HTML and CSS Reference
In-Depth Information
In addition to screen readers, many other programs and devices—known collectively
as
assistive technology
or
adaptive technology
—are available to enable people with dif-
ferent disabilities to use the Web. The challenge for the Web designer, then, is to create
Web pages that are accessible to everyone, including (and perhaps especially) to people
with disabilities. In addition to being a design challenge, for some designers, Web acces-
sibility is the law.
Working with Section 508 Guidelines
In 1973, Congress passed the Rehabilitation Act, which aimed to foster economic inde-
pendence for people with disabilities. Congress amended the act in 1998 to refl ect the
latest changes in information technology. Part of the amendment,
Section 508
, requires
that any electronic information developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal
government be accessible to people with disabilities. Because the Web is one of the
main sources of electronic information, Section 508 has had a profound impact on how
Web pages are designed and how Web code is written. Note that the standards apply to
federal Web sites, but not to private sector Web sites; however, if a site is provided under
contract to a federal agency, the Web site or portion covered by the contract has to com-
ply. Required or not, though, you should follow the Section 508 guidelines not only to
make your Web site more accessible, but also to make your HTML code more consistent
and reliable. The Section 508 guidelines are of interest not just to Web designers who
work for the federal government, but to all Web designers.
The Section 508 guidelines encompass a wide range of topics, covering several types of
disabilities. The part of Section 508 that impacts Web design is sub-section 1194.22, titled
§ 1194.22
Web-based intranet and internet information and applications.
Within this section are 15 paragraphs, numbered (a) through (p), which describe how
each facet of a Web site should be designed so as to maximize accessibility. Let's exam-
ine each of these paragraphs in detail.
Graphics and Images
The fi rst paragraph in sub-section 1194.22 deals with graphic images. The standard for
the use of graphic images is that
§1194.22 (a)
A text equivalent for every nontext element shall be provided (e.g., via
“alt”, “longdesc”, or in element content).
In other words, any graphic image that contains page content needs to include a text
alternative to make the page accessible to visually impaired people. One of the simplest
ways to do this is to use the
alt
attribute with every inline image that displays page con-
tent. For example, in Figure B-1, the
alt
attribute provides the text of a graphical logo
for users who can't see the graphic.
Figure B-1
Using the alt attribute
<img src="jkson.jpg" alt="Jackson Electronics" />
