Starting from scratch (Full Version)

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rdouglass -> Starting from scratch (12/7/2007 14:29:44)

Hi all you accessibility folks,

I'm starting a new site from scratch that will cater to the Christian community, local, regional, (and globally I hope). I plan to include articles, member/church areas, scheduling events, etc.

I'm posting this as a request for any advice, pitfalls, tools, and methods that you folks would consider when building from the ground up. I intend to make this site fully accessible (or at least as much as *I* can) and I know designing for that from the beginning will much improve my chances for sucess.

Thanks much for all your input.



Tailslide -> RE: Starting from scratch (12/7/2007 16:09:59)

Hi Roger.

Ok so obviously css layouts rather than table layout.
Links for list of menu items
Skip link right at the start of the code either visible or AP'ed -999px left.
Labels around the inputs on a form (and pref no tables there either)
If you've got complex navigation then ensure it works for keyboard navigation and without JS (doesn't have to work exactly the same - just ensure that people can find pages).
Ensure the site works without images visible (be careful about background colours). If you use an image replacement method for banner image/logos/headings whatever then be careful as some are better than others.
Informational images are best kept in the markup - non-informational images best kept in CSS (obviously it's not always possible - but as a general rule)
Have a decent amount of contrast between background and text.
Don't use PX or PT etc for font-sizing - allow users to increase their text size in their browsers and plan for that in the layout of the site so that it doesn't break (either go for fluid layout or elastic layout).
If you need tables for tabular data then ensure you include helpful things like THs etc.
Use alt text properly (as a replacement for the image rather than a description of it).
Don't use title attributes unless you need them - they can end up being confusing if included unecessarily.


Things to avoid -
Accesskeys, tabindexes, flash navigation, JSonly navigation.

Personal Biases:
Don't bother with text-size widgets - if you want to use a styleswitcher then make it for a zoom stylesheet (goolge that term for a ton of stuff - basically single column, simplified layout, larger text, light on dark - for easier reading). I now include an accessibility page with details about how they can increase text size in different browsers using the whole give fish/teach how to fish thinking.

Basically I'd keep it simple and keep it semantic - you'll find it easier.

Course one thing to consider for this type of site is a WordPress site - it is PHP and I can't remember whether you're ASP only - but (depending on the theme) it generates semantic, fairly accessible code out of the box and can be added to or templated from scratch pretty easily. Might save a lot of work on your part.


Other stuff:

If you need a bulleting board - PunBB is fairly simple but produces pretty good code for a forum. SMF is more complex and far as I know not quite as nice code but still better than most.

If you've got PHP then use Mike Cherim's secure accessible contact form - very good for anti-spam and very nice code-wise.



jaybee -> RE: Starting from scratch (12/7/2007 17:29:51)

[sm=rofl6.gif]

What she said.



rdouglass -> RE: Starting from scratch (12/8/2007 10:30:13)

Great stuff to consider when starting a site from nothing. Thanks very much for your input. Won't be using PHP but rather will be using .NET throughout. I'm not ASP only but I've done very, very little PHP. So rather than use those products, I will probably use them as output guidelines.

Thanks again. [:)]



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