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Thread: Accessible Art Web site

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Number of posts in this thread: 4 (In chronological order)

From: Adam Alonzo
Date: Tue, Dec 18 2001 3:11PM
Subject: Accessible Art Web site
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Dear List Members,

I'd like to introduce Access Art, a new Web site produced by The
Dayton Art Institute in collaboration with Wright State University.
Though it includes a great deal of visual and aural content, it was
designed to be as accessible as possible to everyone. A summary of
its accessibility features is included below.

I encourage you to visit the site at:

http://tours.daytonartinstitute.org/accessart/

Please feel free to contact me with suggestions on ways to improve
the accessibility of the site. You can respond to me directly at:

= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =

Please note that Access Art is a new addition to the Art Institute's
overall Web site, and that the general site does not yet conform to
the same accessibility standards.

I look forward to your feedback,

Adam Alonzo
Accessible Arts! Coordinator
Office of Disability Services
Wright State University
3640 Colonel Glenn Highway
Dayton, Ohio 45435-0001
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
(937) 775-5806

ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES OF ACCESS ART

From its initial planning stages, Access Art was designed to be as
accessible as possible to everyone, particularly people with
disabilities using adaptive computer equipment. This commitment to
accessibility has been implemented throughout the site in many ways,
some obvious and some subtle. This section contains details about these
accessibility features in order to provide guidelines for other museum
Web sites to follow.

Accessibility Standards
Access Art was developed using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
as its standard for accessible design. These guidelines are provided by
the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium.

Image Alternatives
All images within Access Art are accompanied by a brief text phrase that
serves as an alternative for visitors who cannot see the image. This is
suitable for logos, icons and other simple graphics.

Image Descriptions
In addition to the brief text alternatives for simple graphics, all
works of art are accompanied by a lengthy text paragraph that describes
the appearance of the object for visitors who cannot see it. Also, all
icons and graphics used within Access Art are described on the Graphic
Descriptions page.

Keyboard Access
Access Art is designed to be fully accessible to individuals who use a
keyboard or similar device instead of a mouse. The EyeSpy image
enlargement system allows visitors to view works of art in detail
without having to use a mouse.

Text Transcripts
There are many audio segments included in Access Art, so text
transcripts are provided for the benefit of those who cannot hear the
recordings.

Cascading Style Sheets
Certain design elements of this site, such as text size and color, are
implemented with Cascading Style Sheets, a flexible system that can be
changed by users to make text easier to read.

Language Specification
While the primary language of Access Art is English, there are many
instances of other languages throughout the site. For the benefit of
those using screen readers to vocalize the Web pages to them, such
changes in language are clearly identified.

Hyperlink Text and Titles
Hyperlinks within Access Art avoid ambiguous phrases such as "Click
Here," and they include embedded titles to further amplify their
purpose.

Navigation Menus
Access Art provides a dynamic menu at the top of each page that makes
navigation easier and informs users of their position within the site.
It also includes a "hidden" link that allows people using adaptive
equipment to skip the navigation menu and move to the main content of
the page.

Table Layout and Markup
While tables are used for layout on this site, they are never used to
place sections of text side by side, avoiding potential problems for
visitors using screen readers. Also, tables use embedded titles and
summaries to explain their purpose and layout.

JavaScript Alternative
There is only one usage of JavaScript within Access Art, and it is
accompanied by a script-free alternative for visitors whose Web browsers
do not support JavaScript.

Accessibility Testing
The design of Access Art was evaluated using alternative browsers,
adaptive technology and accessibility testing tools such as Bobby, an
online service provided by CAST.

Accessibility Review
The accessibility of Access Art was also tested by a panel of advisors
with a variety of disabilities, and by experts in the field of Web
accessibility.


-

From: Michael Goddard
Date: Tue, Dec 18 2001 3:20PM
Subject: Re: Accessible Art Web site
← Previous message | Next message →


HI Adam,

This is Michael Goddard. Did not know you were subscribed to the same list!
You will receive some excellent feedback from this list I am sure.

Sorry I was unable to attend the presentation.

