Web Site: http://www.joedolson.com/
Blog: http://www.joedolson.com/articles/
Joe Dolson runs works as an accessible web designer and consultant and regularly blogs about the topic as well as writes articles for publication.
Joe's blog does a great job of an introduction to the field and what accessibility can do for your web site (like how accessibility can make your site more usable for all visitors), as well as accessibility-related articles at various levels (beginner DIY to advanced practitioners) which are published on his site and elsewhere on the web.
I particularly like the site for the information he provides on the basic benefits that can come from properly marking up a site for accessibility... and how that in turn can help with site marketing (web semantics article, blockquotes tag info), or can require a balance between accessibility and web site ranking (alt tag best practices). He also is well-versed in other areas of web development (articles on shorturl sites) and on the tools of his own specialty (sources of US disability statistics).
This site, while not extremely heavy on accessibility content, contains a breadth of information for the beginner and advanced user and covers many topics of interest to the average web designer. In short, he seems a web designer first with a deep knowledge of accesibility that he can bring to his work. This seems like something that most people looking for a web designer should appreciate.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Section508.gov Overview
Content
The web site seems to primarily be an overview of "what is section 508" which covers the federal standard for web accessibility. There are several useful resources under "Accessibility Forum" and "FAQ" but these actually leave the Section 508 site and go to different sites. At first glance, this appears to be an informative site for people to understand what Section 508 is, but does not provide a lot of guidance on how to meet the section 508 standard.
There are some interesting pages such as the AT (Assistive Technology) Showcase that shows pictures and description of many of the devices used by various disabled users. Seeing braille printers, ergonomic keyboards, or a TTY machine can be the first look for many web designers, although details and video of these items in action aren't available.
Design
The site's design is a good example of a simple and highly accessible web site, although it is very spare and won't win any awards for visual appearance. It is simple and straight to the point. All links are simple text links, the logo is the only image. A 'site controls' box appears at the top right of each page, allowing changes to the font and text size.
Future?
The site has information on training and upcoming events, however the last event listed is January 2009. Hopefully the 'novelty' of Section 508 isn't falling off and making this site obselete. If anything, a greater push is necessary to ensure that web sites continue to be developed with universal accessibility in mind.
The web site seems to primarily be an overview of "what is section 508" which covers the federal standard for web accessibility. There are several useful resources under "Accessibility Forum" and "FAQ" but these actually leave the Section 508 site and go to different sites. At first glance, this appears to be an informative site for people to understand what Section 508 is, but does not provide a lot of guidance on how to meet the section 508 standard.
There are some interesting pages such as the AT (Assistive Technology) Showcase that shows pictures and description of many of the devices used by various disabled users. Seeing braille printers, ergonomic keyboards, or a TTY machine can be the first look for many web designers, although details and video of these items in action aren't available.
Design
The site's design is a good example of a simple and highly accessible web site, although it is very spare and won't win any awards for visual appearance. It is simple and straight to the point. All links are simple text links, the logo is the only image. A 'site controls' box appears at the top right of each page, allowing changes to the font and text size.
Future?
The site has information on training and upcoming events, however the last event listed is January 2009. Hopefully the 'novelty' of Section 508 isn't falling off and making this site obselete. If anything, a greater push is necessary to ensure that web sites continue to be developed with universal accessibility in mind.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Section 508 and Accessible Web Design
I recently saw a post by a Wendy, apparently she lives right here in ballard. She just wrote a book on Universal Design which heavily stresses web accessibility. See O'Reilly site: Universal Design for Web Applications
It got me thinking about web design and my previous career. I know the aspect of web design I enjoyed the most wasn't the actual design, it was the learning about all the different aspects that go with it: browser differences, screen sizes, accessibility, etc and the challenge of finding a design that would accommodate as many factors as possible. I liked the accessbility design in part because it was an under-addressed issue but also because it seemed to go hand in hand with simplicity... and I use that term loosely as there is little simplicity in a large, complex educational organization like where I worked.
Its got me thinking about stretching that part of my brain again.
It got me thinking about web design and my previous career. I know the aspect of web design I enjoyed the most wasn't the actual design, it was the learning about all the different aspects that go with it: browser differences, screen sizes, accessibility, etc and the challenge of finding a design that would accommodate as many factors as possible. I liked the accessbility design in part because it was an under-addressed issue but also because it seemed to go hand in hand with simplicity... and I use that term loosely as there is little simplicity in a large, complex educational organization like where I worked.
Its got me thinking about stretching that part of my brain again.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Top 100 Speeches MP3 download
I like to visit this site to supplement podcast and music downloads for 'easy listening'.
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html
This site lists its top 100 speeches and whenever available (for the majority, but not all of them) includes mp3 or flash video links and in all cases links to the transcript of the conversation. It is fascinating to listen to historical speeches by past presidents from FDR to JFK to Reagan giving historic speeches, social and political figures such as Malcolm X, Douglas McAurthur and Hillary Clinton speaking on important topics of the times and more.
The list was compiled by two university professors and were ranked by "leading scholars of American public address were asked to recommend speeches on the basis of social and political impact, and rhetorical artistry." Go ahead and listen to MLK's "I have a dream" speech, FDR's Pearl Harbor address, JFK's Cuban missle crisis address and more.
