic-design.com/Web/Tips/nm_0109.html

5. Using Alt Tags

* Providing text equivalents for images http://diveintoaccessibility.org/day...statement.html
* Improving accessibility with accesskey in HTML forms and links http://www.cs.tut.fi/~jkorpela/forms/accesskey.html
* On the length of alt texts http://www.cs.tut.fi/~jkorpela/html/alt.html#length
* Making web graphics accessible http://www.evolt.org/article/Alt_and...510/index.html
* Revealing Accesskey Information http://devedge.netscape.com/viewsour...eal-accesskey/

6. Using Accesskeys

* Improving accessibility with accesskey in HTML forms and links http://www.cs.tut.fi/~jkorpela/forms/accesskey.html
* Device Independence http://snow.utoronto.ca/access/resources/keys.html
* Use numbers for accesskeys http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/...rJun/0117.html
* Alt and beyond: Making web graphics accessible http://www.evolt.org/article/Alt_and...510/index.html
* Unlocking Hidden Navigation http://www.alistapart.com/stories/accesskeys/
* More reasons why we don't use accesskeys http://www.wats.ca/articles/accesskeyconflicts/37
* Using Accesskeys - Is it worth it? http://www.wats.ca/articles/accesskeys/19
* Link Relationships as an Alternative to Accesskeys http://www.wats.ca/articles/accesskeyalternatives/52
* The Future of Accesskeys http://www.wats.ca/articles/thefutureofaccesskeys/66

7. Using Tabindex

* W3C/WAI about Tabindex http://www.w3.org/WAI/UA/TS/html401/...-TABINDEX.html
* Contradictions in Accessibility - Keyboard Usage and Tabindex http://www.wats.ca/articles/keyboardusageandtabindex/62

8. Using Longdesc

* Demonstration of the LONGDESC attribute and the "d" link http://wats.ca/resources/longdesc/31
* Attribute for <IMG ...> LONGDESC = "URL" http://www.htmlcodetutorial.com/imag..._LONGDESC.html
* Making images more useful http://www.webdevtips.com/webdevtips...y/images.shtml

9. Using Colors

* Colors Tutorial http://www.ergogero.com/FAQ/cfaqhome.html
* Type and color http://www.joeclark.org/book/sashay/...Chapter09.html
* Hex/RGB Converting Tutorial and vice versa http://www.htmlcenter.com/tutorials/...m/111/General/

10. Use Relative or Absolute Font Sizes?

* Care With Font Size http://www.w3.org/2003/07/30-font-size
* Font sizes http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/...html?tw=design
* Using relative font sizes http://diveintoaccessibility.org/day...ont_sizes.html
* Accessible web text - sizing up the issues http://www.mcu.org.uk/articles/textsize.html
* Font size: the 'font-size' and 'font-size-adjust' properties http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-CSS2/fonts....ont-size-props
* What's wrong with the FONT element? http://www.mcsr.olemiss.edu/~mudws/font.html
* Size matters http://www.alistapart.com/stories/sizematters/
* Making Text Legible http://www.lighthouse.org/print_leg.htm

11. Animated Graphics and Seizures

* How to Create Accessible Graphics http://www.webaim.org/howto/graphics...siblegraphics5

12. Skip Navigation or to Content link

* Avoid forcing links to open in a new window http://www.webnauts.net/new-window.html
* Skipping over navigation links http://diveintoaccessibility.org/day...ion_links.html
* Skip to Main Content Link http://www.washington.edu/accessit/AU/tutorial/ins.html

13. Creating Accessible PDF Files

* How to Create Accessible Adobe PDF Files Booklet http://www.adobe.com/products/acroba...s_booklet.html

14. Creating Accessible PowerPoint Files

* PowerPoint - The Recommended Method http://www.webaim.org/howto/powerpoint/


FREE ONLINE BOOKS

* "Building accessible websites" by Joe Clark http://www.joeclark.org/book/sashay/serialization/


ONLINE CLASSES:

* Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI) http://easi.cc/workshop.htm
* Designing Universally Accessible WWW Resources for People with Disabilities http://cita.rehab.uiuc.edu/courses/2002-02-REHAB711NC/


ONLINE WEB ACCESSIBILITY EVALUATORS / VALIDATORS

* Webnauts Net http://www.webnauts.net/check.html - Page conforms W3C/WAI-AAA Guidelines!
* Web Accessibility Visualizer http://devserv.rehab.uiuc.edu/accwebsim/beta/ (Beta)
* UI-Test.com http://uitest.com/en/check/
* Hera (for manual testing) http://www.sidar.org/hera/
* Ocawa http://www.ocawa.com/faireaudit.htm?lang=en
* Bobby http://bobby.watchfire.com/bobby/html/en/index.jsp
* Web Aim Waive http://wave.webaim.org/index.jsp
* CythiaSays http://www.cynthiasays.com/
* ATRC Accessibility Checker http://checker.atrc.utoronto.ca/index.html
* ART Guide http://www.ubaccess.com/artguide.html
* UsableNet http://www.usablenet.com/
* Watchfire http://webxact.watchfire.com/
* W3C Web Content Accessibility Checking Service http://www.w3.org/2000/07/eval43/


WEB ACCESSIBILITY DESKTOP TOOLS AND UTILITIES

* A-Prompt Web Accessibility Verifier http://aprompt.snow.utoronto.ca/
* A-Prompt Web Accessibility Verifier (German) http://www.wob11.de/publikationen/aprompt/programm.html
* HiSoftware� Accessible Form Creator http://www.hisoftware.com/access/valueadd9.html
* Accessify Acrobot - Abbreviation and Acronym Generator http://www.accessify.com/tools-and-w...ot/default.asp
* Accessify accessible form builder http://www.accessify.com/tools-and-w...rm-builder.asp (using Table or CSS layout)
* Accessify table builder http://www.accessify.com/tools-and-w...lder_step1.asp
* Accessify Pop-up Window Generator http://www.accessify.com/tools-and-w...-generator.asp
* NCAM Media Access Generator (MAGpie) http://ncam.wgbh.org/webaccess/magpie/
* STEP 508 http://www.section508.gov/index.cfm?...content&id=155


COLORS TESTING TOOLS AND UTILITIES

* Considering the Color Blind Design Evaluation: http://newmanservices.com/colorblind/default.asp
* Colour Contrast Analyser: http://www.juicystudio.com/services/colourcontrast.asp
* Color Metric Converter: http://colorpro.com/info/tools/convert.htm
* Colour transformations - Decimal: http://more.btexact.com/people/rigde.../colours1.html
* Colours confused with neutrals (Hex): http://more.btexact.com/people/rigde...trals_hex.html
* Colours and contrast http://www.autisticcuckoo.net/tools/...s-contrast.php
* Color blind simulator http://www.vischeck.com/


BOOKS FOR WEB ACCESSIBILITY

* Maximum Accessibility - Making Your Web Site More Usable for Everyone, by J. Slatin & S. Rush http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0201774224/
* Building accessible websites, by Joe Clark http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/073571150X/
* WEB Accessibility for People with Disabilities, by M. G. Paciello http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1929629087/
* Computer and Web Resources for People with Disabilities, by Stephen Hawking http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0897933001/


SOME USEFUL RESOURCES FOR ACCESSIBILITY

1. How People with disabilities use the Web

* W3C - How People with Disabilities Use the Web: http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/PWD-Use-Web/20010104
* How do disabled people use computers? http://www.joeclark.org/book/sashay/...Chapter03.html
* Disability and the Web: http://www.techdis.ac.uk/seven/disab...d_the_web.html
* Browse tips by physical disability: http://diveintoaccessibility.org/by_disability.html
* How People with Disabilities Use The Web http://www.blackwidows.org.uk/resour...l#colour-blind

2. A Guide to Making Documents Accessible to People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired by Jennifer Sutton.

