Web 2003 Tutorial

Educational Equity

Description

LIFT for Dreamweaver An Accessibility Software Solution for Contemporary Web Design Mike Brahosky, Web Coordinator/Writer-Editor, Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity [e-mail] Permission to use and modify content, materials and resources provided by the Web 2003 Conference Tutorial: Accessibility Essentials for Contemporary Web Design, Copyright © 2003 Mike Brahosky, Linda Friend, Linda Klimczyk Last updated 6/30/03 Demonstration of LIFT LIFT is accessed from the top-level application menu system as an added extension within Dreamweaver. Fig. 1 Fig. 1 The Customized Guidelines panel is the beginning panel. This allows users to choose guidelines by which the other tools will evaluate the html files. A scroll down menu on the panel offers preset tests such as "section 508" and "W3C/WCAG." Users can also customize the tests to run, combining elements of the different test categories into a single function that will suit the needs of a given site development plan. Figure 2a illustrates this example by using customized guidelines titled “Ed Equity Guidelines”. Each test has a priority associated to it: Priority 1 = Very Important (represents major obstacle for some visitors of the web site) Priority 2 = Important (for some visitors it is an obstacle that can be overcome, but with difficulties) Priority 3 = Cosmetic Problem (by some visitors it can be noticed but ...

Informations

• Publié par: Fiom
• Nombre de lectures: 28
• Langue: English

Extrait

LIFT for Dreamweaver An Accessibility Software Solution for Contemporary Web Design

Mike Brahosky, Web Coordinator/WriterEditor, Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity [e-mail]

Permission to use and modify content, materials and resources provided by the Web 2003 Conference Tutorial: Accessibility Essentials for Contemporary Web Design, Copyright © 2003 Mike Brahosky, Linda Friend, Linda Klimczyk Last updated 6/30/03

Demonstration of LIFT LIFT is accessed from the toplevel application menu system as an added extension within Dreamweaver. Fig. 1

Fig. 1

TheCustomized Guidelines panelis the beginning panel.This allows users to choose guidelines by which the other tools will evaluate the html files. A scroll down menu on the panel offers preset tests such as "section 508" and "W3C/WCAG." Users can also customize the tests to run, combining elements of the different test categories into a single function that will suit the needs of a given site development plan.Figure 2a illustrates this example by using customized guidelines titled “Ed Equity Guidelines”.

Fig. 2b

Each test has a priority associated to it: Priority 1=Very Important (represents major obstacle for some visitors of the web site) Priority 2=Important(for some visitors it is an obstacle that can be overcome, but with difficulties) Priority 3=Cosmetic Problem(by some visitors it can be noticed but it does not affect their behavior) Priority 4=Not a problem(it is a comment or suggestion or an alternative solution)

 Fig. 2a

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The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity uses customized guidelines that utilize checkpoints from Section 508 and the W3C/WCAG.Web pages within the main OVPEE site are evaluated using these customized guidelines that are specific to it’s internal checkpoints for accessibility standards.For instance, if multimedia video or audio clips are not being incorporated into the site, these checkpoints can be ignored or turned off during the evaluation.An example of the OVPEE customized guidelines can be seen at the Educational Equity Approved icon with accompanying link at: http://www.equity.psu.edu/Disclosing that your web site is compliant with accessibility standards will inform users that you are committed to publishing accessible content, and publicly alerts others that they should make proper considerations as well.

Categories and CheckpointsThere are thirty categories that comprise the checkpoint evaluation tests that are specific to seven main default guidelines as shown in Figure 2b. Thenumber of guidelines will increase with the addition of new customized guidelines, as shown with the addition of the Ed Equity Guidelines.

Section 508 W3C/WCAG1.0 Table Tests Image Tests NNGBeyond Alt Text Equivalency Tests All Guidelines

TheCustomized Tests panelUsers can customize theis the next step in the process. NN/g tests to accommodate internal specifications by selecting a test, (Fig. 3a) and editing its individual features, (Fig. 3b).

Fig. 3aFig. 3b

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TheEvaluate panelThe Web Developeris similar to the Customized Tests window. has a choice of evaluating an entire site, a folder, a set of files or just one page.

After selecting theRun button, the resulting number of issues for the file being evaluated will appear to the right with information specific to each issue appearing below.

Tests adopted by LIFT are eitherautomaticrepresented by an“X”(meaning that LIFT can determine that they will generate an accessibility or usability problem) ormanual represented by an“?”(meaning that LIFT warns you that the pagemaygenerate a problem and thatyoushould determine if there is actually a problem).

Because accessibility and usability are complex concepts to assess (even for an experienced person), they typically require human intervention and judgment. LIFT can only highlightpotential problems. Ultimately, you must determine if the suggestion that LIFT offers is relevant to each individual case.

Further information specific to an issue is available when selecting the “Explain Issue” button on the bottom of the panel which initiates an integrated off line knowledge base.

 Fig 4a

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 Fig4b

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TheMonitor Panelis similar to the Evaluate Panel as the same interaction takes place for checking files with specific guidelines.As new pages are created this is a good tool to monitor and correct for accessibility. Clicking on an issue highlights the element in question. This panel is most useful from the beginning stages of web development and allows you to work on one html file at a time rather than the whole site.

 Fig. 5

TheReport panelenables Web Developers to generate reports for individual web pages or entire directories.See sample of report (Fig. 6b) based on information inserted in the Reports panel.

 Fig. 6a

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 Fig. 6b

TheApproval paneloffers three styles of approved UsableNet logos and instructions for inserting onto those web pages that have successfully passed the accessibility tests adhering to section 508 and W3C/WCAG 1.0. (Fig. 7)As you can customize your own set of guidelines, you can also create a logo that defines your internal approval process.

Fig. 7

Penn State Policy regarding customized approval logos Penn State University Director of Publications / University Relations Jeffrey T. Hermann, <[e-mail]> confirms it is acceptable to create an internal approval symbol that represents compliance to certain requirements of accessibility standards. Theuse of additional symbols such as the Bobby approval icon or the UsableNet icon is acceptable as these companies providea service to Penn State in providing compliance standards that are widely accepted.

Permission to use and modify content, materials and resources provided by the Web 2003 Conference Tutorial: Accessibility Essentials for Contemporary Web Design, Copyright © 2003 Mike Brahosky, Linda Friend, Linda Klimczyk Last updated 6/30/03

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LIFT System Requirements Windows •Macromedia’s Dreamweaver MX, Dreamweaver 4.0, UltraDev 4.0, •Intel Pentium Processor •Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP •64MB of available RAM (128 recommended) •20MB of available harddisk space •800x600, 256color display (1024x768, millions of colors recommended) Macintosh •Macromedia’s Dreamweaver MX, Dreamweaver 4.0, UltraDev 4.0 •Power Mac •Mac OS 8.6 or 9.1 or Mac OSX 10.1 •64MB of available RAM (128 recommended) •20MB of available harddisk space •800x600, 256color display (1024x768, millions of colors recommended)

Permission to use and modify content, materials and resources provided by the Web 2003 Conference Tutorial: Accessibility Essentials for Contemporary Web Design, Copyright © 2003 Mike Brahosky, Linda Friend, Linda Klimczyk Last updated 6/30/03

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