The HTML tags describing an image that appears when the mouse is rolled over the image on a Web page.

American Disabilities Act - ADA

Web sites should be ADA accessible to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the same access to web site information that is provided to everyone.

Accessibility involves page design that is navigable using graphics and links labeled with text that makes sense when read by a screen reader.

Graphical javascript components (i.e., rollover navigational images) are not accessible to screen readers.

• Alt-text Tags and D-links - Alt tags provide an informational text 'tool tip' for images that serve two purposes: 1) if the image is incorrectly linked, it isn't visible, the alt tag will appear giving a reference of what the image is, 2) for visually impaired users, the alt tag is read aloud by speech synthesization software, called Narrator in WinXP.
  The d-link, when used in conjunction with, and immediately to the right of, an alt-tagged image, allows the screen reading software to announce a d-link is available, via hyperlink. When clicked on the d-link provides more extensive descriptive information than an alt tag provides and works best for describing complex graphics.
  The code would look like this:
  <p><img src="logo_left.gif" width=418 height=93 alt="Mass Communication is Fun!" title="Mass Comm Header"><a href="dlink.html" target="_blank">d</a></p>
  • See Figure 1 below.
    The advantages of d-links over LONGDESC tags is d-link tags can be viewed by both seeing and vision impared users, whereas LONGDESC tags are only read by screen readers.
• should have alternative text coded (alt tags)  
• complex images (e.g., graphs or charts) must be adequately described        PDF’s will be converted HTML or text using Adobe.coms conversion tool  

Figure 1
d

The graphic above matches the NSU Mass Communication header below ...
... except no image can be located or is incorrectly located, revealing the ALT tags.

ADA Compliance should address the issues listed below, which is not an exhaustive list. However this list should help the majority of single and multiple disability users.

• Captioned and Described Movie Clips
• Video and animation will be described in text or audio
• Interface-aggrivated Attention Deficit
  • distracting visual or audio elements should not be used, or can be easily be turned off    
  • Website should be clearly and consistently organized
• Intellectual consideration
  • Do not use unnecessarily complex language in the project
• Motor disabilities
  • Do not have time-limited response in the project
• Access Keys
  • Utilize Alt+Number (Ctrl+Number for Mac) or Tab keys in order to keyboard navigate through project in a logical sequence
• Color blindness
  • Utilize high contrast (vivid) colors or black and white text to        Utilized underlined text-links for visual clues 
  • Do not use red and green together, as red-green color blindness is the most common
  • Do not use analogous or monochrome color pallets, which appear too low contrast and indistinguishable.

• Do not use Non-standard software
  • if you must then provide an adequate link to download the appropriate software. However, if utilized at a public facility, i.e., the library, the user may be unable to download and install software. Provide information about required, additional software to the end user adjacent to the initial link. Also, non-standard document formats that may be difficult for their screen reader to interpret
• Provide text enlargement capabilities
  • HTML-based text (Ctrl+scroll to make larger or smaller)
  • OS built-in magnifier
  • CSS pages can provide the savvy end-user the ability to attach their own customized style sheets for personalized viewing preferences.
• Utilize Universal Disability Access Symbols

 Access (Other Than Print or Braille) for Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision

 Symbol for Accessibility

 Audio Description

 Telephone Typewriter (TTY)

 Volume Control Telephone

 Assistive Listening Systems

 Sign Language Interpretation

 Accessible Print (18 pt. or Larger)

 The Information Symbol

 Closed Captioning (CC)

 Opened Captioning (OC) Open Captioning is preferred by many including deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, and people whose second language is English. In addition, it is helpful in teaching children how to read

 Braille Symbol

References

Adobe (n.d.). Online Converison tools for Adobe PDF documents. Retrieved May 29, 2007, from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/access_onlinetools.html.

Graphic Artists Guild. 2007. Disability Access Symbols. Retrieved May 29, 2007, from http://www.gag.org/resources/das.php.

Newman, C. (2000). Considering the color blind. New Architect: Internet Strategies for Technology Leaders. Retrieved May 29, 2007, from http://webtechniques.com/archives/2000/08/newman/.

The Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National Center for Accessible Media. (n.d.) Access Instructions fo Users with Disabilities. Retrieved May 29, 2007, from http://ncam.wgbh.org/accessncam.html.

W3C. (2005). How People with Disabilities Use the Web. Retrieved May 29, 2007, from http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/PWD-Use-Web/Overview.html.