Imagine that you were hearing your Web page read aloud (as with a
text-based browser - this is how an assistive technology device reads
it) instead of looking at it online. Does the information make sense?
Do you understand how to navigate through the site?
If not, start with these 5 techniques to modify your code.
1. Text Equivalent: Always provide a text equivalent to any information
you present with graphics, videos, applets, etc. Use the text to
describe the content and/or function, not merely to describe the
graphic. If you include a chart that illustrates how company sales rose
300% in only a year, use that descriptive text in your ALT tag ('Sales
Up 300% in FY2000!') instead of merely labeling it 'sales chart
graphic.'
2. Alternate Navigation: Always provide a text links somewhere on your
page if you rely mainly on image maps for site navigation.
3. Color: Don't use color as a primary means to impart information. If
you display sale items in red text, try to group them together under a
text section header that says: "Sale-Priced Items!" Choose colors and
color combinations carefully too: as many as 1 in 12 white males have
some sort of color blindness.
4. Links: Clearly label your links as links and describe the
destination. Be particularly careful with this if you're using an image
as an important link. A graphic of a shopping cart should clearly
indicate that it links to the shopping cart page: 'View the contents of
your shopping cart' and not merely 'Shopping Cart.'
5. JavaScript Alternative: Remember that some browsers don't support
JavaScript or that users may have it disabled. Provide JavaScript
alternatives to any critical functions on your Web page.
Accessibility
