Designing accessible web-based resources
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What you need to know about accessible web design
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Much of the web is still not accessible (although this is continuously improving)
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Access to web pages is covered by the law (Disability Discrimination Act) Find out more in the section Responsibilities of training providers
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International guidelines exist which describe standards for accessible web design
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Many resources exist to help designers design for access and usability
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) http://www.w3.org/WAI/
The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) published Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 in 1999. These guidelines are seen as the international benchmark for minimum accessibility standards. A draft of a second version was completed in 2004, and is available at the Web Accessibility Initiative site.
The current guidelines address two general themes: ensuring graceful transformation, and making content understandable and navigable.
The guidelines present a series of checkpoints regarding web page design. Each checkpoint has a priority level assigned by the Working Group based on the checkpoint's impact on accessibility.
Priority One is the minimum standard, setting the basic requirements so that some groups can use web documents. Reaching the Priority Two checkpoint will remove significant barriers for more groups. Achieving the Priority Three checkpoint will improve access for a wider group of users.
Resources on Accessible Web Design
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) - World Wide Web Accessibility
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/webaccess/index.htm
A list of useful resources including the commission's advisory note on access to the World Wide Web.
Everyone Online, Australian Flexible Learning Framework
http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/accessequity/aboutus/aboutus.htm
Chose the online tutorial for tips and techniques for designing accessible online learning.
IMS Global Learning Consortium Inc
http://www.imsproject.org/accessibility/index.html
This is a technical resource for designing accessible electronic learning applications.
Guidelines for Commonwealth Information published in electronic formats
http://www.agimo.gov.au/information/publishing/formats
This resource has been written for people involved in publishing government information in electronic formats.
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