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Building a quality Web site is like building a new home. Home builders rely on industry building standards. A Web site developer codes to W3C standards. Web site owners want to ensure that their Web site is built using industry standards and that it is open to business to everyone. The owner may be able to readily describe what is visible but may not necessarily be able to assess the Web site's structural sufficiency.
 
Download the PDF file... The idea behind the concept...'structural sufficiency'A home builder uses an architect's blueprint to build a home. The foundation is poured, the walls are framed in and the roof is put on. Wiring, plumbing, heating, ... the builder completes the project setting up a state-of-the-art home. Home buyers want to be sure that their home is built with quality products and to industry building code specifications. A building inspector, who is not an Engineer or a Registered Architect, can describe what is visible; however, the inspector would not be able to assess the home's structural sufficiency.
Web site owners want to ensure that their Web site is built using industry standards as well. And, that it is open to business to everyone. Although the owner may be able to readily describe what is visible he may not necessarily be able to assess his Web site's structural sufficiency. Automated Web site validation tools are available to anyone, but when a Web site claims conformance from only a tool, it can only mean that the page(s) passed all of the automatic tests. (The problem with automated accessibility testing tools) Web Accessibility Toolbar The Web Accessibility Toolbar helps web developers to better "examine the structure, components and accessibility features of any given web page. It installs as an Internet Explorer toolbar and offers several integrated tools to inspect style sheets, tables, frames, images and more, as well as a wide variety of tests and features that are provide by other web sites, including link checks, HTML validation, page download speed, color simulations, page resolutions and much more." -- Reference: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/AccessibilityToolbar.html A thorough inspection combines automated Web site validation tools with human judgment. That is where an expert Web accessibility and usability professional can help. "Web accessibility isn't brain science. It really isn't necessary to test your website on a variety of people with different disabilities (although the DRC are recommending you do). Web accessibility is all about following design standards and then adding in a few simple accessibility features. It's not just about disabled users being able to access your website - it's about everyone being able to access your website, including people using handheld devices, WebTV and in-car browsers. Any web developer with basic HTML and CSS design knowledge, and a bit of time on their hands, can easily learn and implement web accessibility." -- Published by: Webcredible - written by Trenton Moss -- http://www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources/web-accessibility/drc-blew-it.shtml |
