So we’ll eat at a place that doesn’t have a Flash website

Posted by John Lampard on Thursday, 18 February, 2010 to the technology subset

Flash powered websites can be a challenge to use at the best of times, but spare a thought for those using devices that don’t support it, and more so where no alternative – such as an HTML version – is offered either.
But I’m on my phone. Don’t you have a little “HTML Version” link [...]

Tags: , , , , ,
permalink | say something | disassociated.com

End Post icon

Toilet design should take a web standards, accessibility, cue

Posted by John Lampard on Monday, 7 September, 2009 to the comment subset

I see plenty of talk about web standards and accessibility in the corner of the web I frequent, but what about standards and accessibility for mobility impaired people in other areas… such as toilets? Victoria Brignell, who has a spinal cord injury, writes about the need for greater standards and accessibility design in toilets.
There [...]

Tags: , , , , ,
permalink | Comments Off | disassociated.com

End Post icon

Screen Readers Users survey results

Posted by John Lampard on Thursday, 12 February, 2009 to the comment subset

The results of a survey conducted by WebAima into the preferences of people using screen-readers to access the web makes for interesting reading.
Essential information for all web professionals.

Tags: , , , ,
permalink | Comments Off | disassociated.com

End Post icon

HTML headings, accessibility, and SEO

Posted by John Lampard on Thursday, 29 January, 2009 to the comment subset

Roger Johansson has written a great refresher about the correct use of HTML headers, or elements such as h1, h2, etc.

Tags: , , , ,
permalink | Comments Off | disassociated.com

End Post icon

Next Friday will be a Blue Beanie Day

Posted by John Lampard on Friday, 21 November, 2008 to the events subset

Wear a blue beanie next Friday, November 28, and show your support for web standards and accessibility. Sign up at the Blue Beanie Day Facebook group.
As I said last year, a beanie may not be the go in Australia, or other parts of the world that are going into summer, so maybe we could wear [...]

Tags: , , ,
permalink | Comments Off | disassociated.com

End Post icon

There is no alternative to the attribute of alt text

Posted by John Lampard on Friday, 14 November, 2008 to the comment subset

Fantastic image alt attribute primer and tutorial. Use of the alt attribute, or alt text, is a simple step towards writing standards compliant and accessible HTML markup.
The first step when determining appropriate alternative text for an image is to decide if the image presents content and if the image has a function. In most cases, [...]

Tags: , , , ,
permalink | Comments Off | disassociated.com

End Post icon

Mind how you link your punctuation

Posted by John Lampard on Wednesday, 29 October, 2008 to the comment subset

Just what is the best way to hyperlink this sentence, if the words JavaScript and screen readers are to be the anchor text?
Blind accessibility consultant Aaron Cannon and co-worker Aaron Barker have authored “JavaScript and screen readers”.

And if you thought there were at least six options to choose from, then you were correct.
What’s more [...]

Tags: , , ,
permalink | Comments Off | disassociated.com

End Post icon

WebAnywhere: a Web 2.0 web accessibility application

Posted by John Lampard on Wednesday, 23 July, 2008 to the technology subset

WebAnywhere is a web-based screen reader that can be used to access webpages on any computer without the need to install any screen reading software.
Try it here… it’s a little strange hearing your webpage being read back to you at first. It mispronounces both “disassociated” and my surname (minor detail, plus this is an [...]

Tags: , , ,
permalink | Comments Off | disassociated.com

End Post icon

The Accessibility Checklist you should vow to abide by

Posted by John Lampard on Thursday, 12 June, 2008 to the design and art subset

As Aaron Cannon points out, it’s not perfect, but it’s a great starting point, and as a bonus, many of the items on the list are commonsense, especially for standards minded web designers, making it even easier to adopt.
When I wrote the … checklist, I attempted to answer the question, “What concise pieces of advice [...]

Tags: , , , , ,
permalink | Comments Off | disassociated.com

End Post icon

Paper money unfair to blind

Posted by John Lampard on Thursday, 22 May, 2008 to the comment subset

Paper money unfair to blind
This story has been featured in a few places but I thought it was worth relinking here, as there are usability and accessibility lessons for web designers in it.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld a 2006 district court ruling that could force the United States [...]

Tags: , , , ,
permalink | Comments Off | disassociated.com

End Post icon