Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Questions from Programmers

How can the graphic codes (Captchas), used by many forums and blogs during registration process, be made accessible for blind and visually impaired users?

Graphic codes are used to differentiate humans from machines and prevent automatic entries in the database. Dynamically generated images show a code consisting of letters and numbers, users must enter this in a text field during the registration process. The recognition of the drawing is not possible for blind users. The drawing is intentionally made unclear to prevent recognition by machines.

Often computing tasks are used as an alternative for validation. The tasks can impose accessibility restrictions on people with learning difficulties.

As an alternative to graphics, an MP3 file can be offered for visually impaired people. Using the audio file the user can listen to alphabets and numbers. Using a script in PHP, letters and numbers can be put together. Plug-ins for accessible Captchas can be found at website http://recaptchanet/. Using reCAPTCH a blind user is supported using audio test.

How can E-mail addresses on websites be protected from spam?

E-mail addresses can be made unfamiliar by conversion into ASCII code.  Using encryption the addresses can be made inaccessible to Internet spiders. Spiders search the Internet automatically for e-mails to use for spam mail. The source code will be read correctly by screen reader JAWS.

For the e-mail address info@web.de the following ASCII-Code would be used:

i n f o @ w e b . d e

Program for encryption of E-Mails:

www.xhtml-webdesign.de/php_encoder.php4

Can web designers test their Internet presence themselves using Screenreader? Where can they get this program?

A test version of the extensively used Screen-reader JAWS can be found on the website www.freedomsci.de. A full version can be used for 40 minutes for free, after restart of the computer.

A lot of time is needed for familiarisation with JAWS as it uses keyboard shortcuts for access.  A user test is highly recommended due to the high costs for familiarisation and as blind users' access the Internet differently than users with sight.

Questions from Graphic Designers

Where can I find guidelines on accessible design of Flash films?

www.sprungmarker.de/tags/barriere_freiheit/themenbereiche/flash/

www.adobe.com/de/accessibility/

Questions from online editors

How should numbers be shown so that they can be read by screenreaders in an understandable way?

Telephone numbers should be split in groups of two. Two digit numbers can be easier for the user to remember than six or seven digit numbers. 
WEB for ALL recommends grouping also when the representation deviates from the DIN standard.
Users should be the main focus of a web site. Even users with good vision can easily recognise grouped numbers more easily.

Example:

Non Accessible number : 06151 / 123432

Accessible number: 0 61 51 / 12 34 32

As per DIN 5008 time can be shown using colons. Screen reader JAWS reads the input "15:30 hr" as text "15 hr 30" correctly. The time is also read out correctly when a point is used to separate the hours from the minutes (15.30hr).

The input "2.2" gives the read out "2nd February". WEB for ALL recommends that the month be written (2. February) as the month is recognised by people with reading difficulties more easily.

Should all abbreviations be written down?

When an abbreviation is easier to understand than the full form, the full form and the title attribute can be ignored.  For most users for example the abbreviation "PDF" or "ISDN" is understandable as ' Portable Document Format' or 'Integrated Service Digital Network'. The meaning of technical terms can be explained in a dictionary.