Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance on the Web
What is the ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act. This act, from
1996, put into law the most comprehensive federal civil-rights statute protecting the rights of people with disabilities. It affects access to employment; state and local government programs and services; access to places of public accommodation such as businesses, transportation, and non-profit service providers; and telecommunications.
A great article excerpt on ADA
compliance and what it all means.
How does the ADA impact my website?
The ADA requires accessibility to the widest range of
persons possible on all forms of telecommunication,
including the internet. As such, websites must be
designed to be compliant with the act and associated
standards so that those with disabilities may utilize the
site. This will require the possibility of additional
effort or work that may not have been considered in
designing, implementing, or structuring your website.
Basic Site Considerations to be ADA Compliant:
- Images & animations. Use the alt attribute to describe the function of each visual.
- Image maps. Use client-side MAP and text for hotspots.
- Multimedia. Provide captioning and transcripts of audio, and descriptions of video.
- Hypertext links. Use text that makes sense when read out of context. For example, avoid
"click here."
- Page organization. Use headings, lists, and consistent structure.
- Use CSS for layout and style where possible.
- Graphs & charts. Summarize or use the longdesc attribute.
- Scripts, applets, & plug-ins. Provide alternative content in case active features are inaccessible or unsupported.
- Frames. Use NOFRAMES and meaningful titles.
- Tables. Make line by line reading sensible. Summarize.
- Check your work. Validate. Use tools, checklist, and guidelines at www.w3.org/TR/WCAG.
What can I do to be ADA compliant?
Use the check list above and implement as much as
possible on your site. The more compliant you are, the
better.
Links to more on website ADA compliance:
Read the Unit 5 Online ADA
Compliance Self Assessment Statement
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