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Feedback request - online discussion forum

for

From: Jared Smith
Date: Nov 10, 2004 1:22PM

I'm in the process of accessifying a Web-based, commercial discussion
forum application and would like some feedback. The forum can be found
at http://ncdae.org/forum/

If you'd like to log in and test, use the usernames of test, test1,
test2, or test3. The password is user. Or, you can create your own
username.

Here are my requirements:
- The forum must be full featured, meaning it looks and functions like
other commercial forum applications. Graphics, colors, smiley icons,
posting of images, subscribing to threads, etc. must be included.
- It must be moderately accessible, but not at the cost of sacrificing
all of the above functionality.
- There is an initial orientation to such applications that ALL users
must experience. I hope to write a tutorial describing the main
functions and layout, etc. At this time, comments like "the concept of
threaded forums are too difficult for blind users" will not be
considered.

What I've done so far:
- Modified templates to be HTML compliant. The code is not pretty
(lots of nested tables), but it is compliant.
- Added form labels to all (I think) forms.
- Identified table headers for appropriate tables.
- Added an option to skip navigation.
- Added alternative text to all images, except those embedded within
messages.
- Stripped out extraneous information and functionality that is not
vital.
- Removed javascript redirects for pull-down menus.
- Reworked the CSS to allow scalable text and scalable page widths.

Things I'm working on and aware of:
- The navigation elements may be confusing. I'm trying to find a way
to give quick access to various topics and access to specific portions
of the page. Ideas are welcome.
- Javascript is required for the application to function. Period.
- Popups are used in a few places. Without some pretty major reworking
of backend code, the pop-ups will probably stay. What are your
thoughts on this.

Any other comments or recommendations you have would be appreciated. I
believe there is a real need for accessible discussion forums that are
also full-featured. I'm trying to find a nice balance between
usability/accessibility and functionality/bells-and-whistles.

Jared Smith
WebAIM (Web Accessibility In Mind)
Center for Persons with Disabilities
Utah State University