This site was constructed over a two year period (2001-2003) and web accessibility has evolved considerably since then. We kept any Flash content to version 4 and kept the pages to fit within 600 x 400 pixels in order that the pages were accessible to audiences that didn't have the latest machines. We hadn't really considered audiences that needed more than old machine compatability. Consequently we are retrofitting Accessibility features to the sites within Youthweb.
In considering accessibility a lot of people think of sight impaired users and assume that the 'alt tag', which gives a short text description to images, equals accessibility. Whilst the use of the alt tag is useful there are other users, technologies and contexts to think of. Users with motor difficulties and other conditions that affect mouse control will appreciate clear navigation and accessibility features and labels inside Flash movies. Likewise, users of "Windows Eyes" and "Jaws" will appreciate the changes we have implemented.
Long desc and the D-Link are two approaches that augment the alt tag. Both of these are simple methods to attach long descriptions to graphical elements, including Flash Movies. Long desc is not supported fully yet so we have used the older D-Link, which is basically a link to an exhaustive text description. Long desc will be used in future sites but Youthweb will be gone by the time it is in general use.
Flash
All of the Flash movies in the sites that have our Accessible logo have been republished in Flash MX with all graphic elements as symbols where possible and full accessibility as the default. Alt tags for buttons are labelled too.
This should help assistive technologies where used but we cannot test this - any feedback (access@centrepages.co.uk) would be most welcome.
In addition, we have included D-Links for Flash movies either alongside or in the main home page of the site. The reason for that is that the bulk of the file size of Flash movies is graphical and a sight impaired user should have the chance to not have to wait for the file to load to get at just the text. We have stated in the D-Link if there is audio content that, in our opinion, is worth the extra download time.
We have also put additional text links to elements were there were only image links. All of this should mean that the sites marked accessible should at least meet the W3C's WAI guidelines to level "A" and maybe some will reach "AA".
Either way the spirit of the accessibility policy is that the site is accessible, so if you have any difficulty regarding accessing the site or just need advice on accessibility of web sites, please get in touch!
Nick Ward for Youthweb