WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: PDF Default Behavior

for

From: Waltenberger, Lon (LNI)
Date: Mar 18, 2009 4:10PM


I think it's best to go by convention, or what users see on 80% of the
sites they visit, and to not override default behavior because that's
what users are accustomed to.

Even though I agree with Nielsen about not opening new browser windows,
that argument didn't prevail in our design planning for our public site.

However, we do include file type, size, download time at 57K dialup plus
20% overhead for files over 400KB, and off-site information in links for
screen reader and other users who list links. We style that additional
info so it visually appears to not be part of the link.

This ensures that the links include vital information to screen reader
users when out of context.

Under the Claims & Insurance tab we also work very hard to ensure the
PDFs are accessible. It's impossible to have a 100% record but we're
close.

For example:
http://www.lni.wa.gov/ClaimsIns/Insurance/RatesRisk/Check/RatesHistory/d
efault.asp.

http://www.lni.wa.gov/ClaimsIns/Insurance/Learn/StateFund/Reports/Defaul
t.asp.

http://www.lni.wa.gov/ClaimsIns/Insurance/Learn/StateFund/RelatedInfo/De
fault.asp.