New ESU web site accessible to disabled users

Braille signs, wheelchair ramps and electric doors are commonplace in public buildings, but the online world can still pose challenges for the disabled.

That's why ESU Webmaster Zac Lavicky has used some special techniques in his recent redesign of the campus web site.

"It's becoming more and more mainstream to build in accessibility features," he said. "The web interface is one the most common form of communication today. It allows people who have a disability to visit your office or storefront without leaving their home - whether they are blind or face challenges with mobility or language."

Accessible web sites must take into account uncommon ways people might use the Internet, said Lavicky. Users who cannot move a mouse should be able to use their keyboard to "tab through" the links on a page. Blind users, who use computer "screen readers," must have text labels on page graphics. It should be easy for vision-impaired users to make their browser text larger.

Accessibility extends to people who are new to the web. A site should have a consistent design, be simple to navigate, and use type and color which is easy to read and print.

"Unorganized designs can cause confusion to a new visitor of a site," said Lavicky. "With the use of older browsers and assistive technology such as a screen reader, a poorly organized site may become impossible to navigate and gather information."

Links to other pages should be updated frequently so that users don't become frustrated by error messages. Designers should keep navigation and page layout as simple as possible, or provide a less complex alternate page containing the same information.

But this doesn't mean that a web site should be stripped down to the most basic text and graphics. "With forethought of accessibility issues in the early stages of development, it is possible to create a multi-sensual experience and still provide information to those who may rely on only one sense to gather information," said Lavicky.

Large organizations like Emporia State University have dozens of workers who build and update thousands of web pages as part of their duties. It is crucial that these kinds of organizations keep their web designers organized and well informed, said Lavicky.

"You need to have a well-trained staff and create a centralized web development group that supports a continuous training and feedback, otherwise your web site may tend to become inconsistent and difficult to navigate," said Lavicky, leads a web development committee at ESU. So far, designers have updated 1,000 pages to fit a new, fully accessible design template.

He also serves as an accessibility trainer for the State of Kansas -- helping public agencies bring their sites into compliance with federal and state regulations. Lavicky offers a full day workshop, which covers the core technologies of web development.

He also serves on the state's web accessibility subcommittee, which requires that all state-funded sites follow a set of design guidelines, which can be found at emporia.edu/accessibility.

Web sites like usablenet.com can help test web sites and spot common accessibility barriers. However, the best method is human testing, said Lavicky. At the bottom of each ESU page is an E-mail link where users can report accessibility problems.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>