Thanks for the posts/replys.

I know that Javascript support is improving on many user agents, such as JAWS and Window Eyes etc…but still find it slightly frustrating having been involved in user tests with customers with accessibility requirements, know how frustrated they get using sites such as this, as well as Flash driven content.

Jonathan

PS Richard – thanks for your comment on the site. Cool Blog, will stay in touch.

And if you really want to check out your accessible site you can actually go one step further and install a text browser such as Lynx.

Then your mind will truly be opened to how vision impaired people see your wesbite. I have to say I have a very much deeper appreciation for accessible mark-up ever since installing Lynx.

I wonder where flash only sites would fit into this?

Rgds

Richard

If you ever question whether a site is accessible, use Firefox with the Web Developer extension. That will let you turn off javascript and CSS individually and see what’s left, as well as test other accessibility features.

I haven’t done any testing with script.aculo.us and accessibility, but I know you run into all sorts of difficulties when you use a dynamic approach to building your page/DOM.

I would be inclined to avoid the use of DHTML and AJAX if accessibility is a major concern, unless you can ensure that all JS functionality degrades gracefully. It is possible but quite difficult to implement.

If you want a nice tutorial on DOM scripting in a way that degrades nicely in the absence of JS give me a shout and I’ll send you the link.

Rgds

Richard

That was one serious typo.

No offense to Thomas – innocent slip