Accessibility Guidelines, Resources & Information
"The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect." -- Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web
Accessibility Now! The One Web Project
Accessiblility Now! The One Web Project is actively seeking support and involvement in forming a coalition of member sites, business concerns, foundations and individuals in a proactive approach to addressing and improving accessibility on the Web. Far too many websites are built with little or no accessibilty considerations. Sadly, even many news and informations sites are lacking in this important area of concern. There is no excuse, there can be no excuse. The technology and guidelines are available to all webmasters and content providers. Building an accessible website is not a mystical undertaking, it is however, a humanistic responsibility. It's time to take action, be vocal, and assertive.
The One Web Project is open to all. We are seeking articles, shared resources, product review and information as well as personal stories detailing all aspects of Web Accessiblity issues. Inquiries, article and story submissions, and accessibility related materials should be sent to the following address: The One Web Project, BIGBAER.com, P.O. Box 694, Land O' Lakes, WI 54540-0694 USA.
Places you should know: MS Web People is an Internet resource for individual dealing with multiple sclerosis. It is the personal project of my good friend Peter Anderson. Please visit MS Web People!
Access Keys
Who needs a MOUSE? New ACCESSKEY assignments allow easy keyboard navigation of the BIG BAER Urban Alternative website. Access Keys provide shortcuts to important or common parts of the site. The current list of Access Keys on the site is:
- I - Skip Navigation Menus
- M - Home Page
- C - Table of Contents
- G - Glossary
- B - Accessibility Information
- E - Site Index
- S - Search the Web
- H - Help
- T - Top of Page
- K - Access Key List
Browser support Usage of access keys differs according to browser:
- Internet Explorer 5+: Hold down the ALT key and select the number/letter of the access key, then press ENTER
- Internet Explorer 4: Hold down the ALT key and select the number/letter of the access key
- Internet Explorer 5+ for Mac: Hold down the CTRL key and select the number/letter of the access key
- Internet Explorer 4.5 for Mac: Access keys are not supported
- Netscape 6+: Hold down the ALT key and select the number/letter of the access key
- Netscape earlier versions: Access keys are not supported
- Mozilla: Hold down the ALT key and select the number/letter of the access key
- Opera: In sequence press SHIFT then ESC and then select the number/letter of the access key
All modern browsers allow some form of Access Key interaction, though the Opera Browser provides the higest (default) level of accessibility in that it uses single, sequential key strokes to activate the Access Key assignments. This enables users navigating with a pointing device, or those restricted to single key stroke interaction, to avoid difficult multiple/simultaneous key stroke combinations.
Do you notice the underlined letters on the navigation bar at the top of this page? If you are using MS Windows and Internet Explorer, try pressing "Alt" + "G" and then "Enter" to navigate to the Glossary page. But wait! Before you go, you can come back to this list from anywhere on the site by pressing "Alt" + "K" [enter]. So now, who needs a mouse? Keyboard navigation is fast and easy. Try it!