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The principles of WCAG 2. Website Accessibility. Overview. What is Accessibility? Guidelines Conformance Planning. Accessibility. More than just for blind people More than for disabled people Accessibility is for everyone Old devices Mobile devices Search engines. The law. Confusion
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The principles of WCAG 2 Website Accessibility
Overview • What is Accessibility? • Guidelines • Conformance • Planning
Accessibility • More than just for blind people • More than for disabled people • Accessibility is for everyone • Old devices • Mobile devices • Search engines
The law • Confusion • Lack of clear legislation • Disability Discrimination Act – “provision of services”, which might include websites • Numerous guidelines
WCAG 2 • W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines • Released 2008 to replace 1999’s WCAG 1 • Some controversy • Greatly improved • http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG/
Structure • Three tiers: • Principles • Guidelines – goals to work towards • Success criteria – measurable/testable • (Techniques – ideas for how to achieve)
Principle 1:Perceivable • Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive • Text alternatives • Time based media (incl live) – transcript, captions, audio desc, sign lang • Adaptable – e.g. Simpler layout • Distinguishable – colour, contrast, audio, text, layout
Principle 2:Operable • User interface components and navigation must be easy to use whatever disability someone may have • Keyboard access – all functionality, no traps • Enough time – turn off/adjust/extend, pause/stop/hide • Seizures – max 3 flashes per second • Navigable – title, headings, links, labels, bypass, focus
Principle 3:Understandable • Information and operation of the user interface must be understandable • Readable – language, abbrev, jargon, age • Predictable – navigation, no surprises • Input assistance – errors, instructions, suggestions, help, prevention
Principle 4:Robust • Content must be robust enough that is can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies • Compatible – good, standard, semantic markup
Conformance • A, AA, AAA • Each success criterion has a level • Levels are being played down • Users’ needs are more important • Page-by-page (processes) • Unfeasible to have AAA site-wide?
Start with the basics • Work towards conformance • Start with the “quick wins”, e.g. • Alt & title attributes • Media alternatives • JavaScript (progressive enhancement) • Resizable text • Standards based • Single A
Improve where you can • Consult with your community • Test with real users • Identify and deal with major issues first • Build to AA and AAA on some pages
Complaints • Complaints need to be addressed quickly and thoroughly • Can you be sued? Yes. • Is there precedent? Sort of.
Planning • Establish approach with your client/agency • Remain pragmatic • Have a reason for any non-compliance • Think of accessibility from the start
Responsibility • Everybody’s responsibility • Principles • Guidelines • Success criteria • Check everything • Needs to be second nature
More information • oxfordcc.co.uk/accessibility • Slides • Links • Other resources