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RE: text-only version

for

From: julian.rickards@ndm.gov.on.ca
Date: Nov 10, 2003 9:46AM

I think that if you need a text-only version, the link should be provided at
the top, not at the bottom - by the time the people who need the text-only
version get down to the bottom, they have probably left the page, if not the
site.

However, it is my opinion that there are rare instances where text-only is
necessary - with proper markup, virtually all pages can be made accessible.

---------------------------------------------------------
Julian Rickards
Digital Publications Distribution Coordinator
Publications Services Section
Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
Phone: (705) 670-5608
Fax: (705) 670-5690


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cheryl Kirkpatrick [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
> Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 11:11 AM
> To: WebAim Discussion
> Subject: text-only version
>
>
> I normally recommend that if a text-only version of a Web site is
> provided, the link should be in the upper left-hand portion of the
> graphics version. A couple of years ago, this was recommended
> to me by a
> blind user who pointed out that this would make the link be the first
> encountered by his screen reader. That seems logical. I recognize that
> screen readers have improved during the last couple of years
> and wonder
> if it is still true that the text-only link should be in the upper
> left-hand corner.
>
> I recently worked with a library whose Web designer wanted to provide
> the link at the bottom of the page because she thought it was visually
> more appealing at the bottom. We decided to have a hidden link (white
> font on white background) at the top with a visible link at
> the bottom.
>
> Of course, I always point out that:
> A "text-only" version does not equal "accessible";
> Section 508 allows a text-only version "when compliance cannot be
> accomplished in any other way";
> Must be updated whenever the graphics version is updated
>
> I don't want to make out-of-date recommendations, so does it matter
> where the link to a text-only version is placed?
>
> Thanks!
>
> --
> Cheryl Kirkpatrick
> Web Administrator
> South Carolina State Library
> http://www.state.sc.us/scsl/
> Telephone: 803.734.5831
>
>
>
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