* The inclusion of products or services in the body of this guide and the accompanying appendices should not be viewed as an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind. Resources have been compiled for informational purposes only, and the American Council of the Blind makes no guarantees regarding the accessibility or quality of the cited references. More: http://www.acb.org/accessible-formats.html

3. Accessibility Statement

* Creating an accessibility statement http://diveintoaccessibility.org/day...statement.html
* Writing and posting the policy http://www.joeclark.org/book/sashay/...4.html#h2-1085

4. Words With Dignity - describing people with a disability

* Terms suggested to describe persons with a disability http://wats.ca/resources/wordswithdignity/35
* Treating Users with Disabilities as People http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20011111.html
* Guidelines for Reporting and Writing about People with Disabilities http://www.lsi.ku.edu/lsi/internal/guidelines.html

5. Convicing Clients to Pay for Accessibility

* Why Accessible Web Design is important for Business http://www.scotconnect.com/show.php?contentid=81
* Accessible Web sites are attractive http://www.accessify.com/articles/at...ible-sites.asp
* Auxiliary Benefits of Accessible Web Design http://www.w3.org/WAI/bcase/benefits.html
* Buy standards compliant Web sites http://www.w3.org/QA/2002/07/WebAgency-Requirements
* Websites: think the way your customers think http://www.gerrymcgovern.com/nt/2003..._09_08_ibm.htm
* Promoting and Advertising Your Accessibility http://nadc.ucla.edu/Promoting.htm

6. Accessibility in Distance Education

* A Resource for Faculty in Online Teaching http://www.umuc.edu/distance/odell/cade/ade/index.html

7. Guidelines

* Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10/
* Trace Center Collation of Access Board's 508 FINAL RULE and GUIDES http://trace.wisc.edu/docs/2002-508-...?style=default

8. Accessibility Laws

* Policies Relating to Web Accessibility http://www.w3.org/WAI/Policy/(Countries on this page: AU - CA - DE - DK - ES - EU - FI - FR - HK - IN - IT - JA - NZ - PT - UK - US)
* Guidelines for UK Government websites http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/e-go...troduction.asp


OTHER ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES LISTS:

* Usability.gov Accessibility Resources List: http://www.usability.gov/accessibility/index.html
* Web Design References - Accessibility (everything you need...) http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/support/Tr...ssibility.html


TIPS STRAIGHT INTO YOUR MAILBOX:

* Accessible Web Design - weekly tips http://www.mcu.org.uk/weeklytips/

[virtualsilk]

Thank you Webnauts,

Great links! The "Wave this page!" tool bar is very interesting.

In looking at my own site in www.cynthiasays.com, I received a "no" for using "bgcolor", in this case white. I know this is a depreciated tag, but good old Netscape4 still seems to want it. I also have background-color: #ffffff; specified in my css, but I use the bgcolor tag as a backup.

Am I being too cautious with the redundant bgcolor tag?

[Webnauts]

Thanks for your kind compliments!

By the way, I do not understand why do you use in your body the bgcolor, since the browser default color is white anyway...

[cyberRobot]

Originally Posted by Webnauts

By the way, I do not understand why do you use in your body the bgcolor, since the browser default color is white anyway...

My Netscape defaults to grey.

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by cyberRobot

My Netscape defaults to grey.

With which Netscape version are you viewing the page?

[cyberRobot]

Originally Posted by Webnauts

With which Netscape version are you viewing the page?

4.something (Not exactly sure, I don't use Netscape on that computer anymore.)

[christoefar]

Thankx that's just what I needed

[Webnauts]

I just wanted to share with you the great news. The Accessibility & Usability forum is back, and the list above is completely new.

Besides, I would appreciate your support promoting accessibility and usability issues here.

[PARoss]

Hi,

I'm surprised that you haven't listed CSE HTML Validator in your list of resources. It may be the only thing a web developer really needs. Reading all of the articles and books is fine, but CSE HTML Validator puts all the book learning into practice in the code that you are developing.

http://www.htmlvalidator.com/

Phil