Making the Web Accessible: Forms and Mulitmedia

Making the Web Accessible: Forms and Multimedia Local Government Web Network Conference 2008

Why is Web Accessibility Important for Local Government?

Disability in Australia
4 million people have a disability (ABS Survey)
Ageing population and workforce
Disabilities having most affect on daily living
Vision loss
Physical disability
Hearing loss

The Concept of Print Disability
Person with a print disability cannot access “print” content in its standard format.
Low Vision
No vision
Learning disability
Physical impairment

Legal and General Insurance - UK success story
Rebuilt site to meet accessibility guidelines and ensure standards compliance
Business benefits
Return on Investment within 12 months
90% increase in traffic
Conversion rates to sales have increased by 26% - 200%
Site maintenance £200,000 saving per year
Source: Dave Wilton (L&G), Julie Howell (Fortune Cookie), Jan 2007

Legal and Policy Contexts
Disability Discrimination Act 1992
HREOC Web Accessibility Advisory Notes (2002)
Intranets & Extranets also covered
Government Policies
Australian Govt. Web Publishing Guidelines
Each State & Territory has similar guidelines

When is Content Accessible?

Accessibility is Experiential
Person with a disability should be able to use data, information and services as effectively as someone without a disability
Compliance with technical rules is necessary, but not sufficient
W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

Accessible Content
Must be:
Perceivable
Operable
Understandable
Robust

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – W3C
Version 1 - Current reference standard www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10/
Version 2 - In final draft stage (likely in 2009) www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/

Making Content & Functionality Accessible Accessible Forms Accessible Multimedia

Forms are used to :
Submit applications
Contact organisations
Request information
Access account information
Search a website
Pay an account
Forms

Typical Forms

Example

Accessibility Outcome
A web-delivered PDF Form is:
A lot better than going to council offices and completing the form there
Can use some assistive technology at home
Do not have to use the phone
No need to confront mobility challenges
A little better than requesting the form by phone and receiving it in the post
Can use some assistive technology at home

Accessibility Problems
Cannot complete it online
Screen reader may not be able understand form
Solutions
HTML form is the best option (for users and for organisation)
Possible to make a PDF form completable and accessible, but technically difficult

Example Form

Example Continued

Accessibility Outcome
Better than a PDF for many people
Can use some assistive technology
Can complete the form online
No need to confront mobility challenges

Accessibility Problems
Hard to complete it online
Screen reader may not be able understand form instructions
Confusing – particularly for screen magnifier users
No option to print form
Hard to use with some assistive technology

Zoom 4X Magnification

Normal Size

Another Example

Laid out using tables

Clearly identify required fields
Forms

Position labels correctly
Position labels before input boxes, text areas and dropdown boxes.
Position labels immediately after checkboxes and radio buttons.
Ensure that labels are close to their corresponding input controls.
Forms

Ensure that all label text is clear and unique
Forms

Associate labels with the corresponding input controls
Forms <label for=“name”> Name: </label> <input id=“name” />

Group form items into sections using <fieldset> and <legend>
Forms
<fieldset>
<legend> Personal Details </legend>
...FORM CONTENT GOES HERE…
</fieldset>

Recap:
Test with mouse and keyboard
Clearly identify required fields
Position labels correctly
Use clear and unique labels
Associate labels with the input
Set the font size in relative units
Group similar areas together
Forms summary

Accessible Multimedia
Captions
Auslan
Audio description
Embedded between words
Extended, via video pause
Full text equivalent
Transcript
Other sounds
Audio description

Web Accessibility Workshops
To find out more –
Introductory & techniques workshops in 2008:
Sydney: 12 & 13 November
Brisbane: 3 & 4 September
Canberra: 5 & 6 November
Melbourne: 15 & 16 October
www.visionaustralia.org.au/training

Vision Australia Contacts
Brian Hardy, Gaynor Eccleston
Vision Australia: Accessible Information Solutions
45 4 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong Vic 3144
4 Mitchell Street, Enfield NSW 2136
Kent Street, Woolloongabba Qld 4102
Web Accessibility Team: 1300 367 055
[email_address]
[email_address]
www.visionaustralia.org.au/ais

Vision Australia – Consulting Services
Vision Australia – Accessible Information Solutions
Web accessibility
Accessibility testing and audits
Accessibility advice & support
Accessibility “Help Desk” (ad hoc advice)
Customised web workshops and seminars for various in-house audiences
Accessibility advice and training in relation to buildings and the physical environment

Vision Australia – Production Services
Preparation of transcripts for audio files, videos and Flash movies
PDF – creation of “accessible” versions
PDF – creation of accessible interactive forms
Alternative formats production – audio, Braille, large-print, tactile signs

Making the Web Accessible: Forms and Mulitmedia

by Reem Abdelaty on Sep 08, 2008

Accessibility

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Making the Web Accessible: Forms and Mulitmedia — Presentation Transcript