Enjoy!
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html
This site lists its top 100 speeches and whenever available (for the majority, but not all of them) includes mp3 or flash video links and in all cases links to the transcript of the conversation. It is fascinating to listen to historical speeches by past presidents from FDR to JFK to Reagan giving historic speeches, social and political figures such as Malcolm X, Douglas McAurthur and Hillary Clinton speaking on important topics of the times and more.
The list was compiled by two university professors and were ranked by "leading scholars of American public address were asked to recommend speeches on the basis of social and political impact, and rhetorical artistry." Go ahead and listen to MLK's "I have a dream" speech, FDR's Pearl Harbor address, JFK's Cuban missle crisis address and more.
Enjoy!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Pushing Daisies' Kristin wins
I don't always watch the awards shows, and only caught some of last nights telecast, but was so happy to hear the news that Kristin Chenoweth won for her part on Pushing Daisies. That was a sweet show, very unique and I liked it. I was so glad to see her win.
The best link I have found so far focuses on her needing medical attention after winning (for the onset of a migraine), but this page has some nice pictures (left) and a short video (right).
See: the Access Hollywood story and a picture site that shows what a daring dress she wore.
The best link I have found so far focuses on her needing medical attention after winning (for the onset of a migraine), but this page has some nice pictures (left) and a short video (right).
See: the Access Hollywood story and a picture site that shows what a daring dress she wore.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Two wildly different tangents
Here are a few wild tangents for you to follow on Sept 19:
Anniversary at Daisy Cottage
A blog that is always nice to visit, especially thanks to the gracious author as well as her beautiful home. This entry sums it up as she expresses her thanks on her blog anniversary. Makes you all warm and fuzzy inside.
-- Daisy Cottage; Sept 19 entry
Annual Talk Like a Pirate Day
I have heard about this for several years now. I still don't get it, but its all just harmless fun, right?
I'm not sure how long these links will work, but we'll give it a try:
-- Bing's info on Talk Like A Pirate Day
-- Google homepage, Pirate Edition
Anniversary at Daisy Cottage
A blog that is always nice to visit, especially thanks to the gracious author as well as her beautiful home. This entry sums it up as she expresses her thanks on her blog anniversary. Makes you all warm and fuzzy inside.
-- Daisy Cottage; Sept 19 entry
Annual Talk Like a Pirate Day
I have heard about this for several years now. I still don't get it, but its all just harmless fun, right?
I'm not sure how long these links will work, but we'll give it a try:
-- Bing's info on Talk Like A Pirate Day
-- Google homepage, Pirate Edition
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Overwhelmed by minutiae
I increasingly find that the minutiae of daily life becomes more trying. Is it hypersensitivity to minor irritations? I don't think so. They seem to be everywhere and in such great detail.
While over the decades items like washer/dryers, dishwashers, tv/cable, computers and electronics have given us more free time and more ways to spend that free time, almost all of these devices are getting more and more complicate to purchase, setup and use... not to mention costly especially if you make a mistake (home support, device contracts and cancellation fees, etc). As if they are built in to force delayed choices and stick with those choices.
I remember you used to be able to get basic cable for $20... now that will barely buy you local channels... and the next leap up will cost you almost $70 more, then add special language or movie packages and its even more. On top of that there are now gaming or HDTV choices all of which are dependent on the movie system or television set you already own. The same goes for internet, cell phone and plans, etc.
I find it most infuriating. Mostly because as soon as you buy something it is outmoded. Buy a laptop... a better battery technology, touch screen or superfast processor comes out. The only other option is to be independently wealthy.
There is little use in complaining. These devices have allowed unprecendented access to information, even on the go. This seemed to be key to the uprising against the Iranian govt that they could exercise little control over (as blogs and twitter were outside Iranian jurisdiction).
But the speed of change and the sheer mountain of minutiae does make it awfully hard to 'catch up' when you've taken a time out with children, family illness, sabatical or whatever. Here's to finding the way back in.
While over the decades items like washer/dryers, dishwashers, tv/cable, computers and electronics have given us more free time and more ways to spend that free time, almost all of these devices are getting more and more complicate to purchase, setup and use... not to mention costly especially if you make a mistake (home support, device contracts and cancellation fees, etc). As if they are built in to force delayed choices and stick with those choices.
I remember you used to be able to get basic cable for $20... now that will barely buy you local channels... and the next leap up will cost you almost $70 more, then add special language or movie packages and its even more. On top of that there are now gaming or HDTV choices all of which are dependent on the movie system or television set you already own. The same goes for internet, cell phone and plans, etc.
I find it most infuriating. Mostly because as soon as you buy something it is outmoded. Buy a laptop... a better battery technology, touch screen or superfast processor comes out. The only other option is to be independently wealthy.
There is little use in complaining. These devices have allowed unprecendented access to information, even on the go. This seemed to be key to the uprising against the Iranian govt that they could exercise little control over (as blogs and twitter were outside Iranian jurisdiction).
But the speed of change and the sheer mountain of minutiae does make it awfully hard to 'catch up' when you've taken a time out with children, family illness, sabatical or whatever. Here's to finding the way back in.
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