As I am making changes to my website by expanding my Story Section to include a variety of downloadable content (also refer to my XML upgrade page), I am also planning a general upgrade to improve accessibility and security.

Any reasonable person would agree that content on the World Wide Web (WWW) should be accessible to everyone, regardless of disability, so as to enjoy its myriad benefits. That's why one of the principle movers and shakers of the WWW, the W3 Consortium (W3C) has formulated accessibility standards for websites everywhere. If you are interested, you can check them out here: http://www.w3.org/WAI/

The W3C Web content accessibility standards involve four basic principles: It should be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust (available to many different computerised devices). One of the accessibility features I have used in my web design is the Alt Attribute for the pictures I have reproduced. For each picture, I insert an alternative: a short descriptive statement of its purpose in text. Screen readers and browsers for visually impaired people will then effectively communicate this text when reading the page. This therefore helps make my web content more robust.

The client part of my security upgrade will involve introducing authenticated access to the Story pages, to protect the security and integrity of the content. My stories will continue to be available free of charge, however customers will be required to register for password protected access. The disadvantage is that you will need to disclose details like email address and your name. However if you forget your password, a reset can be dispatched promptly to your email account. The advantage is that you can continue to enjoy reading my stories in the certainty that the content is pristine.

I am committed to continuous improvement and consider the feedback of customers valuable. So please feel free to contact me.