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Design Standards

Accessibility | PDF | Client-side Code | Video and Audio

Accessibility

DSHS Internet subsites must meet the current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (WCAG) Priority Checklist checkpoints. Implement Priority 2 and 3 checkpoints, as needed, especially if the website uses tables, frames, or form controls. Create a logical tab order for navigation. People using access devices often navigate among objects such as form controls and links with the tab key instead of the mouse. Specifying a tab order allows them to access these items in a logical order. Test and modify as needed with an accessibility evaluation and repair tool.

Many of the WCAG Checklist of Checkpoints for Web Content Accessibility is incorporated into Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which establishes accessibility standards for federal agencies.

Tools/Web Links/Templates:
Accessibility Tools and Training Various types of development, evaluation and repair tools are available to help create accessible websites and Web applications. A combination of tools may be useful. Accessibility training is also recommended.

W3C list of Evaluation and Repair tools. Large selection of 3rd party products and solutions

A-Prompt Tool-kit Evaluation and repair tool

The Wave Evaluation tool

Vischeck Colorblindness information and evaluation tool

MAGpie Synchronized text generator for multimedia files

Washington Assistive Technology Alliance Information and training

508 Universe Online training

Portable Document Format (PDF)

The Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) is commonly used for electronic document distribution. The Adobe Acrobat product is required to create a PDF document while the Adobe Acrobat Reader is necessary to view documents.

The Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) is commonly used for electronic document distribution. Adobe Acrobat is required to create a PDF document. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is necessary for the user to be able to read a PDF. Users must download and install the Reader as a plug-in.

Consider the following for distributing large PDFs via the Web:

  • Reduce the size of PDFs. A number of options are available from Adobe to reduce the size of a PDF including:
    • Compress text and line art
    • Lower dpi settings for images
    • Lower quality setting to minimum
    • Remove fonts from "always embed" list
    • Split document into smaller files
    • Remove extra pages
    • Remove embedded tags
    • Optimize for page-at-a-time viewing
  • If possible, create PDF files with embedded accessibility tags. Word 2000 or later as it embeds the accessibility tag information into the file automatically. Also run the accessibility checker from the PDF file
Tools/Web Links/Templates:

Tips for Distributing PDFs on the Web Optimize PDFs from Adobe

 

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Client-side Code

You must minimize client-side code by using server-side logic. Excessive processing on the client may exceed the capabilities of the user's browser and the capacities of the user's computer.

Only plug-ins available at no charge will be allowed. Advise user of workstation requirements and give complete directions for downloading the plug-in.

If you are using an alternative format such as Word, Adobe Acrobat, or PowerPoint, you must supply clear requirements for the user.

Specify the format of the document i.e. PDF, Word, Power Point in parenthesis after the link that requires a plug-in to view.

Make any required plug-ins or viewers available for download at no charge to the user and alert the user to any workstation requirements.

Commonly used plugs-in and viewers are:

Consequences of using plug-ins on your site :
Because plug-ins (or "Active-X Controls") rely fully on the hardware and software configuration of the customer's computer, plug-ins is prone to many problems. Examples of these problems can include, but are not limited to:

  • Hardware requirements that the customer's computer cannot satisfy.
  • Incompatibility with the customer's computer operating system or the specific version of their operating system.
  • Incompatibility with the customer's Internet browser or the specific version of their browser.
  • Incompatibility with the customer's version of the plug-in.
  • Incompatibility with the customer's rights on their computer (such as when the customer doesn't have the necessary permissions to install software on their computer).
  • High bandwidth requirements that the customer cannot meet because they are using a low bandwidth Internet connection (such as a dial-up modem).
  • Customer's may not trust the plug-in, and therefore refuse to install it.

Web page authors should consider these issues very carefully when designing their pages. Whenever possible, content provided through a plug-in should also be provided in an alternative format such as HTML or plain text. Use of custom or in-house developed plug-ins is highly discouraged.

Video and Audio

Web video offers a wealth of interactive possibilities not available with other media. As the technology improves, the quality and reliability of Web video is quickly making it one of the premiere choices for communication between businesses, agencies, and the public. The target audience and nature of the video production will help determine the best technology to use. Indicate which video format(s) are used and provide a link to the download site for the required plug-in. Consider the following general guidelines when determining video needs.

Delivery Methods

Streaming video requires a dedicated server and software to dynamically send the video to the viewer. This technology allows the video to play within 10 seconds of requesting the file and is more suited for longer, high quality video.

DSHS YouTube (WAstateDSHS's Channel) is more suitable for short video clips of 30 seconds to 10 minutes in length. Contact DSHS Communications (360.902.7829) for information of how to add your video to the DSHS Channel.

The "progressive download" method involves placing a video file on a standard Web server for users to download before viewing. This method is more suitable for short video clips of 30 seconds or less. Consult with a network administrator about the possible network strain prior to placing video files on a Web server. For use on Intranet websites Internal to DSHS.

Media Equivalents for Accessibility

Include video captioning that describes the essential speech and audio portions of the video. If this is not feasible within the video, provide an alternative auditory description to accompany the video.

Tools/Web Links/Templates:

QuickTime Player

RealOne Player

Microsoft Media Player

Flash Media Player

MAGpie Captioning Software

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Modification Date: March 18,2011 For questions or comments about the contents of this manual, please contact the DSHS Teamsite Administrator.