Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

Accessible Web Site Design

The World Wide Web has rapidly become the most popular Internet resource, combining hypertext and multimedia to provide a huge network of educational, governmental and commercial resources. Yet because of the multimedia nature of the medium, many Internet surfers cannot access some of these materials. Many visitors:

Cannot see graphics because of visual impairments

Cannot hear audio because of hearing impairments

Use slow connections and modems or older equipment that cannot download large files

Have difficulty navigating sites that are poorly organized with unclear directions because they have learning disabilities, speak English as a second language, or are younger than the average user

Use adaptive technology with their computer to access the Web

Following universal design principles ensures that all Internet users can get to the information at your website regardless of their disability or the limitations of their equipment and software. Use the following guidelines* when developing and revising your webpages to ensure that they are accessible to a diverse audience:

Maintain a simple, consistent page layout throughout your site.

Keep backgrounds simple. Make sure there is enough contrast.

Use standard HTML.

The website for the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) serves as a role model for businesses and web developers. Created with the assistance of Interliant, Inc., a leading global application service provider, the website contains a range of features that provide enhanced navigability for people with disabilities. For example, graphics are labeled with text that can be read aloud by screen readers, and the site offers low vision users a “change colors” feature that enables them to choose the color combination that is easiest to read. Log on to this website at www.afb.org.

*Provided by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Employer Recruitment Handbook; and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)