New 'Ultimate' Accessible Site Launches

(PRWEB) February 1, 2006

Webcredible today unveiled a re-designed version of their website (http://www.webcredible.co.uk), which they claim is one of the most accessible sites of its kind. “The new site goes way beyond the traditional guidelines most accessible websites attempt to follow,” says Jeff Smith, Webcredible’s lead developer on the new site. “It goes so far as to offer what we’d call the ultimate in accessibility.”

Web accessibility has become a mainstream topic across the Internet in recent years, primarily due to it being a legal requirement under the Disability Discrimination Act. Under the Act, websites must be made accessible to blind and disabled web users. A blind person may use a screen reader to read the content of the page aloud to them; someone with poor vision may use a screen magnifier to blow up the text size; a web user with dexterity issues may be unable to use a mouse.

“These users have very unique needs when surfing the web,” continues Mr Smith, “So we had to be very careful and diligent in ensuring that this diverse set of needs were met. Most web developers interested in accessibility tend to tick boxes next to guidelines. Although we have taken all relevant guidelines into account, we’ve also made a number of design considerations based on user research to go way beyond merely box ticking.”

Advanced accessibility techniques on the website include the use of hidden headings to help blind web users better orientate themselves, a larger than normal line spacing to aid web users with dyslexia or learning difficulties, highlighted links for keyboard-only users, and a visible font resizer. Although text can be resized through the browser, research conducted by Webcredible has shown that most people don’t know this functionality even exists.

The site also attempts to debunk common accessibility myths, namely that PDFs can’t be made accessible, JavaScript should be avoided and accessible sites are necessarily ugly. (JavaScript is a scripting language that many websites employ, but traditionally has been inaccessible to screen reader users.) By correctly structuring and tagging PDFs, and using JavaScript in an unobtrusive manner, both of these technologies can be used in an accessible manner.

“We’re incredibly proud of the new website,” says Webcredible Director, Trenton Moss. “Not only does it offer unparalleled accessibility, but it also looks good. I sincerely hope that more sites can follow, offering what we call the ultimate in accessibility whilst still looking good.”

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New 'Ultimate' Accessible Site Launches