On the web, information can be presented in many ways. Web designers often leverage multimedia, images and other rich technologies to effectively communicate their message in a small space. However, these technologies can often challenge the the function ability of many user with a disability to access and use the information. Many use assistive technology to access the web environment. To be accessible, the web page design must address:
- Content Perception (ability to read and perceive information being conveyed by text, graphics and multimedia objects)
- Site Navigation (ease of finding information being presented)
- Site Interoperability (ability to interact and conduct transactions)
- Visual display and layout (presentation)
Accessibility Challenges
Blindness
- Site Navigation
- Linear read order
- Perception of graphic and visual elements
- Moving text
- Mouse related activities
Low Vision or Visual Impairments
- Site Navigation
- Size of text and graphical elements
- Color discrimination
- Blinking or flicker images
- Moving text
Hearing Loss
- Audio output
Motor Impairments
- Motor activities (keyboard and mouse)
- Site Navigation
Learning and processing deficits
- Reading perception (text impaired)
- Site navigation
- Information overload
- Reading comprehension
