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?

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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

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Legal and General Insurance- UK success storyRebuilt 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

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Legal and Policy ContextsDisability 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?

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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

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Accessible Content

Must be:

Perceivable

Operable

Understandable

Robust

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Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – W3C

Version 1 - Current reference standardwww.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

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Forms are used to:

Submit applications

Contact organisations

Request information

Access account information

Search a website

Pay an account

Forms

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Typical Forms

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Example

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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

Do not have to use the phone

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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

© Vision Australia 2008 17

Example Form

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Example Continued

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Accessibility Outcome

Better than a PDF for many people

Can use some assistive technology

Can complete the form online

Do not have to use the phone

No need to confront mobility challenges

© Vision Australia 2008 20

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

© Vision Australia 2008 21

Zoom 4X Magnification

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Normal Size

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Another Example

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Laid out using tables

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Clearly identify required fields

Forms

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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

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Ensure that all label text is clear and unique

Forms

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Associate labels with the corresponding input controls

Forms

<label for=“name”>Name:</label>

<input id=“name” />

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Group form items into sections using <fieldset> and <legend>

<fieldset>

<legend>Personal Details</legend>

...FORM CONTENT GOES HERE…

</fieldset>

Forms

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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

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Accessible Multimedia

CaptionsAuslanAudio description

Embedded between words Extended, via video pause

Full text equivalent Transcript Other sounds Audio description

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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

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Vision Australia ContactsBrian Hardy, Gaynor Eccleston

Vision Australia: Accessible Information Solutions 454 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong Vic 3144

4 Mitchell Street, Enfield NSW 2136

Kent Street, Woolloongabba Qld 4102

Web Accessibility Team: 1300 367 055 Brian.hardy@visionaustralia.org

Gaynor.eccleston@visionaustralia.org

www.visionaustralia.org.au/ais

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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

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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