Accessibility Techniques

[Please note: This guide is no longer maintained and updated. This version, however, is.]

Detailed guidelines with explanations and examples.

Structure and presentation :

• use approved web standards.
• declare HTML version.
• use structural mark-up correctly.
• avoid the use of deprecated elements.
• use logical instead of physical tags.
• use Cascading Style sheets (CSS) but ensure site also works without style sheet.
• use relative rather than absolute units.
• allow user control over presentational styles. [see chapter on CSS and chapter on relative sizes]
• use metadata to add semantic information.
• avoid auto-refresh and auto-redirect because it confuses users.
• mark up quotations correctly.
• validate code.
• additional coding tips / XHTML.

Tables :

• avoid the use of tables for layout.

If you use table for layout...

• create tables that transform gracefully.
• label data table content appropriately, identify row and column headers and associate data cells and header cells.

Frames :

• avoid frames.

If you use frames...

• provide titles for frames and frameset.
• describe frame relationships.
• provide an alternative for browsers that do not support frames.

Graphics :

• keep number of graphics limited.
• provide text alternatives for images.
• provide alternatives text links for clickable regions in images maps.
• provide client-side instead of server-side image maps.
• avoid animations.
• avoid flickering screens.

Colour :

• use browser safe colours.
• do not rely on colour alone to convey information.
• use an unobtrusive background.
• use contrasting colours for text and links.
• use icons to provide contextual clues and easy recognition.

Dynamic content & multimedia :

• provide text alternatives for audio and video.
• make sure the site is script independent or provide alternatives.
• provide equivalents for dynamic content and ensure they are updated when dynamic content changes.
• avoid scrolling, blinking or flashing text and flickering screens and make moving content stoppable.

Content and language (Writing for the Web) :

• use clear and jargon-free language.
• identify language changes.
• label abbreviations and acronyms.

Layout and navigation / Usability :

• provide consistency in style, layout and navigation
• stick to known conventions.

Alternative input and output :

• provide keyboard access (instead of mouse).
• provide an option for users of screenreaders to bypass repetitive information, e.g. navigation.

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Last updated: 17 February 2003
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