ipac 2.0+ accessibility configuring ipac for maximum sight and physical accessibility

iPAC 2.0+ Accessibility

Configuring iPAC for Maximum Sight and

Physical Accessibility

Susan M. Johns Smith

Axe Library

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas

Approaches and Tools

W3C Validator, http://validator.w3.orgRecommended for HTML 4.0,

XHTML 1.0, CSS Level 2, XML 1.0

Quality, structure, consistency and reliability of the code

Approaches and ToolsZoomtext, http://www.aisquared.com

Magnification and screen reading

Primarily for low-vision usersMagnification up to 16XUseful for font, line spacing, and

graphic integrity

Approaches and Tools

Bobby, http://bobby.watchfire.com Simple to understand languageThree levels of accessibility

definedInterpretive Nature lends itself

to criticisms

Approaches and Tools“If Bobby is the only test… it

is possible to produce a site with accessibility problems… it might be more accurate to say that Bobby can…identify inaccessibility than to verify accessibility…”--Quinn (2001)

Approaches and Tools

Vischeck Color Simulator, http://www.vischeck.comSimulates Deuteranope,

Protanope, and Tritanope color vision

Most useful to determine effective use of contrast

Approaches and Tools JAWS for Windows, http://

www.freedomscientific.com/Braille interfaceScreen reader with various

“modes” and shortcutsUseful for motor skill navigation of

links, pull down (combo) and input boxes

Approaches and Tools

Browser TestingAmaya,

http://www.w3.org/Amaya/Opera, http://www.opera.comLynx, http://lynx.browser.orgNetscape and Internet Explorer

Approaches and Tools

“Any browser should be able to access the content of the site… If something non-essential does not work in a certain browser, too bad for that browser.” --Koch (2000)

What Are We Looking For?

What Are We Looking For?

Coding IntegrityBrowser IndependenceMagnificationColor-ContrastScreen Reading CapabilitiesMotor Skill Navigation

Coding Integrity

Coding Integrity

Coding Integrity

Browser Independence

Lynx

Lynx

Lynx

Lynx

Netscape

Internet Explorer

Amaya

Opera

Magnification

Magnification

Magnification

Magnification

Magnification

Color Contrast

Color Contrast

Color Contrast - PSU

Color Contrast - Vischeck

Color Contrast

Color Contrast - Hennepin

Color Contrast - Vischeck

Screen Reading Capabilities And Motor Skill Navigation

Basic Search

Subject Browse

Title Summary

Full Bib

Advanced Search

Power Search

My Account (Hennepin County)

My Account Overview

My Account Profile

My Account Pin Update

Accessibility Summary

Summary – Validation and Tools

Insist on standards for coding html/xhtml

Insist on browser independence

Employ accessibility tools vigorously to all pages

Summary – Magnification

Avoid use of any italics or thin fonts that disintegrate

Watch quality of graphicsWatch yellow or pastel

fonted words Watch link colors

Summary – Color Impairment

Pay attention to contrastModify colors to match

logos or school colors?Watch quality of gifs, jpgs,

logos, buttons

Summary – Screen Readers

Test multiple readersThey are all not the sameThey can read differentlyThey have different

features, i.e., skip links

Summary –Screen Readers

They have different shortcuts and functionality

They have different commands to navigate within the reader proper

Summary – Screen Readers

Test readers your users use

Do not force disabled to learn a new reader in order to use the library catalog

Summary – Screen Readers

What’s healthy for the visually impaired is also useful for the palm pilots

A good, clean design will withstand numerous iterations for all products

Summary – Motor Skill Navigation

<Tab> through the page<BackTab> through the

page

Summary – Motor Skill Navigation

Check all pull-down boxes for ability to read and display using <arrows> to ensure all options are visible

Summary – Motor Skill Navigation

Check all <submit>, <go>, <send> buttons for ability to activate the desired action, form, or search

Summary – Motor Skill Navigation

How do you get from the top to the bottom?

How do you get from the bottom to the top?

Summary – Motor Skill Navigation

Can you skip over

re-occurring material?Can you fully access the

page without a mouse?

Summary - Additional Testing Procedures

Keep the design clean from release to release; test after each new update

Test vigorously in-house before live testing with disabled users

Summary – Additional Testing Procedures

Test vigorously with disabled users and be ready to make changes and adjustments, not mere lip service

Summary – Additional Testing Procedures

Try to separate accessibility from usability

Definition:

Summary – Additional Testing Procedures

Usability is analyzing how long it takes you to find a piece of information – how many clicks, where on the page, etc.

Summary – Additional Testing Procedures

Accessibility is knowing that information exists, but trying to get at it with your eyes closed and a stick in your mouth

Never, ever apologize for advocating for a more useful, more universal design, on behalf of others.