Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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accessible mobile web site (self.Blind)
submitted by ilprof
Hello,
​
I am working on a museum layout where there are a few panels that we want to be accessible to blind people with their smartphones.
We are using nfc tags and we plan to make them redirect the users to an audio file. The thing is now we want also to provide audio in two languages, and I am not sure how to do it. I am thinking I may just point their browsers to a page with two links, but I am not sure how this page should be done, if there is any standard or indication on how to be sure that is accessible. I know there is a whole huge standard for accessibility but for this task I only need a couple of links so I am looking for a quick and dirty solution, just have to work.
​
Thanks
​
I am working on a museum layout where there are a few panels that we want to be accessible to blind people with their smartphones.
We are using nfc tags and we plan to make them redirect the users to an audio file. The thing is now we want also to provide audio in two languages, and I am not sure how to do it. I am thinking I may just point their browsers to a page with two links, but I am not sure how this page should be done, if there is any standard or indication on how to be sure that is accessible. I know there is a whole huge standard for accessibility but for this task I only need a couple of links so I am looking for a quick and dirty solution, just have to work.
​
Thanks
Marconius 4 points 4y ago
Nothing too hard here. Use proper semantic structure with headings, use HTML 5 with correct role and landmark attributes set for the sections, title your page, and above all else, label the links you'll be providing. Label them clearly, be concise, and it doesn't have to be anything fancy, just a simple anchor link, perhaps with a Title attribute that explains where the link goes if necessary. Alternatively, you could use the audio html element. That by itself is inherently accessible and you can point it to the audio files, just be sure to put a heading element in there to make it easier for users to know what the file is. Screen readers will be able to play the media right from the page with accessible controls and you don't have to do much else other than some basic CSS styling and positioning.
JaymeJammer 2 points 4y ago
In case you missed the point, you don't have to redirect to an audio file, the assistive technology being used by your audience of people who are blind will convert properly structured HTML5 into audio- so you don't have to worry about making audio files! Yay!
ilprof [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Interesting, thanks. Can I just redirect to a simple text or there is a standard way to structure the page?
JaymeJammer 2 points 4y ago
Sorry for the delay, I've been traveling.
You don't need to create any additional page or content, just create one page that is structured with the essential elements for access. The WCAG 2.0 details everything you need ($1) in detail, but in a nutshell:
* Make sure all your text content is semantically styled with headings and appropriate markup for valid HTML.
* Images and other non-textual content needs to have a textual description - images get alt text, videos get captions, charts get explanations, etc.
* Interactive elements and controls need to be keyboard controllable- anything that only works with a mouse is probably not accessible.
* Form fields need to have labels.
* If you use dynamic content or modals, ensure there are no keyboard traps where a user gets stuck in a menu or content piece that can not be exited or bypassed via the keyboard.
​
The idea is you only create one webpage, and you follow the basic rules for accessibility so you only have to maintain one page- and the users all get the same content. No second class citizens, no "extra" work for accessibility- just properly structured content, and the technology does the heavy lifting for you.
​
It might be a little overwhelming at first, but the payoff is similar to using CSS instead of manually styling every element. Let the technology do what it was designed to do- you just need to coordinate the info into the proper (accessible) format.
A very helpful site for web accessibility is WebAIM- they are a non-profit dedicated to making the web accessible, and they provide a lot of free tutorials and a great community: $1.
​
Hope this helps, and good luck!
You don't need to create any additional page or content, just create one page that is structured with the essential elements for access. The WCAG 2.0 details everything you need ($1) in detail, but in a nutshell:
* Make sure all your text content is semantically styled with headings and appropriate markup for valid HTML.
* Images and other non-textual content needs to have a textual description - images get alt text, videos get captions, charts get explanations, etc.
* Interactive elements and controls need to be keyboard controllable- anything that only works with a mouse is probably not accessible.
* Form fields need to have labels.
* If you use dynamic content or modals, ensure there are no keyboard traps where a user gets stuck in a menu or content piece that can not be exited or bypassed via the keyboard.
​
The idea is you only create one webpage, and you follow the basic rules for accessibility so you only have to maintain one page- and the users all get the same content. No second class citizens, no "extra" work for accessibility- just properly structured content, and the technology does the heavy lifting for you.
​
It might be a little overwhelming at first, but the payoff is similar to using CSS instead of manually styling every element. Let the technology do what it was designed to do- you just need to coordinate the info into the proper (accessible) format.
A very helpful site for web accessibility is WebAIM- they are a non-profit dedicated to making the web accessible, and they provide a lot of free tutorials and a great community: $1.
​
Hope this helps, and good luck!
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