Web Accessibility

What is Web Accessibility

Web accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of ensuring that websites and web applications are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. This involves designing and developing digital content in a way that allows people with disabilities to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the web effectively.

Common disabilities that web accessibility aims to accommodate include:

1. Visual impairments: People who are blind or have low vision may use screen readers, braille displays, or screen magnification software to access web content.

2. Hearing impairments: Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may require transcripts or captions for audio content.

3. Motor impairments: People with mobility issues may use alternative input devices, such as mouth sticks or eye gaze systems, to navigate websites.

4. Cognitive impairments: Individuals with cognitive disabilities may benefit from clear navigation, simple language, and consistent layouts to facilitate understanding.

Web accessibility involves adhering to standards and guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide recommendations for making web content more accessible. These guidelines cover various aspects of web design and development, including:

• Perceivable: Ensuring that content is presented in ways that users can perceive, regardless of their abilities.
• Operable: Making web interfaces navigable and operable through various input methods.
• Understandable: Ensuring that content and functionality are understandable to all users.
• Robust: Maximizing compatibility with different assistive technologies and future web technologies.

By making websites and web applications accessible, developers and designers can provide equal access to information and services, promoting inclusivity and diversity on the web.

Screen Readers 

JAWS

• Windows
• https://support.freedomscientific.com/Downloads/JAWS
• https://support.freedomscientific.com/Downloads/OfflineInstallers#jaws

NVDA

• Windows
• https://www.nvaccess.org/download/

Mac, iOS

• use built-in VoiceOver feature
• https://support.apple.com/guide/voiceover/welcome/mac
• https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/turn-on-and-practice-voiceover-iph3e2e415f/ios

Windows

• https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/accessibility-features
• Win11
  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/meet-windows-11-accessibility-41e9b0f6-1e8c-4501-a82c-e0b915a8c3d9
• Win10/11
  https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/develop/accessibility
• Edge browser
  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/accessibility-features-in-microsoft-edge-4c696192-338e-9465-b2cd-bd9b698ad19a

More info

• https://webaim.org/
• Using NVDA, https://webaim.org/articles/nvda/
• https://dequeuniversity.com/screenreaders/nvda-keyboard-shortcuts#nvda-browse_focus_modes
• https://www.accessibility-developer-guide.com/knowledge/screen-readers/desktop/reading-websites/
• Using JAWS, https://webaim.org/articles/jaws/
• Keyboard shortcuts, https://webaim.org/resources/shortcuts/jaws

Web Accessibility Checking Software

Firefox Extensions

• IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker
  https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/accessibility-checker
• Video, https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/accessibility-video
• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/wave-accessibility-tool

Chrome Extensions

• TBA

Standalone Software

• TBA

This page will be continually updated as we receive more information.