1
I saw several threads that started dicussing whether XOOPS is/was/could be 508 Compliant. The threads ended about 6 months ago with folks finding it interesting but without any real answer at the time.
I am curious whether anyone continued attempting to build on the "accessibility" questions. I am trying to design a site for a Multiple Sclerosis support agency (I am NEWBIE web designer by definition for certain!) and have built the shell of it using a standard HTML template. But they need more that and I can see that XOOPS - if I spend the time necessary - could provide the interactive capability that they require.
Many of those with Multiple Sclerosis are afflicted with vision troubles and one of the most difficult areas for me so far is trying to determine how to create a method for the visitor to select their "Visual Experience" - Standard Text, Large Text, Larger Text, or Reader format. I don't necessarily need that many options but that is the concept.
I realize that the most likely answer is creating several copies of the CSS files - each with a larger font choice - and letting the visitor choose which set to when they log on. But I am also curious as to whether anyone else has built, or has considered building a site (or even better - a Theme) that implements this kind of capability?
Continuing on that vien... I am just concentrating on the visual (readability) at this point... When considering Accessible websites what other kinds of issues should I be looking at? The thoughts that cross my mind now are:
1. The Visually Impaired (see above...)
a. Impaired
b. Total blindness
2. Physically Impaired
a. Hearing
b. Limbs (missing or paralyzed)
c. Control - (tremors, etc.)
What kind of controls might be implemented to assist visitors with these other impairments? I may have thought of the problem but have not really considered any real solutions. Those who have hearing issues should not really have problems with the browsing but where aural alerts were being used they would have to be replaced or supplemented with visual keys.
Those who are blind usually have "Reading" software that can help them - but as discussed in earlier threads you have to pay attention to the ALT tags so that the reader program can tell them what button they are passing over. But is there a set of instructions anywhere (I'm just now thinking of this so will go look but am asking here to keep the flow going) that cover such items of concern?
Anyways, if anyone here has built themes addressing these kind of issues I would like to hear about them.
If you have seen sites that have these concepts being used please let me know.
I thank you in advance for your advice and comments.
Hank