Assistive Technology/Applications

[Hogue Melanie]

We are a medium size public library that became aware after the first one or two website redesigns that we needed to:
 
1.  switch to a CSS based (primarily divs positioned with CSS) layout instead of tables; because screen readers mixed up the information by reading the layout table left to right and top to bottom. 
 
2. Also, screen readers read the material in the order that it appears in the code; so you should make sure the flow on information makes sense (since flow order of the divs positioned with CSS doesn't matter visually).
 
3. Another addition that helps dissabled patrons in the form of a time saver is a visually invisible anchor link (we put ours in tiny white text over a white background; but there are lots of ways to do it) that allows the familiar user to by pass the navigation menus and go directly to the content of a page.
 
4. Make submenus on additional pages available as an additional path to content in javascript pop-outs and the like - things are probably inactive for screen readers.
 
Melanie Amy Hogue
Manager of Online Resources & Reports
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library
423-757-5114

________________________________

From: Web technologies in libraries on behalf of Kim Lehn
Sent: Fri 11/25/2011 9:25 PM
To: WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Assistive Technology/Applications



Hello All,

I am interested in learning about your experiences are with assistive technologies,
specifically with regards to  library catalogs and websites.  How are patrons with
disabilities able to access your library catalogs and websites?

Thank you and I appreciate your responses!

Kim Lehn
MLS Student
Southern Connecticut State University

============================

To unsubscribe: http://bit.ly/web4lib

Web4Lib Web Site: http://web4lib.org/

2011-11-25



============================

To unsubscribe: http://bit.ly/web4lib

Web4Lib Web Site: http://web4lib.org/

2011-11-26
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listserv.nd.edu/pipermail/web4lib/attachments/20111126/2ce1352e/attachment.htm>