Michael

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Adam Alonzo" < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
To: < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2001 4:03 PM
Subject: Accessible Art Web site


>
> Dear List Members,
>
> I'd like to introduce Access Art, a new Web site produced by The
> Dayton Art Institute in collaboration with Wright State University.
> Though it includes a great deal of visual and aural content, it was
> designed to be as accessible as possible to everyone. A summary of
> its accessibility features is included below.
>
> I encourage you to visit the site at:
>
> http://tours.daytonartinstitute.org/accessart/
>
> Please feel free to contact me with suggestions on ways to improve
> the accessibility of the site. You can respond to me directly at:
>
> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>
> Please note that Access Art is a new addition to the Art Institute's
> overall Web site, and that the general site does not yet conform to
> the same accessibility standards.
>
> I look forward to your feedback,
>
> Adam Alonzo
> Accessible Arts! Coordinator
> Office of Disability Services
> Wright State University
> 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway
> Dayton, Ohio 45435-0001
> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> (937) 775-5806
>
> ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES OF ACCESS ART
>
> From its initial planning stages, Access Art was designed to be as
> accessible as possible to everyone, particularly people with
> disabilities using adaptive computer equipment. This commitment to
> accessibility has been implemented throughout the site in many ways,
> some obvious and some subtle. This section contains details about these
> accessibility features in order to provide guidelines for other museum
> Web sites to follow.
>
> Accessibility Standards
> Access Art was developed using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
> as its standard for accessible design. These guidelines are provided by
> the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium.
>
> Image Alternatives
> All images within Access Art are accompanied by a brief text phrase that
> serves as an alternative for visitors who cannot see the image. This is
> suitable for logos, icons and other simple graphics.
>
> Image Descriptions
> In addition to the brief text alternatives for simple graphics, all
> works of art are accompanied by a lengthy text paragraph that describes
> the appearance of the object for visitors who cannot see it. Also, all
> icons and graphics used within Access Art are described on the Graphic
> Descriptions page.
>
> Keyboard Access
> Access Art is designed to be fully accessible to individuals who use a
> keyboard or similar device instead of a mouse. The EyeSpy image
> enlargement system allows visitors to view works of art in detail
> without having to use a mouse.
>
> Text Transcripts
> There are many audio segments included in Access Art, so text
> transcripts are provided for the benefit of those who cannot hear the
> recordings.
>
> Cascading Style Sheets
> Certain design elements of this site, such as text size and color, are
> implemented with Cascading Style Sheets, a flexible system that can be
> changed by users to make text easier to read.
>
> Language Specification
> While the primary language of Access Art is English, there are many
> instances of other languages throughout the site. For the benefit of
> those using screen readers to vocalize the Web pages to them, such
> changes in language are clearly identified.
>
> Hyperlink Text and Titles
> Hyperlinks within Access Art avoid ambiguous phrases such as "Click
> Here," and they include embedded titles to further amplify their
> purpose.
>
> Navigation Menus
> Access Art provides a dynamic menu at the top of each page that makes
> navigation easier and informs users of their position within the site.
> It also includes a "hidden" link that allows people using adaptive
> equipment to skip the navigation menu and move to the main content of
> the page.
>
> Table Layout and Markup
> While tables are used for layout on this site, they are never used to
> place sections of text side by side, avoiding potential problems for
> visitors using screen readers. Also, tables use embedded titles and
> summaries to explain their purpose and layout.
>
> JavaScript Alternative
> There is only one usage of JavaScript within Access Art, and it is
> accompanied by a script-free alternative for visitors whose Web browsers
> do not support JavaScript.
>
> Accessibility Testing
> The design of Access Art was evaluated using alternative browsers,
> adaptive technology and accessibility testing tools such as Bobby, an
> online service provided by CAST.
>
> Accessibility Review
> The accessibility of Access Art was also tested by a panel of advisors
> with a variety of disabilities, and by experts in the field of Web
> accessibility.
>
>
> ---
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or view list archives,
> visit http://www.webaim.org/discussion/
>
>
>




-

From: Carol Foster
Date: Tue, Dec 18 2001 3:54PM
Subject: Re: Accessible Art Web site
← Previous message | Next message →


Adam,

I just took a quick look at a few pages, and they look great! I especially
like the various descriptions of the artwork in context, etc.

My only minor suggestion/question is the following (and I would be
interested to hear others' opinions):

There are a number of places where there is an image associated with a link
or title, where the alt text simply repeats the text of the link or title,
for example the ACCESSIBILITY, CREDITS and CONTACT links at the bottom of
http://tours.daytonartinstitute.org/accessart/ . I wonder if it might not
be repetitive to a screen reader user? Taking the view that these images
add something only for sighted readers who download images, would it be
better to use null alt text for these? Or would that violate some
recommendation?

Best wishes,
Carol

Adam Alonzo wrote:

> Dear List Members,
>
> I'd like to introduce Access Art, a new Web site produced by The
> Dayton Art Institute in collaboration with Wright State University.
> Though it includes a great deal of visual and aural content, it was
> designed to be as accessible as possible to everyone. A summary of
> its accessibility features is included below.
>
> I encourage you to visit the site at:
>
> http://tours.daytonartinstitute.org/accessart/
>
> Please feel free to contact me with suggestions on ways to improve
> the accessibility of the site. You can respond to me directly at:
>
> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>
> Please note that Access Art is a new addition to the Art Institute's
> overall Web site, and that the general site does not yet conform to
> the same accessibility standards.



