tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89471979627544049632012-05-16T16:59:26.306-07:00Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125WatapBloghttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-80851594767866074052012-05-01T09:01:00.000-07:002012-05-01T09:01:00.902-07:002012-05-01T09:01:00.902-07:00

Consistency is important for web site accessibility and usability. WCAG 2.0 Success Criterion 3.2.3 (Level AA) requires that navigation elements that are repeated on web pages do not change order across pages. Success Criterion 3.2.4 (Level AA) requires that elements that have the same functionality across multiple web pages be consistently identified. For example, a search box at the top

Ryan, WATAP Internhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732961803514795408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-87890794081558757262012-04-25T08:58:00.000-07:002012-04-25T08:58:00.362-07:002012-04-25T08:58:00.362-07:00

Some mouse users have may have difficulty with fine motor control, so it is important that clickable targets be sufficiently large. Radio buttons and checkboxes should include properly-associated labels (using the element). Small icons or text, such as previous/next arrows or superscript links for footnotes, should be sufficiently large or combined with adjacent text into a single link.

Ryan, WATAP Internhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732961803514795408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-6225715652439964622012-04-24T10:46:00.003-07:002012-04-24T10:46:39.716-07:002012-04-24T10:46:39.716-07:00

Spring has sprung, and even though the weather may not seem cooperative, it's time to start thinking about planning your vegetable garden and dusting off the lawn chairs for those summer barbecues. The webinar will show you high tech gadgets and low tech tools to make planting, pruning, potting, and grilling a breeze for folks with a range of functional needs and abilities. Register now and

Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-44027204857231198592012-04-17T08:55:00.000-07:002012-04-17T08:55:00.204-07:002012-04-17T08:55:00.204-07:00

One of the keys to creating highly accessible forms is to avoid as many errors as possible before the form is submitted. Ensure that forms are as simple and intuitive as possible, and don't require that a field be filled out if the content is not necessary (e.g., a telephone number to subscribe to an email discussion list). Errors can also be prevented by allowing informatoin to be entered

Ryan, WATAP Internhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732961803514795408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-54934913946591568182012-04-10T08:51:00.000-07:002012-04-10T08:51:00.199-07:002012-04-10T08:51:00.199-07:00

Instead of conducting accessibility testing with users with disabilities (asking users to identify accessibility issues), it is almost always more effective to do usability testing (asking users to evaluate overall usability) with users with disabilities. While accessibility testing can be used to identify instances of accessibility – poor alt text here and a missing label there, fixing all

Ryan, WATAP Internhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732961803514795408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-54924718290465181142012-04-06T08:48:00.000-07:002012-04-06T08:48:00.526-07:002012-04-06T08:48:00.526-07:00

It is always a good idea to make content as readable and understandable as is suitable for the audience. For complex content (defined as that which requires a reading ability more advanced than the lower secondary education level), WCAG 2.0 Success Criterion 3.1.5 (Level AAA) requires that a more simplified and readable version of the content be provided. Much content cannot be made perfectly

Ryan, WATAP Internhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732961803514795408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-87481358735347762192012-04-03T08:49:00.000-07:002012-04-03T08:49:00.290-07:002012-04-03T08:49:00.290-07:00

It is a good idea to inform users when a link goes to non-HTML content (such as a PDF file or Word document). It can be frustrating to activate a link and then realize that the link requires an external program or viewer. An icon (with appropriate alternative text) or text, such as "(PDF)", is sufficient. Because screen reader users commonly navigate by links, it is vital that the link type

Ryan, WATAP Internhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732961803514795408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-4313024174627818322012-03-26T08:47:00.000-07:002012-03-26T08:47:00.608-07:002012-03-26T08:47:00.608-07:00

Keep the following guidelines in mind for displaying text: Avoid very small text. This not only impacts some users with low vision, but many users with cognitive disabilities as well. While serif fonts (e.g., Times) are more readable when printed, both serif and sans-serif fonts are appropriate when displaying body text onscreen, as long as the font is clean and readable. Underlined text

Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-3854064366382521902012-03-20T15:54:00.001-07:002012-03-20T15:54:19.871-07:002012-03-20T15:54:19.871-07:00

Financial Fitness Day is sponsored by the Seattle King County Asset Building Collaborative. Our partners at the Washington Access Fund is a member of the collaborative and a partner in this exciting event! So come join them on March 31st from 10:00am to 2:00pm at Rainier Community Center in Seattle  Whether you want to open a personal account with a bank or credit union, talk to a financial

Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-74531430553782792132012-03-20T08:45:00.000-07:002012-03-20T08:45:00.570-07:002012-03-20T08:45:00.570-07:00

True text has several advantages over graphical text and should be used whenever possible. True text is easier to read, especially if it is enlarged. The user can more easily customize the appearance of the text to make it more readable (changing color, size, font, etc.). File size is typically smaller for true text and it can be translated into other languages. WCAG 2.0 Level AA requires

Ryan, WATAP Internhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732961803514795408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-26929855831693361962012-03-12T10:00:00.000-07:002012-03-12T10:00:04.307-07:002012-03-12T10:00:04.307-07:00

To activate links on a page, users of voice control software, such as Dragon NaturallySpeaking, speak the visible link text. When an image is linked, the alternative text of that image can be spoken to activate that link. When an image presents graphical text, the alternative text of the image should match the visible text to ensure voice control software users can easily activate that link.

Ryan, WATAP Internhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732961803514795408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-37142576599923627312012-03-06T10:00:00.000-08:002012-03-06T10:00:00.198-08:002012-03-06T10:00:00.198-08:00

When evaluating the alternative text of images, remember that the alternative text (whether in the image's alt attribute or in adjacent text) should convey the content and function of an image. Asking the question, "If the image could not be used, what text would replace the image?" is often a good way to determine appropriate alternative text. First, view the alternative text along with the

Ryan, WATAP Internhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732961803514795408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-65892762020802273082012-03-01T11:14:00.000-08:002012-03-01T11:14:07.795-08:002012-03-01T11:14:07.795-08:00

Free strobe smoke alarm The Seattle Fire Department is providing and installing Gentex strobe smoke alarms that plug into an outlet. There is no cost for the smoke alarm or installation. A working smoke alarm is known to reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 50%. The Seattle Fire Department is requesting your assistance in getting the word out to help make Seattle residents who are deaf

Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-43281253050041957612012-02-27T14:05:00.000-08:002012-02-27T14:05:00.638-08:002012-02-27T14:05:00.638-08:00

WAVE is a free web accessibility evaluation tool found at http://wave.webaim.org/. Rather than providing a complex technical report, WAVE shows the original web page with embedded icons and indicators that reveal the accessibility of that page. This presentation facilitates manual evaluation of web accessibility. A Firefoxtoolbar version of WAVE allows evaluation of webcontent directly within

Ryan, WATAP Internhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732961803514795408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-91092610158169004732012-02-27T13:56:00.000-08:002012-03-01T10:23:31.677-08:002012-03-01T10:23:31.677-08:00

With the 2012 elections ramping up and voting season around the corner, it is important that every citizen have the chance to be heard and their votes to count. The Washington Secretary of State Elections Division has postedinformation on their website concerning accessible voting including links ranging from how to request an accommodation or assistance for individuals, an ADA checklist for

Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-2351457939627803942012-02-22T11:30:00.000-08:002012-02-22T11:30:01.798-08:002012-02-22T11:30:01.798-08:00

Some users with low vision can see content more easily if the default colors are inverted (white text on a black background), customized user styles are applied (blue text on a yellow background, for example), or a custom color scheme is used. This can be done using the operating system, with screen magnification software, or with user style sheets in a web browser. To ensure web accessibility

Ryan, WATAP Internhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732961803514795408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-1047789520797331702012-02-20T09:03:00.000-08:002012-02-20T09:03:00.269-08:002012-02-20T09:03:00.269-08:00

