Hey classmates!
I read the article about the five steps to an accessible website. Although they are factors I am sure I would have considered later when producing my own website, I really was shocked at how little I had previously thought about accessibility on a website. There is a lot more that goes into creating an accessible website and a lot of consideration must be paid to those with hearing, seeing, and speech disabilities, as well as those with movement and cognitive impairments.
The author of the article believes that there are five steps to making a truly accessible website. They include: organization, navigation without a mouse, text explanations for images, text that makes sense, and web validators. A few of the issues that stuck out to me and reminded me of my own previous concerns with other websites were with regard to organization. It is important to not set up your website where it requires horizontal scrolling, and I couldn't agree more. I have a difficult time navigating websites that are set up this way on certain computers and it makes it difficult to organize the information in your own research. Another valid point with regard to the organization of one's website is to keep in mind how your colors are working together, there are too many times where I simply cannot read the information I find on the computer screen which is extremely frustrating. I believe that as we begin to set up our websites that we must pay attention to these issues. I may need some assistance with a few of these aspects but I think it is important that if you are trying to convey information and messages through a website that everyone can access it.
Thank you
Brooke Gerrard
Hi Brooke,
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought much about accessibility on a website before, either. There are so many things we are more or less required to do online now (paying bills, registering for courses, searching for business information and maps, etc.), it makes sense that accessibility is so important for everyone, including the disabled. Navigating sidewalks in heavy traffic is probably infinitely easier for the seeing-impaired than navigating most websites. It's great that there are options available and it's something to keep in mind when we create our teacher pages, especially if we have disabled students or parents.
As for the horizontal scrolling and color schemes, it's amazing how many websites don't take their users into consideration when selecting their layout & style. It's a good reminder that something simple but easily readable goes a lot further than a crazy site packed with personal flair!
See you in class,
Melissa
Hi Brooke
ReplyDeleteI feel like taking our 422 class Im really learning so much; until I realize the more I know the less I know. Brooke you did a great job of pointing out specifics from the article like scrolling horizontally. That is such a pain. And with setting up websites for students,they are not as patient, and will immediately give up if the links are not obvious. I think graphics are a good idea but I agree with you that bad orginization is so frusterating. Everything needs a purpose. I plan to go into special education and a child with poor fine motor skills is not able to navigate as easily as the typical student.
Thanks for the reading Alison Disque