Building Accessible Websites

To develop an accessible website, you can utilize the following all-encompassing process.

1. Familiarize yourself with the relvant standards and regulations (Section 504, Section 508, House Bill 2197).
2. Make yourself aware of the disability issues and how to build web pages accessibly (Online free WebAIM training).
3. Attend a free short-course for design from IT.
4. Design your overall layout using an accessible development environment.
5. Design any scripting or programmatic elements, such as Flash or Shockwave using accessible standards.
6. Validate your site for proper code, linearized tables, and clean HTML.
7. Validate your site using a robust accessibility development suite at each stage of development.
8. Request an in-depth accessibility site analysis.
9. Perform a full usability analysis.
10. Deploy your site.
11. Monitor your site for changes to accessibility as the site matures and grows.

Desktop Software for Website Accessibility

OSU has purchased site licenses from the HiSoftware Corporation in an effort to assist with the initiative of making all electronic content accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Currently, this software is only available to OSU-Stillwater Faculty and Staff. The potential exists in the future to extend this site license to Faculty and Staff of the rest of the OSU System.

If you wish to use tools at your individual workstation to aid accessible web design, you will need to access the Software Distribution Centerto download these tools for no charge.

HiSoftware Video Overviews

• Understanding Hi-Caption: This video gives a brief (10 minute) demo on some of the features available in Hi-Caption, the multimedia captioning software that expedites the transcription and captioning of computer-based video and audio tracks.
• Accessibility Interview Wizard: (Presentation requires Internet Explorer). Overviews usage of the Interview Wizard available in AccVerify and other products, which helps users determine manual checks. (Audio Only Link)
• AccVerify Reporting and Repair: Information regarding the reporting and remediation capabilites of the AccVerify suite that help users automatically fix common accessibility issues.
• Message View Panel: Overview of the Message View Panel, which provides information about accessibility issues discovered in the current open project.
• Custom Checks: Overview of creating and using custom checks in AccVerify.
• Other Training Available: Other trainings are available directly from HiSoftware. Please consult their website for more details.

For further assistance, please consult the Help available within the various programs, or contact the IT Division Helpdesk for more assistance. Alternately, you may contact our office or drop by 418 Classroom Building for assistance.