-

From: Holly Marie
Date: Tue, Dec 18 2001 4:01PM
Subject: Re: Accessible Art Web site
← Previous message | No next message


Is this site and message ok to share with other designers who are
wondering how one makes an art site accessible or more accessible?

And on another note may I share this message with a professor who
teaches Marketing on the Internet and Ecommerce and is also Blind?

Thanks,
Holly
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Adam Alonzo" < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
To: < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2001 3:03 PM
Subject: Accessible Art Web site


>
> Dear List Members,
>
> I'd like to introduce Access Art, a new Web site produced by The
> Dayton Art Institute in collaboration with Wright State University.
> Though it includes a great deal of visual and aural content, it was
> designed to be as accessible as possible to everyone. A summary of
> its accessibility features is included below.
>
> I encourage you to visit the site at:
>
> http://tours.daytonartinstitute.org/accessart/
>
> Please feel free to contact me with suggestions on ways to improve
> the accessibility of the site. You can respond to me directly at:
>
> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>
> Please note that Access Art is a new addition to the Art Institute's
> overall Web site, and that the general site does not yet conform to
> the same accessibility standards.
>
> I look forward to your feedback,
>
> Adam Alonzo
> Accessible Arts! Coordinator
> Office of Disability Services
> Wright State University
> 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway
> Dayton, Ohio 45435-0001
> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> (937) 775-5806
>
> ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES OF ACCESS ART
>
> From its initial planning stages, Access Art was designed to be as
> accessible as possible to everyone, particularly people with
> disabilities using adaptive computer equipment. This commitment to
> accessibility has been implemented throughout the site in many ways,
> some obvious and some subtle. This section contains details about
these
> accessibility features in order to provide guidelines for other museum
> Web sites to follow.
>
> Accessibility Standards
> Access Art was developed using the Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines
> as its standard for accessible design. These guidelines are provided
by
> the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium.
>
> Image Alternatives
> All images within Access Art are accompanied by a brief text phrase
that
> serves as an alternative for visitors who cannot see the image. This
is
> suitable for logos, icons and other simple graphics.
>
> Image Descriptions
> In addition to the brief text alternatives for simple graphics, all
> works of art are accompanied by a lengthy text paragraph that
describes
> the appearance of the object for visitors who cannot see it. Also, all
> icons and graphics used within Access Art are described on the Graphic
> Descriptions page.
>
> Keyboard Access
> Access Art is designed to be fully accessible to individuals who use a
> keyboard or similar device instead of a mouse. The EyeSpy image
> enlargement system allows visitors to view works of art in detail
> without having to use a mouse.
>
> Text Transcripts
> There are many audio segments included in Access Art, so text
> transcripts are provided for the benefit of those who cannot hear the
> recordings.
>
> Cascading Style Sheets
> Certain design elements of this site, such as text size and color, are
> implemented with Cascading Style Sheets, a flexible system that can be
> changed by users to make text easier to read.
>
> Language Specification
> While the primary language of Access Art is English, there are many
> instances of other languages throughout the site. For the benefit of
> those using screen readers to vocalize the Web pages to them, such
> changes in language are clearly identified.
>
> Hyperlink Text and Titles
> Hyperlinks within Access Art avoid ambiguous phrases such as "Click
> Here," and they include embedded titles to further amplify their
> purpose.
>
> Navigation Menus
> Access Art provides a dynamic menu at the top of each page that makes
> navigation easier and informs users of their position within the site.
> It also includes a "hidden" link that allows people using adaptive
> equipment to skip the navigation menu and move to the main content of
> the page.
>
> Table Layout and Markup
> While tables are used for layout on this site, they are never used to
> place sections of text side by side, avoiding potential problems for
> visitors using screen readers. Also, tables use embedded titles and
> summaries to explain their purpose and layout.
>
> JavaScript Alternative
> There is only one usage of JavaScript within Access Art, and it is
> accompanied by a script-free alternative for visitors whose Web
browsers
> do not support JavaScript.
>
> Accessibility Testing
> The design of Access Art was evaluated using alternative browsers,
> adaptive technology and accessibility testing tools such as Bobby, an
> online service provided by CAST.
>
> Accessibility Review
> The accessibility of Access Art was also tested by a panel of advisors
> with a variety of disabilities, and by experts in the field of Web
> accessibility.
>
>
> ---
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or view list archives,
> visit http://www.webaim.org/discussion/
>
>




-