Elements of Effective Webpage Design
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Accessibility

Accessibility      There are special needs users who access websites that a designer must take into consideration. This means designers must take care when using text, graphics, video, and audio. Without special care, the intended information and materials may be a complete waste to certain users.

     Here are a few starting tips for dealing with various media:

  • Text
    Make text headlines prominent. Use text that is to the point. Use fonts that are easy to read.

  • Graphics
    Within image tags, there is an attribute called 'alt.' Using the 'alt' attribute helps visually impaired users gain a text alternative to graphics.

  • Audio & Video
    Accompany audio and video with a transcript. This will help people who suffer from hearing impairments.

     The World Wide Web Consortium (2005) has much more information on accessibility.

[Next]

Lynch P. & Horton S. (2001) Web Style Guide: Basic Design Principles for Creating Web Sites. 2nd Edition. Yale University.

World Wide Web Consortium (2005) Web Accessibility Initiative. Online Resource Accessed on Jan. 19th, 2005 at: http://www.w3.org/WAI/.


© 2005 Mark Karadimos | Updated March 20th, 2005