Making Websites Accessible
8 Where to get further help
There are a huge amount of resources available both on the World Wide Web and in book format offering information and guidance about building websites.
It would be impossible for SAIF to cover all the topics you may need to consider in this supplement. Equally, it is impossible to supply every link to every resource that might prove helpful to your organisation.
What we have tried to do in this section is offer a reasonable selection of links that will act as a gateway to other, more specific resources that you may find useful. In most cases this has been done by listing the web address for each resource.
As we have mentioned before, the World Wide Web is changing and developing at an incredible pace and we would welcome any feedback you have on these or other sites to inform future editions of this supplement.
|The Making Connections Unit|
MCU is a Scottish project set up to improve access to the web for disabled people. It provides information, guidance and discussion for anyone wishing to improve their website. Crucially, it provides links to a vast range of useful, current information on web accessibility.
Website: www.mcu.org.uk
|Web Accessibility Initiative|
WAI, in co-ordination with organisations around the world, pursues accessibility to the web through five primary areas of work: technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development. Their website offers a vast range of resources that will be helpful whether you are a complete novice or a technical wizard, including accessibility checkers like WAVE and Bobby.
Website: |www.w3.org/WAI|
|Royal National Institute for the Blind|
The RNIB have a range of very useful guidance notes as part of their See It Right Accessible Websites campaign. They contain lots of advice about building websites that do not exclude blind and visually impaired people.
Website: |www.rnib.org.uk/|
|The Disability Rights Commission|
Although it does not deal specifically with electronic communication, this site has a good links page containing contact details for lots of disability-focussed organisations. Particularly helpful if you are looking at the information needs of specific groups.
Website: |www.drc-gb.org|
Jargon-Busting
Understanding websites is a lot easier if you understand some of the most commonly used terms. We recommend you access a free online dictionary like those listed below. These give definitions in plain language for words, phrases and abbreviations that are related to computer and Internet technology.
Websites: |www.webopedia.com|
|www.whatis.com|
|The Web Standards Project|
The Web Standards Project aims to improve access to legal and advice information on the Internet. This is a joint programme between the London Advice Services Alliance and the Community Legal Service in England. However, it is relevant and useful for organisations in Scotland. The project aims to improve searching and access for visually impaired people, so that all users can more easily locate the information they need.
Website: |www.webstandards.org.uk|
|Philip and Alex's Guide to Web Publishing|
An online book offering advice and free tutorials for anyone trying to build and/or run a website in an accessible and efficient way. A useful source of support for staff.
Website: |www.arsdigita.com/books/panda/|
|Sucky to Savvy|
This is a web style guide written by Jeff Glover, a self-styled website expert. It contains a lot of useful dos and don’ts written in an amusing and accessible way. It also explains lots of technical Internet language in layman’s terms.
Website: |www.jeffglover.com|
|Scotconnect|
Scotconnect is a web consultancy and training organisation specialising in accessible websites. This site offers free tutorials on the full range of issues involved in building and maintaining effective websites.
Website: |www.scotconnect.com/|
|Scottish Enterprise E-Commerce Team |
This website contains lots of factsheets and other tools mainly aimed at the business sector but relevant to all organisations. Particularly useful topics covered include security, data protection and copyright.
Website:
|www.scottish-enterprise.com/ebusiness|
Books
Don’t Make Me Think! A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
Steve Krug, 2000.
ISBN 0789723107
Designing Web Usability. The Practice of Simplicity
Jakob Nielsen, 2000
ISBN 156205810X
Information Architecture for the World Wide Web
Louis Rosenfeld & Peter Morville, 1997
ISBN 1565922824
Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities
Michael Paciello, 2000
ISBN 1929629087
Constructing Accessible Web Sites
Jim Thatcher et al, 2002
ISBN 1904151000