Skip to main content

Techniques & Tutorials

A wealth of information about Web accessibility is available on the Web itself. The select resources listed here include overview as well as reference information.

Introductory Resources

How People with Disabilities Use the Web. W3C Web Accessibility Initiative.
This WAI document includes scenarios, such as students using online course materials, demonstrating how the Web is used by people with various disabilities.
www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/PWD-Use-Web/
Quick Tips to Make Accessible Web Sites. W3C Web Accessibility Initiative.
Brief list of 10 tips summarizing key concepts of accessible Web design. This is a useful overview for someone new to Web accessibility. Offers online order form for up to 500 free summary cards (business card, large print, and Braille). www.w3.org/WAI/quicktips/
Resources on Introducing Web Accessibility. W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).
A collection of WAI resources compiled especially to help those that are new to Web Accessibility.
www.w3.org/WAI/gettingstarted/Overview.html
World Wide Access: Accessible Web Design (video). University of Washington DO-IT Center.
Ten minute video explains accessibility with examples of good design principles, with comments from people with various disabilities as to why each principle is important.
www.washington.edu/doit/Video/www.html
World Wide Access: Accessible Web Design (brochure). University of Washington DO-IT Center.
Brief overview of importance of accessible design and the steps needed to achieve it. Also available in PDF form as a 6 page brochure suitable for printing.
www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/universal.design.html

Web Accessibility Standards

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 1.0). W3C Web Accessibility Initiative.
The official guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) on how to create accessible Web sites. WCAG is widely adhered to in many nations.
www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/
Techniques for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 1.0). W3C Web Accessibility Initiative.
Gateway to discussion of core techniques, HTML techniques, and CSS techniques for creating accessible Web sites.
www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT-TECHS/
Section 508 Tutorial. Jim Thatcher.
Tutorial provides a clear, concise overview of Section 508 (a provision added in 1998 to the federal Rehabilitation Act ). Then it provides 10 sections of detailed explanations of Section 508 provisions. Finally, it summarizes the provisions of Section 508, and gives a list of online resources.
jimthatcher.com/webcourse1.htm
Side by Side WCAG vs. 508. Jim Thatcher.
Point-by-point comparison of how Section 508 and WCAG guidelines treat a variety of accessibility checkpoints; a useful reference for a developer seeking to conform to both standards. The site explains the various priority levels of conformance for the two standards. jimthatcher.com/sidebyside.htm
Section 508. U.S. General Services Administration.
Official Web site of the Federal Government for Section 508, offering tools and resources, a showcase of tools, and more.
section508.gov/

Other Resources

Web Accessibility Articles and White Papers. Webcredible.
Numerous articles and white papers on Web accessibility, covering types of disability, standards, tools, and techniques. By a UK Web consulting firm.
www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources/web-accessibility/
Types of Assistive Technology Products. Microsoft.
An overview of the various types of tools, from alternative keypads to sip-and-puff systems, that can assist individuals with physical or cognitive impairments.
www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx
Selected Bibliography on Web Accessibility. Office of the President, University of California.
A short list of books on Web accessibility a work group of Web developers, IT managers, and ADA compliance officers from several University of California campuses and the Office of the President."
www.ucop.edu/irc/itaccessibility/resources/bibliography.html