Accessibility
"The force of the Web lies in its universality. Its use by all, irrespective of any handicap, is fundamental."
Tim Berners-Lee, Director of the W3C, inventor of the Web.
The SPIDH has paid special attention with regard to the accessibility of its Website, whether by observing international standards or by adding functions recommended by associations for the blind.
- What is digital accessibility?
Making a Website accessible means making it available to all individuals, whatever their hardware or software, their network infrastructure, their mother tongue, their culture, their geographical situation or their physical or mental capacity. It especially enables handicapped persons to have access to information, education and culture.
An accessible site, in fact, observes certain technical criteria and rules.
In term of development, the contents (the text) must be separated from the form (images, layout). Each element must have a textual alternative. Hence, an image must have an alternative which shall be used, for example, by a voice synthesis software.
Digital accessibility does not only involve people with a visual handicap; it is also aimed at making Websites clearer and easier to view.
- The standards for Web accessibility
W3C, the body that develops Website standards and protocols, created the WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) with the aim of improving accessibility. WAI defines 3 priority levels, corresponding to 3 levels of accessibility: A / AA / AAA. The first two were used, as of 2002, as a basis for the 13th June Resolution, adopted by the European Parliament (ref. EP (2002)0325). This Resolution recognises the importance of Website accessibility within the European institutions and Member States. It notes that the recommended accessibility (AA) must be applied to public Websites.
The SPIDH Web site respects such recommendations. Should you ever encounter an accessibility problem on any one of the pages of this Website, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we may improve our work. Please also do not hesitate to transmit us your comments and suggestions.
- How to take advantage of digital accessibility
A Website that observes the accessibility standards enables you to make many adjustments. You can, for example, zoom in on a page without losing the comfort of reading. In order to do so, use the options of your navigator or, alternatively, the scroll wheel of your mouse while simultaneously pressing the CTRL key on your keyboard.
You can also use a navigator such as “Opera” (http://www.opera.com) which is equipped with navigation assistance tools. You will, for example, be able to easily zoom in within your pages by also enlarging the images. Opera also proposes alternative style sheets, enabling you to browse the site using colours adapted to your eyesight.
