UNIT 1 > MODULE 3

Lesson 2: How People with Disabilities Access the Web

Overview

One of the groups most dependent on standard-based web design is people with disabilities. Consider the following examples:

• If a web page includes visual content (graphic images), a person who is blind can't see them. These individuals might access the computer's output using synthesized text-to-speech technology known as a "screen reader", or they might use a small Braille output device. Graphics must be accompanied (in the code behind-the-scenes) with alternate text that describes the content of the graphics for anyone who is unable to see them.
• If a web page includes audio content, a person who is deaf or hard of hearing won't be able to hear it. This content must also be provided as text, such as in a transcript. If the site includes a multimedia file, that file should be closed captioned so that a visible text track, synchronized with the video, can be turned on by the user.
• If a web page has buttons, controls, menus, form fields, etc., that require a user to click on them with a mouse, users with physical disabilities who are unable to operate a mouse will be unable to access these controls. All controls should be operable with a keyboard as well.

Learner Outcomes

At the completion of this exercise:

• you will have developed a basic understanding of the variety of methods and technologies used by people with disabilities in accessing computers and the web.
• you will have experienced some of the common barriers people with disabilities face with inaccessible web content.

Activities

1. Videos: View and discuss the following videos, which provide examples of how people with disabilities access computers and other technologies, and discuss issues related to inaccessible web design.
   • DO-IT: Computer Access: In Our Own Words
   • AccessIT: Surfing the Web with a Screen Reader (streaming video links are at bottom of page)
2. Simulation Visit and evaluate several websites and discuss whether some users might have difficulty accessing these sites. Ask your instructor for the URLs of websites that make particularly good examples of either accessible or inaccessible design. Explore ways of determing whether sites are inaccessible. Here are some examples:
   • Turn off graphics in your browser to perceive each page as a blind user might encounter it.
   • If you have access to a screen reader application, turn off the monitor and try accessing websites audibly (some operating systems come equipped with free screen readers, such as Microsoft Narrator in Windows)
   • Try accessing a page without using your mouse (if you can't resist, disconnect your mouse!)
   • Try accessing a multimedia presentation with the sound turned down.
3. Discuss with your instructor what you learned about how the web is experienced by others with disabilities.

Resources/Online Documents

• AccessIT - includes a searchable Knowledge Base of accessible technology questions and answers
• AccessIT Accessible University Mock Site - example pages that demonstrate common web accessibility problems and solutions
• More videos from DO-IT
• WebAIM - articles and tutorials on all aspects of accessible web design

All done?

Great! Proceed to the next lesson.

Copyright © 2006 by University of Washington. Permission is granted to copy these materials for educational, noncommercial purposes provided the source is acknowledged. This product was funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education (grant #H133D010306). However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume their endorsement.