Our commitment to accessibility

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Accessibility feature

Alt attribute for images

All images in the website use the alt attribute in the HTML code which configures an alternative text description of the image. This allows the information to be available to everyone regardless of whether they can view the image, either because they are disabled, images are turned off or the technology being used cannot see the images (W3C, 2013). Screen reader applications can also read the text in alt attribute out loud (Felke-Morris, 2013, p. 140).

Future upgrade plan

An initiative to upgrade the website’s accessibility and security will involve the following:

1. Ensure all hyperlinks are descriptive and understandable (Felke-Morris, 2013, p. 140).
2. Ensure keyboard input is available for all functionality. This will allow all parts of the website to be accessed using the keyboard (W3C, 2013).
3. Ensure text transcripts are available for all audio files (W3C, 2013) and sub-titles for all video.
4. Ensure website is viewable by any browser or device by upgrading using XML.
5. Ensure website is secure by implementing an authentication process.

These upgrades are being implemented to ensure that our website can be accessed by everyone and used efficiently. In addition, we wish to protect the security of our website and its users by ensuring it is not vulnerable to attack. These upgrades ensure that the website complies with the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and the Australian Government Web Accessibility Policies and Guidelines.

The upgrades will be implemented on a system wide and page by page basis and users should experience no interruption to our service.

Advantages of this upgrade include:

• provides equal access and opportunity to everyone (W3C, 2013)
• ensures website is inclusive and accessible by people with disabilities
• ensures access by older users
• ensures access regardless of technology
• increases search results (W3C, 2013)
• increases audience reach.

Disadvantages of this upgrade are minimal and include:

• additional cost
• time and development.

References

Felke-Morris, T. (2013). Web development & design foundations with HTML5 (6^th Edition).             Pearson Education Inc.

W3C. (2013). Why: The case for web accessibility. Retrieved 30 May 2013                      from http://www.w3.org/standards/webdesign/accessibility.