TOUR DAY AT DSB!! We are opening the doors to our Low Vision and Assistive Technology labs for hands on experience with our equipment. Please come and visit us! WHEN: Wednesday, March 28th, 2010 From 8:00 AM TO 5:00 PM (last tour at 4 PM) WHERE: Department of Service for the Blind, Seattle Office 3411 South Alaska Street, Seattle 98118 WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Anyone with an

Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-61016315376232236012012-02-15T13:18:00.000-08:002012-02-15T13:18:01.459-08:002012-02-15T13:18:01.459-08:00

iDress for Weather Screenshot Knowing what to wear can be difficult in the hourly changing climate of the Pacific Northwest and as someone without a television or the inclination to listen to the radio in the morning I’m often caught out in the rain, or more accurately the drizzle, without a raincoat. iDress for Weather is an app for iOS (that’s Apple’s operating system for those of us who

Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-11535322074058932732012-02-14T09:12:00.000-08:002012-02-14T09:12:51.081-08:002012-02-14T09:12:51.081-08:00

There is a lot to say about personal preparedness in emergencies but the messages all boil down to the same theme: plan ahead. In our recent webinar, Personal Preparedness for AT Users, we shared tips and resources from different organizations on general preparedness as well as tips for people with various AT needs. We would like to share some additional information resources that wasn't 

Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-24794298262140993492012-02-08T13:49:00.000-08:002012-02-08T13:49:00.322-08:002012-02-08T13:49:00.322-08:00

Accessibility is about the user experience. Because a web site can always be more accessible, accessibility is best viewed as being a continuum. Web accessibility guidelines and standards (such as Section 508 and WCAG) provide useful measures along that continuum. Discrimination laws (such as the Americans with Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act), however, generally do

Ryan, WATAP Internhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732961803514795408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-56908771895320231552012-02-07T15:34:00.000-08:002012-02-07T15:36:43.033-08:002012-02-07T15:36:43.033-08:00

Join us and the Washington Access Fund on Thursday, February 9th at 10:00am for a free webinar on emergency preparedness. If a disaster struck, either large or small, how prepared would you feel? What would you do with your assistive technology and how would you replace it if it were lost? Learn simple steps you can take to prepare yourself and your assistive technology in case of an emergency.

Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-91711861075626783022011-12-22T13:01:00.000-08:002011-12-22T13:01:59.730-08:002011-12-22T13:01:59.730-08:00

Bells with Holly "Abe" is a grade school student who hasn't been able to independently use his Dynavox alternative and augmentative communication device. His mom contacted WATAP to borrow the Head Mouse Extreme so her son could access his Dynavox. At the end of the borrow period she called one of our AT Specialists, Maria Kelley, OTR/L, ATP to tell her that the Head Mouse worked great and that

Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-16940123373929049312011-12-16T13:08:00.000-08:002011-12-16T13:08:17.923-08:002011-12-16T13:08:17.923-08:00

Iris 9000 Voice Control Unit  Looking for last minute ideas for the holiday season? Check out WATAP's past webinars including the AT Holiday Gift Buying Guide for lots of cool ideas for people with varying abilities and varying interests. Great AT accessory ideas as well as products for everything from gardening to gaming to modifying your home environment. Get simple, low cost, low tech ideas

Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-69269663130542099902011-11-30T14:23:00.000-08:002011-11-30T14:23:00.350-08:002011-11-30T14:23:00.350-08:00

This is part of a continuing series of web accessibility tips for IT personnel, web managers and web development groups. These tips can be used to review current website accessibility and to utilize in developing new websites with the hope of improving web accessibility for everyone.Determining whether there is enough color contrast between text and background can be difficult. WCAG 2.0 has

Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8947197962754404963.post-1462068442277888432011-11-23T14:09:00.000-08:002011-11-23T14:09:00.125-08:002011-11-23T14:09:00.125-08:00

This is part of a continuing series of web accessibility tips for IT personnel, web managers and web development groups. These tips can be used to review current website accessibility and to utilize in developing new websites with the hope of improving web accessibility for everyone.Content must remain readable and understandable when text size or page zoom is set to at least 200% or twice the

Washington Assistive Technology Act Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18107445180349315996noreply@blogger.com0