[WEB4LIB] Web design frames and screen reader

[Michael Shochet]

As for an example of a web design using frames that meets the requirements, you might want to look at the Accessible University website.  They have a lot of good information on making web sites accessible, including a frame based tutorial at http://www.washington.edu/accessit/AU/tutorial/frames.html.  

Since the site is promoting accesibility, I assume the frames meet the 508 and WC3 requirements, but I did not specifically check the code to make sure.

Michael Shochet
Systems/Reference Librarian
Langsdale Library, University of Baltimore
http://langsdale.ubalt.edu/
mshochet at ubalt.edu
410-837-4277


-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Junus, Ranti
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 1:01 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Web design frames and screen reader


All,

Besides the usual "frame is evil" response, I wonder if any of you aware of formal reports about accessibility issues on using frames in  web design?  My own search gave me nothing. 

Section 508 indicates that frames can be accessible (by a screen reader) as long as it's titled with text to identify the frame and assist in navigating the frames.  W3C provides documentation/checkpoints on how to make frames more accessible.  With that info, any of you aware of any web design that meets the requirements? 

In case any of you wondering:
1.  No, I don't plan to create frames for our website.  I need the information to formally justify *not* to use frames.
2. Yes, I know that we can utilize CSS to create frame-like design.


thanks in advance,
ranti.

--
Ranti Junus - Systems
 100 Main Library W441
 Michigan State University
 East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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