Web Accessibility - Section 508, CMP057
See Official Schedule for class dates, times, and cost.
Learn practical tools to make your web sites accessible to those with disabilities. The course will apply accessibility standards to navigation, tables, type and color, images, frames and forms, style sheets, and multimedia (including Flash). The course will focus on U.S. government Section 508 standards, their interpretation and application, with reference also to international standards. This course is important for all web designers working or interested in working on commercial, non-profit, government, or government contract web sites. The classroom computers are equipped with a text reader browser so that students may have the opportunity test the accessibility of their web site.
Prerequisite: Building Your First Web Page Using HTML or equivalent experience. Ability to use HTML tags recommended.
Technology update: Please bring a Flash Drive/Memory Stick 512MB or larger to class which will enable you to save your class work.
Textbook:
Books may be purchased at the MC Bookstore or online. You will need to know the CMP#(Continuing Education classes) for the class you are taking in order to look up information about the textbook.
Topics covered include: Section 508 Accessibility Requirements, Application of requirements to: Graphics, Image Maps, Forms, Tables, Cascading Style Sheets, Multimedia, Audio/sound, video, plug ins, scripts, Java Applets, rollovers, PDF files, site maps, e-commerce, and others.
Teaching Method: Instruction will include a combination of lecture, demonstration, and hands-on exercises. Coding problems will be presented to illustrate accessibility issues and their resolution. Students will be given opportunities in and out of class to apply accessibility techniques to hands-on exercises.
Course Content
Class I - Background and Basics
Note: Students should read Chapters 1, 3, and 9 before the first class.
Topic I. The Rehabilitation Act and the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 Amendments, U.S. Access Board Federal Regulations, and Applicability of the Rules.
- Section 508 Requirements - History and Legislation
- Who is covered by Section 508?
- What web sites are covered under Section 508?
- Text Reader Technology
- JAWS & other screen readers
Topic 2. Graphics
- Making Graphics Accessible
Topic 3. Color and the Web
- Accessibility for color-blind visitors
Class 2 - Forms, Tables and Cascading Style Sheets
- Making Forms Accessible
- Making Tables Accessible
- Making Frame sets Accessible
- Using Cascading Style Sheets to enhance accessibility
Class 3 - Multimedia, Roll-Overs and Scripts
- The tension between images, moving images, and text readers
- Alternatives where multimedia is important to your page and site
- Video media - Flash, Quicktime Movies, Shockwave
- Audio Media - MPEG, WAV, .mid, others
- Scripts and JavaScript Roll-Overs, Popups, and Pop-Downs
- Plug-ins
- Applets
Class 4 - PDF Files and E-Commerce
- PDF Files - How to make PDF pictures accessible
- E-Commerce Issues - Interactivity and information collection
- Case Studies and Hands-On Exercises