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Re: How many people switch off javascript?

for

From: Chris Heilmann
Date: Aug 31, 2004 4:23AM

The point is that one person that cannot have javascript is enough to be a
discriminated person.

"Switching off" javascript is not the problem, it is the non-availiability
of Javascript (textbrowsers, proxies filtering out javascript in safe
environments(banks)).

A "whizbang" javascript Navigation is possible to fall back onto a nested
list of links when it is scripted properly. You can use a javascript
navigation, if it applies itself only after checking that javascript is
available.

But Javascript foldout navigations also have a lot more drawbacks, as
explained here:
http://www.icant.co.uk/forreview/dynamicelements/

As to the holy war about text-only versions: they are useless, represent
double maintenance and simply show that your main site has bad markup.
They are the equivalent of 100 ramps to reach the top floor because your
lift is not wide enough for a wheelchair.


HTH

Chris

> Hi,
>
> One of our clients has requested a text-only version of his website so
> that
> he can avoid thinking about accessibility on his main site. I'm trying to
> put together a list of arguments against this as I completely disagree
> with
> the whole notion of building a flat and lifeless alternative because you
> want to have a whizzy menu etc. on the main one. I know that the idea of
> text-only is unpopular among people here as I've seen a lot of outrage
> whenever it is mentioned.
>
> One of my arguments is to be the number of people who switch off
> javascript
> when they view sites, thus making the use of javascript as a navigation
> tool unreliable. I believe this number is quite high, and is far from
> restricted to people with disabilities, but was wondering if there was a
> resource anyone knew of where I could find a statistic?
>
> Thanks
>
> Victoria
> -----------------------------------------------------
> Victoria Hamill
> NetInfo
> Phone: (44) 1628-687863
> Email: <EMAIL REMOVED>
> URL: http://www.netinfo.com
> - More than meets the eye
>
> ----
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>


--
Chris Heilmann
The mighty pen: http://icant.co.uk/
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