As a visually impared computer user and site developer myself I like to help others be aware of things they may not consider when building a web page. More and more people are jumping on the web each new day and the numbers are amazing. you can conseive to have visiters to your website from literally anywhere in the world.
So as you design and build your sites think of a few things first...
*Who is the site intended for?
*Who will want to visit your site?
*What are the needs of your page visiters?
Things like this will assist you in determining the layout, tools, settings, appearance and how you want things to look for these such people.
One thing though sometimes overlooked is accessibllity of your website to those with special needs.
Did you even know there are some computer users and even more then you think who save a ton of money on a fancy monitor? Yepper completely blind computer users have no use for one and listen to everything that is on a page from a screan reader. This is just one example. Other computer users may be typing with their eyes and or talking to the computer to type for them since they do not have use of their arms and such.
So now that I bring this up i would like to now ask ... Did you know a lot of these special computer programs and software don't always function well with some choices you could make for your site?
For example the screan reader I use Zoomtext Level 2 does not currently read java ... so if your site is completely java and targeted for use by me I would not have the ability to hear your site read to me from my computer and would most likely keep on searching for another site with the same information.
Now don't worry even I use some java in my own sites. The point here I am suggesting is to just think of your users as you create your sites. Then think of ways you can make it easy on them to use your sites.
For Examples:
*Create text for pictures explaining the picture when a mouse or screan reader hits it since yes pictures are like java and readers skip on over them as if they were not there at all. Placing this text allows for readers to pick up on them and is a easy thing to do on your pics.
*Create 2 sepperate sites one being text only with a link from the top of the main one.
*Mix things up so those who can not hear can read and those who can not see can read or hear from text.
*Limit pictures, java, etc on yur page and mix it up with text when ever you can or even double it up with text.
*Provide ways to contact you by phone, email, etc if someone needs assistence with your site.
Just being aware of who may run into your site is the first step from there you can make some of these decisions I have brought up.
Let me leave you with this little tip...
Who is the largest target market most websites target?
yepper the trend setters baby boomers.
So did you know one of the largest eye deseases for senior's is macular Degeneration? Sadly this is true and the baby boomers are porring a ton of money into research because they don't want this. This means though as this group grows more and more will find they will need special software to use their computers So keep this in mind and be sure your target market can use your sites you create.
|
Contributor's Note
Expect Miracles...
Shane
PersonalDevelopmentSuccess.net *Feel free to use and or pass on this information keeping this signiture line in place and part of the repost or forward*
|
