10 Common Errors When Implementing Accessibility

By Trenton Moss
2008-01-29


Don't forget about the content

The way that content is structured on any website is an enormous part of accessibility. A website may be perfectly coded and conform to the highest coding standards. If its content is poorly structured though, the site will prove difficult to impossible for some special needs web users.

There are a number of important accessible content considerations, some of which include:

• Front-loading content so that each paragraph begins with the conclusion
• Ensuring content has been broken down into manageable chunks with descriptive sub-headings
• Using lists wherever appropriate
• Ensuring that plain and simple language is used

Tutorial Pages:
» Introduction
» Don't use verbose ALT text
» Don't use random characters to separate links
» Don't insert text into empty form fields for the sake of it
» Don't use access keys
» Don't use the table summary (unless it actually adds value)
» Don't forget about the content
» Don't worry too much about accessibility statements
» Don't agonise over acronyms and abbreviations
» Don't change the tab order (unless you have a very good reason to do so)
» Don't forget to listen with a screen reader

Related Tutorials: » Setting Up Subversion for Development on Windows » Stylize Your Digg Count » Installing Apache on Windows » Ecommerce Imagery: Persuading with Pictures » Customizable Websites - The Definitive Guide » 7 Usability Guidelines for Websites on Mobile Devices