The accessibility movement, to its credit, has done much to make websites barrier-free for a wider audience. But is this virtuous approach now being eroded by new technologies?
Perhaps this is a contentious headline. But with the increasing dependence on video, Flash, and visual content this is a valid question.
Let me get this clear from the start - I believe we should make our websites accessible. My question is - just how far are content publishers prepared to restrict ar adapt the use of new inaccessible technologies?
I was doing some web writing training recently for some scientists. They have wisely put a warning notice on their website about the limitations of accessibility of their website. Many graphs, visuals, tables, Flash representations of data and processes are simply impossible to present in any other way.
The majority of downloadable pdfs on the web today do not set the column reading order for audio browsers. They don’t include alt tags nor include the language of the publication in the meta data. Even some of the largest government departments are guilty of this.
… even some of the largest government departments are guilty
Elearning is growing in popularity, but the majority of elearning software systems create non-accessible flash output.
page turning
When I am judging online newsletters and I see ‘page turning’ publications being used, if no alternative script is provided, they get marked down. They look great as the pages realistically flip over - but all the ones I have seen have been inaccessible.
I can’t understand why organisations use them. They simulate publications designed for paper, so the layout is less readable on screen. That's an accessibility problem for all of us! I find them a real headache to zoom in and read. Unlike email newsletters, it’s impossible to track who clicks on what - so there are no marketing or editorial side-benefits. Is the animation worth it?
commonsense
As websites become more televisual in their approach, as the cuts bite in the public sector that will limit reworking or expensive multiple translations of material and, as there have been precious few successful court cases worldwide, is commonsense at last prevailing?
One accessibility expert once said to me that those with disabilities are highly proficient with the assistive technologies and well used to workarounds every day. We cannot be anything other than impressed with their ingenuity and skill in surmounting their handicaps. But are they less bothered than some over-zealous accessibility experts who probably have no disabilities?
where are we going?
You see bus shelter timetables, restaurant menus, department store layout guides, airport departure boards (and there are many other examples) that make no concession to the visually impaired and yet these organisations get away with impunity.
The question remains for web publishers where do they go from here?