Computer News No. 106, Nov-Dec 2003

From the Webmaster - Please Support Barrier-Free Web Sites

The Computer Centre has occassionally received suggestions from users that some departmental notices posted as web pages are not user-friendly to users with visual impairment. We would like to ask all webmasters of departments to support setting up barrier-free web sites. We have the pleasure of the University's Equal Opportunity Unit contributing the following advice on how to set up web sites which are accessible to wider audiences.

Mabel Chau
Tel: 2859 8934
E-mail: chaumabc@cc.hku.hk

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Contribution from the University's Equal Opportunity Unit

Can persons with visual impairment surf freely on your website? Thanks to assistive softwares/tools, person with visual impairment can read websites. In fact, even blind people can read websites by using screen readers that convert texts on a website to speeches or Braille.

Making accessible websites can benefit persons with a disability and the website owners. This is because higher accessibility means more potential readers. It also helps to build corporate image and avoid complaints.

Besides, both the Disability Discrimination Ordinance and the University’s equal opportunity policy forbid disability discrimination. And providing an inaccessible website may be a kind of disability discrimination as it deprives persons with a disability of their right to know.

I therefore strongly encourage you to make your website accessible to persons with a disability.

It does not require additional softwares/tools to make websites accessible. Here are seven useful tips:

Add alt-text to graphics

Avoid using Flash animation as the front page

Avoid using different languages on the same page

Prepare notices in HTML or MS Word instead of PDF format

Use sharp colour contrast

Use consistent Page Layout

Avoid using pop up windows

You may test your website’s accessibility by using the Bobby Test at http://www.cast.org/bobby/.

Further information on web accessibility can be found at the website of the Equal Opportunity Unit at http://www.hku.hk/eounit/. Enquiries are also welcome. (email: eounit@hku.hk; tel. 2241 5115)

Equal Opportunity Unit