Accessible Design: Best Practices

Index of Guidelines Covered in this Tutorial

section 508 || WCAG Priority 1 || WCAG Priority 2 || WCAG Priority 3 || WAC Best Practices

MWAS

• 1) A text equivalent for every non-text element shal be provided.
• 2) Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with presentation.
• 3) Web pages shall be designed so all information conveyed with color is available without color.
• 4) Ensure that foreground and background color provide sufficient contrast.
• 5) Documents shall be organized so that they are readable without style sheets.
• 6) Client-side image maps shall be provided instead of server-side.
• 7) Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map.
• 8) Row and column headers shall be identified for datat tables.
• 9) Markup shall be used to associate data cells and header cells for datat tables.
• 10) Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation.
• 11) Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker.
• 12) The information provided by a script shall be identified with functional text.
• 13) When a web page requires a plugin the page must provide a link to the plug-in.
• 14) Forms shall allow people using assistive technlogy to access all required fields.
• 15) A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links.
• 16) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted.
• 17) Do not change the current windows without informing the user.
• 18) Clearly identify the target of each link.
• 19) An accessible mirror page with equivalent information should be supplied.

Section 508

• (a) Text equivalents for images, media, and scripts.
• (b) Synchronized equivalent alternatives for multimedia.
• (c) Color used for layout.
• (d) Documents remain readable when stylesheets turned off.
• (g)&(h) Identify table row and column headers for data tables.
• (j) Screen flicker rates.
• (k) Providing equivalent alternatives (text-only versions).
• (n) Guidelines for forms.
• (o) Skip navigation link.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

Priority 1 Issues

• 1.1 Text equivalents for images, media, and scripts.
• 1.3 Auditory descriptions for multimedia.
• 2.1 Color used for layout.
• 4.1 Language declaration.
• 5.1/5.2 Identify table row and column headers for data tables.
• 6.1 Organize documents so they may be read without style sheets.
• 7.1 Avoid causing the screen to flicker.

Priority 2 Issues

• 1.1.3 Document title.
• 2.2 Contrast colors.
• 3.2 DOCTYPE declaration.
• 3.3 Use style sheets to control layout and presentation.
• 3.4 Use relative rather than absolute sizing (stylesheets).
• 3.4 Use relative rather than absolute sizing (tables).
• 3.6 Mark-up list items properly.
• 5.3 Avoid layout tables or be sure they can be lineralized.
• 5.4 Do not use header tags for formatting in layout tables.
• 10.2 Positioning form control labels.
• 11.4 Providing equivalent alternatives (text-only versions).
• 12.4 Form control labels.
• 13.1 Clearly identify the target of each link.
• 13.4 Use navigation mechanisms in a consistent manner.

Priority 3 Issues

• 5.5 Provide summaries for tables.
• 9.4 Creating a logical read-order (forms).
• 9.4 Create a logical tab order (navigation).
• 9.5 Keyboard shortcuts (forms).
• 9.5 Keyboard shortcuts (navigation).
• 10.4 Place-holding characters (forms).
• 13.5 Provide navigation bars.
• 14.3 Style of presentation consistent across pages (layout).
• 14.3 Style of presentation consistent across pages (stylesheets).
• 14.3 Use linked style sheets.

WAC Best Practices

• META-descriptions.
• META-keywords.
• Long ALT tags and image captions.
• Auto-updating alternative versions of the site.
• Avoid using images to represent text.
• Avoid too many levels in your site organization.
• Use site structure to organize like/related files.
• Include a default or index page in every folder within the site.
• Use standard link colors whenever possible.
• Provide summaries for tables.
• Provide abbreviated alternatives for lengthy column and row headers.

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