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