Look what I just found

I still have this blog. Forgot about until wandering through my google account. I may just have to start this back up!

Issues to consider

Is the site:

· E-commerce/sales

· Informational/Promotion

· Blog

Does the site consist of:

· Web pages and page elements (tables, columns, page layout, etc)

· Input Forms

· Images, Animation, Video/audio streaming/downloads

· Imbedded links, widgets or games

What problems do disabled Internet users face?

http://www.mickwood.com/articles/barriers.shtml

1. visual
2. aural
3. physical (motor)
4. cognitive

Range of disabilities that present problems to using the web

http://www.accessifyforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=566

· Visually impaired

· Colour blind

· Dyslexic

· Unable to use a normal mouse

Review of Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools

WAVE
http://wave.webaim.org/
Check individual web pages by entering a URL or uploading a file. The page is re-created on their site with reminders of areas to check or hints on what is lacking for accessibility standards. Mouseovers of 'alert icons' provide more details on the potential problems. A great way to estimate a new design




Bobby Accessibility Checker
CAST no longer supports the Bobby accessiblity testing software. Bobby was sold to Watchfire in 2004 which, in turn, was acquired by IBM in 2007.Although Bobby is no longer available as a free service or standalone product, it is one of the tests included within the IBM Rational Policy Tester Accessibility Edition software, the comprehensive enterprise application for testing websites.

W3C List of Web Evaluation Tools
http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tools/complete
Covers all sorts of very specific tools (web page reviews in step by step and review formats, pdf, color usage/contrast, flash) available for purchase or online.

Review of Discussion Forums

There are many web sites and blogs discussing web design and disability usability

w3C WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) Interest Group
http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/w3c-wai-ig/
You can subscribe to this mailing list, but its best to start with checking the web archives. Run 25 to 100+ messages a month, covering international news, conferences, latest tools, latest projects, requests for paper reviews, or specific design questions (recent included: complex data tables, the role of the H1 tag, pdfs and color contrast).

U ACCESS-L
http://trace.wisc.edu:8080/mailarchive/uaccess-l/
This mailing list covers accessibility in information technology. Recent posts showed accessibility in new technology (eyes-free access to android phones) and news such as recent FCC/FEMA standards for accessible mobile emergency alert standards, recent print stories on web accessibility.

Accessify Forum
http://www.accessifyforum.com/
This site is dedicated solely to accessibility and the web. It has several forums included one for beginners, another for site critiques, news and resources, legal issues/web standards, and site building and testing. There are also 5 general discuss forums, and two project specific forums. You can read through posts, but you must register in order to reply and take part in discussions.

That is it for today. A few resources for you to reach out and connect with people on specific questions or just keep up on the latest changes and news.

Haiti Earthquake

Massive devastation in places that can least afford it. Not that catastrophic events are any better when countries can afford it, but it just seems that people who already have so little and must struggle to make ends meet regarding the basics in life are clearly ill equipped to absorb such a major tragedy.

Maybe it is just the understanding that it is unlikely that stringent building standards, lavish emergency services, and trained and equipped support services would be readily available anywhere in the world. When potentially millions of people are without homes, medical services and organized aid to distribute food and water, provide shelter and aid in rebuilding... what happens. Are people who presumably lived with basic food, water and shelter any better off in such circumstances than say in the US where we rely on vast networks for our electric and gas power/heat, grocery networks and expert craftsman who can repair and rebuild our homes?

Just so sad to see such utter devastation and wonder once again what we can do so far away from it all.