Universal Webpage Design

1. Introduction

   1. What is Universal Access?

      "Universal Access" refers to the development of information technology systems flexible enough to accommodate the needs of the broadest range of computer users regardless of age or disability. Accessibility of web pages is insured by thoughtful page design; a focus on content and structure, not aesthetics.
      

   2. Why is it important for Web pages to be Universally Accessible?
      1. HTML=potential access barrier for people with disabilities. Disabilities are often categorized in the following manner:
         1. Vision

            While many different disabilities can interfere with a person's use of the Web, impairments associated with vision account for the great majority of access barriers. These disabilities may include:

            • Color Blindness
            • Low Vision
            • Blindness
         2. Hearing
         3. Orthopedic
         4. Learning Disability
            
            
      2. People with disabilities often require the use of assistive computer technologies to overcome access barriers to information technology .
         1. Examples of assistive computer technology:
            • voice recognition
            • screen readers
            • screen magnifiers
            • keyboard enhancements
            • flexible environmental enhancements (i.e., ergonomics)
   3. Why should you care?
      1. It is the law

         Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires a public college to take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with persons with disabilities are "as effective as communications with others". According to a September 1996 letter from Deval L. Patrick, Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, to Senator Tom Harkin state and local governments entities subject to Title II of the ADA that use the Internet to provide information regarding their programs, goods or services must be prepared to offer those communications through accessible means.

      2. It should be our intention to design pages that are as accessible as possible for the greatest number of users. More than 20% of all US citizens have a disability. Here is a glimpse at our present and future:

         Prevalence of Selected Impairments in the United States

         	All Ages	Over 65
         Impairments (vision, hearing, etc.)	20.3%	50.1%
         Circulatory conditions	21.7%	63.8%
         Respiratory conditions	26.2%	35.0%
         Skin and musculoskeletal conditions	25.5%	57.4%
         Other chronic conditions (diabetes, urinary, other)	27.8%	30.5%

         Based on recompilation of data from Czajka (1984). Source: National Center for Health Statistics, 1979 and 1980 National Health Interview Survey
         
         Here are some interesting figures:

         • 48 million US citizens have disabilities.
         • 15% of these users require assistive computer technologies to access info tech.
         • Nearly 10% of all Internet users have a disability.
           

2. Design Guidelines

3. Demonstration

   1. JAWS
   2. Internet Explorer
      1. Built-in accessibility features
      2. Use of personal style sheets

4. Resources