Accessibility Features on ClickNathan
New here? Stay up to date with RSS. You can also register and don't be afraid to make with the comments!
I’ve done everything I know of and a few things on accident to make this site as accessible as possible. In particular, the following:
Quicklinks. There are three links embedded into this site’s XHTML that are designed to help users navigate this site more easily. These quicklinks are Straight to Content (which allows a user to link directly to that page’s main body text), Accessibility Features (which directs users to this page so that they may review the features easily), and Site Map (which takes users to a page detailing the structure of this site and all pages contained therein). The quicklinks listed on this site are intended primarily to aid users who utilize screen readers or mobile devices with small screens, so that less time is spent browsing and more time getting to the content that they want. For this reason, I’ve hidden the quicklinks using CSS for all users except those on mobile devices and using screen readers (where style sheets are turned off.)
Access Keys. Similar to shortcut keys, these are keyboard combinations that allow you access certain links on this site more quickly. They are as follows:
c Straight to Content
a Accessibility
s Site Map
h Home
p Portfolio
w About Web Design
t Contact
d Details
How to use them: Access keys in Windows are navigated by pressing ALT+Accesskey. Mac users, CTRL+Accesskey. Internet Explorer users will also have to press Enter to follow the link. Opera explorers need to first press Shift+ before access keys will work.
- Popup Windows. This site uses Javascript to launch new windows, including links that exit this site as well as some internal links, such as those that point to the Flash Cards and individual portfolio items.
- Exceptions to the rule. The word “site” on this page refers to everything on ClickNathan except for the Flash Cards. Flash Cards are free-flowing ideas caught in the eye of a butterfly and pissed out through the tit of a beachmaster seal. They often contain Flash and experimental aspects which go beyond my abilities to make accessible.
If anyone feels that there is more that can be done to make this site available to someone who can’t currently view it, please contact me and let me know of your ideas or suggestions.
What exactly does “accessibility” mean?
Web accessibility refers to the practice of making websites available to as many users as possible, particularly refering to those with disabilities. Not everyone accesses the Internet via a keyboard, mouse and screen, and certain precautions need to be taken into consideration for those users who do. Like wheelchair ramps at the library or automatically opening doors at the grocery store, Web accessibility aims to make it possible for everyone to join in.
As defined by the W3C, there are three levels to Web accessibility, known as A, Double-A, and Triple-A. Basically, the more As the more accessible a site is. This site is Double-A Accessible.
So where exactly is your proof?
It has been suggested that any site which deems itself accessible should undergo an Accessibility Audit involving three parts: using automated tools which can accurately process an entire site for certain issues, technical expert review which involves an actual human, well-versed in accessibility guidelines, to view the site, and user testing to ensure that real-world situations are taken into account. In that vein, I have employed the following precautions:
- Automated Tools. Watchfire’s online WebXACT software is a commonly used, respected system used to automatically scan web pages. I have included a link at the bottom right on every page of this site (excluding Flash Cards) that allows a user to have WebXACT automatically scan and check that page. Additionally, I’ve used the Firefox Web Developer Extension’s multiple tools to check the site as well.
- I hope to have Olivia Meiring, the chopstick mastermind behind Yummy Wakame, peruse this site like newlyweds dipped in caramel. That should be more than sufficient for Technical Expert Review.
- And finally, I could use you, the user, to help me with that last bit. So, if you’d like to serve up some User Testing, please, feel free and very welcomed to do so, and then let me know your thoughts.