[Photo: Wall Street Journal]
Americans with disabilities have historically had difficulties finding and keeping jobs. However, there has been a spike the last few years in hiring people with disabilities, thanks to a tight job market with a low overall unemployment rate.
When thinking about the color scheme for web pages, developers and designers typically focus on what colors are the most visually appealing. Often times, developers have no control over what colors are used, and instead this decision is made by other members of the company who want to closely resemble brand colors. However, an important aspect to consider with relation to the website’s color scheme is, how much contrast does each color pairing have? Will all users find this content legible with the chosen colors?
Web browsers provide the primary interface by which we access the Internet, and the choice of which browser to use can be very personal and can significantly change your online experience for better or worse. Historically, screen reader users have been slower to adopt new web browsers. The reasons for this are numerous, but can include:
Early versions of newer web browsers generally provide less support for accessibility than their more developed alternatives.
Accessible360 periodically showcases a digital superuser with personal insights into the digital landscape and assistive technology. By getting to know them, we learn more about the importance of digital accessibility, borrow their knowledge, and gain insights into important personal preferences.
Interview with Hibak Would you tell us a little about yourself? I am a transfer student at Augsburg University What are a couple of your favorite websites or mobile apps?
Accessible360 periodically showcases a digital superuser with personal insights into the digital landscape and assistive technology. By getting to know them, we learn more about the importance of digital accessibility, borrow their knowledge, and gain insights into important personal preferences.
Interview with Axel Crosby What are a couple of your favorite websites or mobile apps? Why do you like them, and what, if anything, makes them particularly accessible? I like YouTube, VRV.
The hard work in any web accessibility project begins when you receive the results of the audit. Until you know the number and complexity of issues existing on your site, it is difficult to predict how many developers you will need and how long the project will take. Often, the web accessibility remediation occurs in tandem with other, normal website updates and improvements, or even in tandem with a total website redesign and development. More often than not, the remediation is not going to happen in a week, or even a month.
Accessible360 periodically showcases a digital superuser with personal insights into the digital landscape and assistive technology. By getting to know them, we learn more about the importance of digital accessibility, borrow their knowledge, and gain insights into important personal preferences.
Interview with Bob Cavanaugh Would you tell us a little about yourself? I am 24 years old and totally blind. I am a radio junkie, and I also like to go to trampoline parks and other stuff like that.
Most websites and apps are geared for business and productivity. However, there are a sizable number of websites and apps that are focused on entertainment and fun. It is just as important that these should also be accessible to all users.
Last week, we took a tour of the Assistive Technology (A.T.) Lab at the MN STAR Program, where people can try out and borrow a wide variety of A.T. We had a great time seeing and learning about new A.T.!
Many people take things for granted. For example, a sighted person can see a red line on a site or an app, but may not think about the fact that a blind user cannot see that red line. When designing apps and services to be accessible, it is important to ensure that the complete service is accessible, not simply the digital properties that comprise this service.
