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RE: text-only version

for

From: John Foliot - WATS.ca
Date: Nov 10, 2003 10:18AM

might I also add that the "design" could use positioning via CSS to make
your link "appear" in the bottom for visual users, yet be coded as the first
piece of text/link to the text only version. Something that I have done in
the past is "hide" the link behind a logo or something... Most sites today
start with some kind of branding/logo element in the top left corner. using
CSS positioning, code the link, then "position" the graphic element
(absolutely) via CSS to sit on top of the link, effectively "hiding it" from
visual users, yet making it available as the very first text/link element.
Successfully used this for "skip nav" blocks as well... (see:
http://jimwitter.com/index2.php for this in action. Strip images, strip
CSS... or view in Lynx)

I agree with Julian though, write once and CSS is far easier/cost effective
than maintaining two versions. (Use the "cost effective" line on the suits
who don't "get it"... <grin>)

JF
--
John Foliot <EMAIL REMOVED>
Web Accessibility Specialist / Co-founder of WATS.ca
Web Accessibility Testing and Services
http://www.wats.ca 1.866.932.4878 (North America)




> -----Original Message-----
> From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
> [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
> Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 11:37 AM
> To: <EMAIL REMOVED>
> Subject: RE: text-only version
>
>
> 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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> > visit http://www.webaim.org/discussion/
> >
>
>
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>
>
>



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