MM 440:
Web Presentation

Lecture//Accessible Design

Overview
The Question
Differences in Perception
Access Technologies

What to Consider
Background and Text
Images
Links
Frames
PDFs
Shockwave
Tables
User Interaction
Testing
Best practices

Further Info

Here are some things to consider:

• Choose a background that is a single, solid colour. If possible, avoid loud textures, patterns or images.

• The choice of background and foreground colours is not as important as the contrast between the background and the text. A simple way to check is to take a screen shot of your proposed page and use a graphic editor to convert this into a greyscale image - by removing colour from the image you will be better able to judge if the level of contrast between background and foreground colours is sufficient.

• Ensure that your chosen colour scheme can be over-ridden by the user's browser settings. Some people have eye conditions that mean they can read only black on white, while others can read only yellow on black - if your design is flexible, everyone will be able to read it.

• Avoid, if possible, the use of graphics in place of actual text. Text size and colour can be changed by the user's browser settings, but a graphic is fixed, and can't be changed in this way.

• Avoid large blocks of italic text - this can appear 'wobbly' on screen, and is difficult for many people to read.

• You don't have to use a large font size on your page. Standard (medium) size text is fine - visitors to your site can adjust the text size to suit their needs by altering their browser settings. However, ensure that you use relative font sizes in your code, not absolute font sizes. Some browsers can't over-ride absolute font sizes.

• Don't underline large blocks of text. Some people find underlined text difficult to read. In addition, since underlining usually indicates hyperlinked text, it can be confusing for users if it is used where no link exists.

• Capitalisation of whole sentences should be avoided, as many people find it difficult to read sentences written in capitals, and THEY COME ACROSS AS IF THEY ARE BEING SHOUTED VERY LOUDLY!

• Use headings appropriately. Don't use headings simply to increase text size, and don't simply use bold or a larger font size to simulate headings. Some browsers can present the user with an overview of a web page based on the headings and sub-headings - this doesn't work if headings have been used inappropriately, or not used when they should be.

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