Re: Accessibility Options

Julian,

>A sample site can be seen at http://www.sample.charityskills.net.
>
>The pages use XHTML (yes, there are some validation bugs that need to
>be resolved) and CSS, that degrades to present the content in a nice
>linear format for text readers.

I've only one comment about the site. The links at the left flow
out of their containing box, and over the body text. Better set
the width of this box to a value in EM units, to have it scale along
with the links.

>We have added a facility (via the "Accessibility Options" link) so that
>visitors can override some of the colours, font size and font face
>styles to suit their particular requirements.  The settings are
>automatically stored as a cookie so that they are available should they
>return to the original site or any of the other charity sites.

I find the 'Accessibility Options' a great idea, although I (and
most probably more people) have loaded their browser with a user
stylesheet that overrides all colour and fonts.

>1. Should the 'Accessibility Options' page be formatted using common
>accessibility styling - the BBC use large Yellow text on a black
>background?

For the people that are unable to use user stylesheets because they
either use a computer in a public place, at work, or any other
place that implements restriction on the settings, it would be handy
if this page is by default in a more than default font size, and using 
colours with high contrast (like the yellow on black.)

>2. Do you think we should add an option to display the page in the
>linear text only format, even though the user may be using a modern
>browser that will support the positioning?

Personally I don't think this is necessary, if a user really want
to have the page completely liniar, he could disable stylesheets
if he uses Netscape 4. But I doubt if anyone wants to do this.

>3. We are considering providing a facility so that the user can
>download their own custom style sheet based on the preferences they set
>and then provide them with instructions on how to use it in the
>browsers that support it - do you think this is worthwhile?

This would be more the thing of a site on helping people who don't
know CSS to 'compose' a user stylesheet.

Christian

Received on Wednesday, 13 November 2002 14:14:14 UTC