Remember When - Where We Have Been - and where we need to go when creating Accessible Web Sites

Where We Have Been -

--and where we need to go when creating Accessible Web Sites.

by Kathy Kosek

The purpose of this article is to point out where we have been in web design and where we need to go. With the aging population and the constant technological changes in today's society, now more than ever is the time to focus our priorities in developing accessible web sites.

Lately there has been a big emphasis on the Aging Baby Boomers and how they will affect trends in Finance, Healthcare, etc. However, just as important is how they will have a huge impact on technological developments.

We all would like to think that the constant changes in technology are for the good of mankind, but reality is that a lot of the changes are coming out of need. As the population ages, things cannot and will not stay the same.

Aging Population

Example, just 10 years ago, I could actually SEE. I had 20/20 vision. Heck today I can't even go into the grocery store without my glasses on. Sure wearing them I am able to hide some wrinkles, but more importantly I like to see the exact price of what I am buying, instead of what I think I might be seeing…well maybe not.

Along with seeing, I would also like to be able to HEAR the gazillion options we all have when we call our doctors, and or dentist offices. Actually I find just dialing "0" for operator without listening to all the options, a less frustrating solution however; even so, I am not alone in these situations, that more and more of us are finding ourselves in. It is more seemingly so that Convenience - Technology go hand in hand. Not necessarily in that order.

Realistically, all of us as we age will more than likely be faced with a disability of some sort, whether it is changes in eyesight, audio or other physical impairments. That with the fact that information via the internet and other technological devices use will increase in time, and not go away as some may wish. Hey, you are talking to someone who is thrilled with her Apple iPod, even though she thought she was all that back in the 60's with her pink portable battery-operated transistor radio. I admit it, I too am one to resist change, however once I make it, like the younger generation, I too wonder how I survived before these inventions.

Keeping the above in mind, I would like to point out to all the newbie's to web design and also to commiserate with the older folks, how the changes to web development has changed over the years, and will continue to change, as it should. With all the tools, software programs, and my personal favorite "Google It" it is much easier to create Web Accessible websites, and should always be kept in mind. Rest assure as the population ages, accessibility will continue to come to the forefront in web design, it will not go away.

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Website Accessibility/Usability: Left or Right Navigation

It's now 2010 and the question still remains... Which is the best navigation - top, left or right?

Past studies, advice from experts in the field, and discussions on forums are conflicting but it now appears that some who may have used the traditional left-side navigation module, have now converted their websites to right-side navigation.  Has right-hand side navigation become the norm?

Some things to keep in mind:

1.  Comformity -- whether you decide left or right, keep it consistent throughout your website.

2.  Sighted Users - Most (at least in N. America) read left to right. If its important that you want users to read your content (informational sites/blogs), put the content on the left and the navigation bars on the right.  If your site is an eCommerce or Corporate website, put the navigation on the left-hand side.  It will feel more traditional to look for navigation on the left, giving the user a quick overview and will also force users to browse over the links.   

3.  Screen Readers -- Unless a web developer utilizes a 'skip to main content' link, a screen reader user may have to tab through all the left side navigation links before getting to the content; reading the navigation first and then the body text.   Use good coding techniques and left-side navigation will not pose a problem.  Right-hand navigation allows the screen reader user to go directly to the content, especially if arriving there by using a search engine.

4.  Right-handed users -- having sidebars on the right may feel more “natural”.  It makes less travelling over a webpage, especially for high resolution monitors.

5.  SEO -- unless you are using structured coding (e.g., at least one H1 element is being used, etc.), you want the search engine to get to your data first; having the right-hand side navigation helps.

What are the advantages and disadvantages from an accessibility/usability standpoint?  You be the judge, lets take a poll...leave a comment!

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