Accessibility
One of my main goals as a web designer is to build websites that are available to as much people as possible. We don't see color, religion and now those who can't actually see.
Accessibility and transforming the internet into a source of joy should be a top priority for anybody who's creating content for the web.
Accordingly all the websites I design and develop aim to be usable by people of all abilities and disabilities.
So how do I do this?
Apart from complying to best practice Web Standards and designing for modern web browser, it is always offered backwards compability with old browsers for those who once thought it was neat to stop upgrading their web browsers.
I jumped in the Progressive Enhancement movement and left the "Graceful Degradation" boat long ago, but commercial websites still have to comply with the needs of the clients.
From the design point of view, I always try to add contrast and readibility to text, always allowing users to zoom text for those with limited vision, going away from flashing elements and using a responsible display of color.
When using visual elements, alternative text is always offered, as well as those rare cases when sound is a part of the project for those with hearing impairments.
Developmentwise, my websites are built bearing in mind the eventual use of screen readers (like Jaws and Window Eyes) used by sight impaired users, developing specific code for those type of programs like skip-to-content buttons or accesskey feature, like the one I used on this website and whose table you can see on the right of this text.
Compliance
Every website is created aiming to be Section 508 approved, complying with the U.S. Federal Government Section 508 Guidelines.
I also comply with the Spanish UNE 139803 guidelines and the Swedish National Guidelines for Public Sector Websites.
I also aim to comply with the WAI and its recommendations WCAG 1.0 and WCAG 2.0.
Although the goal is to succesfully conform the three levels of priority, I tend to use common sense flexibility depending on the project's needs.
Accesskey Details
- M – Skip to navigation
- S – Skip to content
- 1 – Home
- 2 – Services
- 3 – Portfolio
- 4 – About
- 5 – Contact
- 6 – Process
- 7 – Accessibility
- 8 – Standards
- 9 – Site Map
- 0 – Access key details
