ON-LINE Guidelines: Accessible Web Design

Guideline Papers

Page layout is consistent and simple.
Backgrounds are simple and ensure there is adequate contrast.
A clear, consistent navigation structure is used.
Navigation bars provide easy access to the navigation structure. Easy to navigate around site including between text-only and graphic pages.
Instructions are provided to describe the general layout of the site, the access features used, and how to use them.
Include information about accessibility and encourage users to feedback with access concerns.
A site map is available
Nothing in the site prevents keyboard operation.
Different types of searches are available for different skill levels and preferences.
Attempt standard HTML formats - use of tags TITLE/ALT etc.
Elements outside of the HTML 4.0 specifications are not used.
If text only pages are used they must be updated with the graphics page. Navigation between the two sites needs to be very clear.
Create a single downloadable file for documents that exist as a series of separate pages

ALT attributes: include short, descriptive ALT tags for all graphical features.
Images & Image Maps (also called ISMAPS): text alternative for all images; description for each link in image map; use client-side image maps; description for all image links.
Links: link phrase should make sense and can be understood out of context; place non-link printable characters between consecutive links; minimise the use of multiple hyperlinks in a single line of text.
Audio and Video: provide captioning and transcriptions of materials; text transcripts; description of all video information in audio form; separate text transcript of all video descriptions, synchronised descriptions.
Lists: use number lists rather than bullets, they are easier to navigate around.
Text: use the heading tags in the proper order; moving or blinking type not used.
Buttons: use large buttons for navigation around the page/site.

Frames: label frames; use sparingly; provide a no frame option.
Tables: explicitly tag table elements, use style sheets. Minimise the use of tables, can be made accessible if necessary.
Forms, Databases and User-input Forms: explicitly label controls; ALT tag for images as 'submit' buttons; forms tend to be inaccessible allow download version that can be mailed/emailed; always test forms and databases with a text browser; include email and other contact information.
Applets and Scripts: provide text alternative <NOSCRIPT> and a non-Java option; allow text to viewed statically; describe applets with important information; provide alternative ways of gathering information, if no alternative format make applet directly accessible.
Style Sheets: pages must be readable without style sheets (this is a new way formatting to position text and objects other than with tables); with style sheets it is difficult for old browsers to read; should begin to learn use of style sheets.