Software vs Web: The Standards Standoff

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Software vs Web The Standards Standoff

• Sally Cain
• Digital Accessibility Development Officer
• RNIB
• Sally.Cain_at_rnib.org.uk

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What is Accessibility?

• usability of a product, service, environment or
  facility by people with the widest range of
  capabilities (ISO)
• Can the user undertake the task a realistic
  amount of time in a realistic way.

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Defining a software application

• A computer program developed for use by multiple
  consumers or businesses
• A computer program that provides you with tools
  to do work.
• A program or group of programs designed for end
  users.
• (Wikipedia/Webopedia)

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Defining a Web Application

• Web application is an application delivered via a
  browser
• Rich Internet applications (RIAs) are web
  applications that have most of the
  characteristics of desktop application
• (Wikipedia)
• The Web is just another platform

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Web apps like software apps

• DHTML style guide group have been defining
  keyboard behaviour for web apps/widgets. It is
  based on expected behaviour from desktop
  applications.
• http//dev.aol.com/dhtml_style_guide

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So far

• to the user it is an application whatever
  platform it runs on
• Making a standards compliant accessible product
  should not be complicated - but different
  guidelines
• What guidance do you use for Web apps?

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Standards and Guidelines

• ISO 9241-171
• Section 508
• IBM Software Accessibility Checklist
• NDA IT Guidelines
• WCAG 2.0
• ATAG 1.0

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What fits best for web apps?

• Labels for controls/fields
• WCAG 1.1.1 is a control or accepts user input
  must have a name
• ISO 8.1.1 Provide name for each UI element
• UI element is broader than control
• What about read only/static text fields?

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Labels for ISO

• ISO goes on to say
• 8.1.3 Unique names within context
• 8.1.6 Names and labels that are short
• 8.1.8 Properly position labels
• 8.5.4 Make user element information available to
  AT

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Labels for WCAG

• WCAG 1.3.1 Information, structure, and
  relationships conveyed through presentation can
  be programmatically determined or are available
  in text.
• Does that say everything that ISO does?

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Visible focus cursor

• WCAG 2.4.7 - Focus visible (Level AA)
• ISO 9.2.1 - Visible cursor and text cursor (Shall
  - requirement)

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User preferences/profiles

• WCAG 1.3 Content can be presented in different
  ways
• ISO 8.2.1 Individualization of user preferences
• ISO 8.2.3 Individualization of look/feel
• ISO 8.2.5 User preference profiles
• ISO 8.2.6 User preference settings across
  locations

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Other things?

• Provide keyboard shortcuts
• Provide documentation on accessibility features
• User documentation and 'help' in accessible
  electronic form

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Why complicated?

• Web web standards
• Software what standards?
• Static web page intro to web application
• Mixture of development environments
• How are developers educated?
• What should be used?

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Test with ISO 9241-171

• If it looks like a desktop application and
  behaves like a desktop application it should be
  tested like a desktop application
• Applications to do a job
• More comprehensive guidance to ensure a more
  accessible product

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Thank you!