websites

							                                      Websites

        Queens’ University has developed an official resource on creating accessible
websites: The Web Standards and Accessibility Development Guide. This can be
accessed at this link: http://www.queensu.ca/www/wsaguide/index.html
        Before beginning to author or update a site, please refer to the Web Standards
and Accessibility Guide. It is a resource filled with all the necessary information and
considerations you must make in order to successfully develop an accessible website.
 The Queen’s Web Standards guide follows World Wide Web Consortium (WC3)
guidelines - put in place by an international community to maintain web and accessibility
standards. However, it is intended for people who have some experience and
knowledge with website creation and editing.
        The The Web Standards and Accessibility Development Guide has a detailed
checklist of considerations to make when creating an accessible website available here:
http://www.queensu.ca/www/wsaguide/summary.html

       Should you not be an experienced website creator and editor, you can use
WebPublish. By using WebPublish, you will be in keeping with Queen’s Visual Identoty
Policy and Accessibility Plan.

       This Accessibility Toolkit offers a basic checklist of things to consider when
creating an accessible website with WebPublish as well as any other web publication
tool.

Hyperlinks

      Avoid language which uses spatial/visual reference (ex. click on the link to the
      right)

      Use descriptive hyperlinks - avoid vague text such as “click here” (example, the web
      link http://queensu.ca should be be written as "Queen's University Homepage")


      Links to Queen’s University web pages should not open in a new window

Formatting

      Keep pages clear and simple

      Avoid excessive vertical or horizontal scrolling
Images

        Avoid using flashing or animated images

        Add alternative text to images posted on the website (to accomplish this with
        WebPublish: when you insert an image, put in the alternative text in the
        “Description” field of the window)




                              How to Create Good Alternate Text:
    •   Consider the content and function of your image.

    •   If it provides content to your document, make sure that the information the image
        provides is described in the alt text

    •   If your image only provides a function (for example, providing a portrait of a
        historical figure described in the text) you need only describe the image. In the
        case that the image is of a historical figure, write his/her name as the alt text.

    •   Try not to use “Image of...” or “Graphic of...” as alt text. That is usually evident to
        the person reading the alt text.

    •   Do not repeat the information which is contained in the document itself into the
        alt text. If it's already in the document, that should be enough.

Sounds

        Avoid using sounds on a webpage, as they may interfere with screen readers




Sources: http://wiki.queensu.ca/display/itsd/Accessibility and
http://www.queensu.ca/www/wsaguide/index.html