First Steps in Creating an Accessible Website
We’ve compiled a top-five list of items for you when creating an accessible webpage or editing existing web pages. These are the items that everyone can follow to make their websites more accessible.
Digital Content Creators
Accessible Board and Card Games
NNELS Accessibility Board and Card Games were made available so people with vision loss can enjoy games with others. The page acknowledges the social benefits, physical, tactile games, and online and video game options.
Disability Language Style Guide
Disability Language Style Guide is also a downloadable PDF that lists appropriate terms and phrases when referring to people with disabilities in publications or conversations. Translated versions are available.
WebAIM: Microsoft Word Creating Accessible Documents
WebAIM has created a valuable resource, instructing users on how to make accessible documents using Microsoft Word. This website is particularly useful for anyone who wishes to make word documents that are born accessible.
Best Practices for Alberta Public Libraries
If you are a part of a public library in Alberta, this resource can help you find the general guidelines and additional resources on implementing the standards in the document.
Inclusive Language in A Canadian Style Guide
It is important to follow style guides in media. This guide offers an array of options for talking about disabilities.
Considering Accessibility when Procuring Licensed Digital Resources
Procurement, at its most basic, is the process of purchasing goods and services, and all libraries have a part to play in this activity. The procurement process for licensed digital resources in public libraries is complex, and locally variable. This guide recommends accessibility considerations to include in the procurement process of accessible licensed digital resources in general, as well as some particular considerations for accessible digital books.
Digital Accessibility Terminology
This primer from CDP Communications Inc. introduces key terminology related to digital accessibility, focusing on web and document accessibility. The primer covers outline general terms, compliance standards, accommodation approaches, and formatting content for accessibility, alongside highlighting the significance of assistive technologies and legal frameworks.
Library Access Checklist
The American Library Association (ALA) document discusses the importance of public libraries ensuring equal access to technology for those with disabilities. It provides a checklist for libraries to evaluate their level of accessibility by asking questions about the environment and users’ needs.
Assistive Technology Demonstrations
Assistive technology refers to products, equipment, and systems that enhance reading, learning, working, and daily living for people with disabilities. We have provided explanations and a few examples of demonstrations on how people use assistive technologies so you can understand their role in their lives.
YouDescribe
YouDescribe is an innovative platform dedicated to enhancing the accessibility of YouTube videos for visually impaired audiences through audio description. It serves as a crucial tool in making visual content accessible, enabling blind and low-vision users to enjoy a broader range of YouTube videos.
Respectful and Plain Language
Respectful and Plain Language is a communication guide for library staff when interacting with and assisting the public.
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Image Tutorial
Website developers should note these resources as they explain how to use images correctly (and accessibly). The original resources contain more detailed information, and you can find links to specific standards and WCAG success criteria there.
Writing Principles for Web Content
The Government of Canada gives some guidance on their standards for writing web-based content. Of course, the advice applies much more broadly than just the government. We will quickly summarize some of the expectations.
Rules for the Microsoft Accessibility Checker
The rules for the Microsoft accessibility checker are a thorough guide to the various ways a user can ensure that their Microsoft 365 files are accessible. This guide is a helpful resource for library staff and patrons alike to help ensure your Microsoft creations are accessible.
Accessible Websites Webinar
Interested in ensuring that your website is accessible? Watch the Accessible Website webinar to learn about common accessibility barriers, including video demonstrations. The information covered in this webinar includes inaccessible forms, keyboard navigation, the readability of your site, and colour contrast.
Plain Language
The Government of British Columbia has compiled a comprehensive resource of plain language tools. This webpage provides applications, articles, videos, and related resources for government writers whose work may be read by professionals or the public.
Organization of Schemas
This uniquely developer-focused resource can help us create machine-readable metadata about almost anything! This includes if a book is accessible or not and in what way.
Accessible Fonts
There are a lot of varying opinions on how to do accessible fonts. There is no uniform consensus, but there are some general guidelines for publishers and presenters to pay attention to.
Accessibility Overlays
Accessibility overlays are software packages which are used to attempt to insert accessibility on top of a poorly accessible website. Web developers, managers with responsibility in for-profit and non-profit capacities, and content teams beware: accessibility overlays can not guarantee WCAG compliance, and they are never a substitute for properly accessible websites.