Lesson 2: How People with Disabilities Access the Web

Overview

One of the groups of users who benefits most from 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 it. 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. Images must be accompanied (in the code behind-the-scenes) with alternate text that describes the content of the images for anyone who is unable to see visual content.
• 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 video, that file should be closed captioned. Closed captions appear in a text track, usually at the bottom of the video player, so users who can't hear the audio (or who don't speak the language) can tell what's being said.
• 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 the following videos. These videos provide examples of how people with disabilities access computers and other technologies, and the problems they may encounter when trying to access web content.
   • Web Application Accessibility from University of Wisconsin-Madison
   • World Wide Access: Accessible Web Design from DO-IT, University of Washington
   • Introduction to the Screen Reader from University of Wisconsin-Madison
   • Answer the following questions about the videos using the designated Google Doc.
   1. What are the 4 key terms for determining accessibility?
   2. Do you feel that one term is more important than the rest? Why or why not?
   3. What does accessible mean?
   4. What is universal design?
2. Simulation: Visit Amazon.com. The following answers are meant to guide you in responding to the discussion question in GC. Answer the questions in a "discussion type" format. Check for accuracy and comprehension. Are your thoughts clear? Try to navigate the page without using your mouse. Did you have success? Explained what happened.

Amazon.com

• Try to navigate the page without using your mouse. Did you have success? Explained what happened?.
• Visually, how does the page appear? Crowded?
• Do the images have alternate text. (Use your mouse and hover over the images.)
• Visit Accessibility Checker Copy and paste Amazon’s URL into the input box and click "Check It". What was the result?

Your turn. Now you choose a site (must be school appropriate).

• Visually, how does the page appear? Crowded?
• Do the images have alternative text. (Use your mouse and hover over the images.)
• Visit Accessibility Checker again, but this time use your site. How did your site do? Was there there a reoccurring problem? Would the problems be easily fixed? Which types of audience would find it difficult to view your site?
3. Post to the forum. Now you're ready to post to the forum.  Go to GC and post you response to the Discussion Question for this lesson.

Resources/Online Documents

• More videos from DO-IT
• More videos on assistive technology and accessible web design
• WebAIM: articles and tutorials on all aspects of accessible web design

All done?

Great! Complete the Exit Ticket. Proceed to Module 4.