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Web Accessibility and Universal Design a Primer on Standards and Best Practices for Libraries

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Web Accessibility and Universal Design a Primer on Standards and Best Practices for Libraries Chapter 4 Web Accessibility and Universal Design A Primer on Standards and Best Practices for Libraries Debra A. Riley-Huff Abstract MS in instructional design and technology from Empo- ria State University. As library users access more services through the Web, Library websites serve the information needs of the importance of providing usable and accessible websites extremely diverse populations. This fact challenges and content has come to the forefront of library service us to provide state-of-the-art Web services in terms of concerns. While libraries do have some unique use cases, both usability and accessibility. Luckily, this challenge for the most part simply following established standards is surmountable. In this chapter, we will look at the and best practices in usability, accessibility, and univer- basics of Web accessibility, learn how to create and sal design will allow libraries to offer clear and consistent upgrade static websites to achieve better usability, and Web services and interfaces. This chapter touches on the discuss accessibility best practices in modern content Library Technology ReportsLibrary Technology most important aspects of Web usability and accessibility management systems. and offers a basic roadmap for both increasing aware- ness and accomplishing concrete Web usability goals and accessibility compliance. In chapter 4 of Library Technol- The Basics: What to Know and Why ogy Reports (vol. 48, no. 7) “Making Libraries Acces- sible: Adaptive Design and Assistive Technology” we will Considering the core values of the profession, website look at the basics of Web accessibility, learn how to create accessibility in libraries should be, simply stated, a and upgrade static websites, and discuss accessibility best given. It is the right thing to do, not only for people practices in modern content management systems such as with disabilities but for all users. It is well known Drupal or WordPress. among Web developers that websites that are acces- alatechsource.org sible are also much more usable for everyone.1 We often hear Web accessibility come up in an About the Author organization’s discussions regarding liability and fear of exposure to litigious actions by individuals who are Debra Riley-Huff is currently Web services librarian unable to access Web content. While this is certainly a and associate professor at the University of Missis- valid concern, Section 508 of the Americans with Dis- October 2012 sippi. She is the 2012–13 convener for the LITA Uni- abilities Act has resulted in a less-than-definitive legal versal Accessibility Interest Group. Riley-Huff has landscape, which is difficult to interpret at best. written several articles related to Web services and is Camilla Fulton gives us an excellent overview of a strong advocate of universal design, open access, and the tangled and regional legal scenarios surrounding open source technologies. She holds an MLIS and an Web accessibility for those interested.2 Rather than 29 Making Libraries Accessible: Adaptive Design and Assistive Technology Char Booth, Editor dwell on the fine details of what you need to be doing legally, you can leave that type of discussion to your organiza- tion’s legal counsel and focus on moving forward with the business of making your library’s website more usable and accessi- ble. The result of your efforts will greatly ease any legal concerns. Know the Standards The first step on the path to an accessible website is becoming familiar with Web accessibility standards. Web standards in the areas of accessibility and usabil- ity have a fairly easy-to-follow path that Figure 4.1 should make accessibility on your website The Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE). a reachable goal. Your main constraints will be the size of your site and the human resources of simplicity are overlooked in Web interface design. you have available to get the work completed, but there While a flashy, tricked-out website seems to be what are many resources listed throughout this chapter that everyone wants, in reality information seekers are on will help you along the way. One such resource is the task and they appreciate simplicity, simple designs, Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE, see figure and straightforward workflows. Move away from the 4.1), a free site that allows you to plug in your library approach of building separately for disabled users, and website’s URL and see specific accessibility problems in concern yourself with creating clean, beautiful, usable, your code—give it a try and see what you find. This and and accessible websites. other evaluation sites are listed in the Tools and Tests Remember that the user is never the problem— section later in the chapter. the website is—and it is your job to create a great user experience. Help the rest of your library staff understand that Web accessibility is important, and WAVE: Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool have them let you know of any issues or problems wave.webaim.org they see users encountering on the website. Have an accessibility statement on your website, and provide a contact form for users with questions or problems. The current standards for Web accessibility are Being accessible to your users is a great way to bring known as the “guidelines” made available through enhanced understanding to your site building experi- W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative, known as the Web ence. A couple of examples of excellent accessibility Content Accessibility Guidelines, or WCAG 2.0. WCAG statements are listed in the gray box. 2.0 is itself a lengthy set of standards that have been made more useable and easy to follow by the WAI October 2012 companion website. The WAI website is an up-to-date, Randolph Township Free Public Library authoritative, and invaluable resource outlining Web Accessibility Statement accessibility standards. www.randolphnj.org/library/accessibility_statement University of New Brunswick Libraries Web Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Accessibility Statement alatechsource.org 2.0 www.lib.unb.ca/help/accessibility.php www.w3.org/TR/WCAG Web Accessibility Initiative website Know the Tools Your Community May Be Using www.w3.org/WAI As Chris Guder points out in chapter 2, the assistive technology tools that people with disabilities use to Know the Community access Web content are varied and can be complicated to learn. People have a wide range of disabilities, and Library Technology ReportsLibrary Technology To the extent that it is possible, know your user commu- almost everyone will have some type of accessibility nity. Too often, the user narrative and the importance issue at some point in their lives. Be aware that your 30 Making Libraries Accessible: Adaptive Design and Assistive Technology Char Booth, Editor users, depending on their situation, may be in the if it is accessible. Before we go into the nitty-gritty of process of learning their own tools—this reality only cleaning up or building accessible websites, there are serves to emphasize the need for Web standards for all. a few salient points to cover right away: The most prominent Web accessibility tool is the screen reader, software that interprets the screen dis- • Building accessible websites or rebuilding play in audio or braille format. Doing some research inaccessible ones takes time and effort. How on the various types of screen readers and how they big the project will be depends on many factors, work is worthwhile, as is testing your site in a screen including skills, tools, and human resources avail- reader (again, refer to chapter 2 for specific examples able. Try to get full administrative support in this of assistive technology). In addition to screen readers, area. the visually impaired often use magnification tools. • Identify problems. If you need to evaluate the Most primary and secondary schools, municipal accessibility of an older website, you will first governments, and higher education institutions have need to identify your problem areas. The Tools some type of office of disability services. Familiar- and Tests section of this chapter provides more ize yourself with the resources available to disabled information for evaluation. users in your community. Often, these offices will be • Flash websites are for the most part inacces- more than happy to show you how the assistive tech- sible. There are ways to make Flash websites nology works and even allow you to do some testing. accessible, but they are expensive and difficult. In Understanding how disabled users are actually access- addition, Flash is heavy to load, and the code is of ing your website is a great way to have a broad work- poor quality. Whenever possible avoid Flash for able understanding of how to maximize your website your content as well. If you have legacy materials accessibility. in Flash, think about converting them to a more accessible format soon. Don’t purchase Flash- based content from vendors that do not have an Where to Start accessible counterpart. • Know HTML and CSS. If you are building web- Usability and Accessibility Start with Your Content sites using the “design mode” of an editor because Writing for the Web is an art, and the style is minimal- you are not comfortable with HTML and CSS, stop ism. This is an area where you may have problems, and learn them (or bring someone who knows particularly if you do not have the authority to con- them well into the project). You cannot possibly trol, monitor, or intervene in bad content creation. build quality, accessible websites in design mode, Being succinct, chunking content, using headers, and regardless of what a product evangelist tells you. writing in absolutely clear language on the Web are In order to create accessible websites, you must much more important than they may be in other con- be able to separate presentation from content, texts.
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