Manual Accessibility Checks

When you validate your accessibility by using Bobby, Cynthia Says, or some other validation program you get the automatic items that needs to be checked. Below are the manual items you need to check in order to qualify for your accessibility rating level.

Priority 1 User Checks

1. If you can't make a page accessible, construct an alternate accessible version.
   • make a text version of page
   • write out the lyrics of a song
2. If style sheets are ignored or unsupported, are pages still readable and usable?
   • Turn off your java or script and see how page will react
3. Provide alternative content for each SCRIPT that conveys important information or functionality.
   • If script is used for navigation use a regular html link besides
   • Use titles to describe what is going to happen
4. If you use color to convey information, make sure the information is also represented another way.
   • If links are in color use title' s in your href tag to tell what will happen
   • Use size of text or underline in place of color only for links
5. If an image conveys important information beyond what is in its alternative text, provide an extended description.
   • alt tags are to replace image content if image is not seen
   • Keep alt tags to a minimum
   • Use d links for addition information
   • If image would supply no meaning to the content leave alt tag BLANK
6. Identify any changes in the document's language.
   • language is just a way of describing something - be it a program's actions or a markup definition.
   • Changing from one countries language to another
7. Use the simplest and most straightforward language that is possible.
   • Try to use simple terminology and language as possible
   • explain things in a way anyone could follow and understand
   • Do not go on and on about a subject, stay to the point.

Priority 2 User Checks

1. . Make sure that labels of all form controls are properly placed.
   • Text Boxes
   • Check Boxes
   • Radio boxes
   • all elements except for buttons and hidden elements
2. . If there is a logical grouping of form controls, use FIELDSET with LEGEND on each group.
   • Fieldset groups with simular items together
   • Legends add title to each group or fieldset
3. If programmatic objects create pop-up windows or change the active window, make sure that the user is aware this is happening.
   • add a title tag stating opens in new window
4. Check that the foreground and background colors contrast sufficiently with each other.
   • Make sure colored text is easy to read with out looking to hard and that it is not blurry.
5. Mark up any quotations with the Q and BLOCKQUOTE elements.
   • The "BLOCKQUOTE" tag should be used for longer quotes, which are "blocked" or indented from the page margins.
   • The "Q" tag should be used within a paragraph to quote a direct source.
6. Do not create a blinking effect with animated gif images.
   • Make animation smooth and consistent
   • Use as little as possible
   • do not have blank spaces in your animation that keeps looping
7. Make sure that all link phrases make sense when read out of context.
   • If you was to read link phrase with out the link would it make sense as additional text.
8. Is there a site map or table of contents, a description of the general layout of the site, the access features used, and how to use them?
   • site map to get to any page
   • tables of contents to show pages and or sections
   • list access keys, or tab keys. short cuts around the site
9. Make sure your document validates to formal published grammars.
   • Poor grammar and spelling can confuse many people
10. Is there a clear, consistent navigation structure?
    • A consistent navigation makes it easier to get around your site
    • consistent navigation helps your guest know where to find links
11. Use the latest technology specification available whenever possible.
    • Technology is advancing fast and becoming more accessible to everyone
    • New technology is being designed for accessibility and presentation

Priority 3 User Checks

1. Consider furnishing keyboard shortcuts for form elements.
   • Access keys for most used links of a site
2. Consider specifying a logical tab order among form controls, links and objects.
   • Tab order you links in groups or sections of your page
3. Use the ABBR and ACRONYM elements to denote and expand any abbreviations and acronyms that are present.
   • Using abbreviation tags will let screen readers know it is not a word.
   • the acronym tag lets a screen reader know the text is an acronym and not a word
4. If you have grouped links, is there a link at the beginning to bypass the group?
   • skip to content
   • skip to navigation
   • if your links are large and in simular groups - skip to next group
5. If there are logical groups of links, have they been identified and a link to skip the group provided?
   • If simular groups are close together put them in groups and add skip over links
6. Consider adding keyboard shortcuts to frequently used links.
   • Access keys to the most used links
   • Access keys to skip to sections or groups of links
7. Is there distinguishing information at the beginning of headings, paragraphs, lists, etc.?
   • Many people who cannot visually "skim" a page skim it instead by reading the first sentence of paragraphs,
   • This is referred to as "front-loading" and is especially helpful for people accessing information with speech synthesizers
8. If there is a search feature, are there different types of searches for different skill levels and preferences?
   • simple keyword search
   • A drop-down list of keywords
   • Drilling down through a categorized list of selections
9. Are there navigation bars for easy access to the navigation structure?
   • top of page links to sections of your site
10. Do you allow users to customize their experience of the web page?
    • Use % instead of fixed elements so the page can be flexible
    • Fonts should not be fixed so programs can make text larger for some groups to see
11. Is there a consistent style of presentation between pages?
    • If pages are the same guest can get more comfortable surfing your site