What could we do, moving forward, to ensure higher accessibility for website pages? In our Technology and Innovation class today we learned several ways to improve the accessible features of our sites.
Described Image:
The image above now has an ‘alt. text’ that describes it as such:
“An image of a distressed yellow-coloured disability sign for a parking space. Symbol is of a stick person in a wheel chair painted on dark, clean pavement with the person facing to the left.”
Author’s added described image
The image at the top of the page also has a description now that can be utilized to describe what the image depicts.
Closed Captioning in Videos
Another accessible tool is the use of ‘Closed Captioning’ which means embedding described video with real-time text appearing on the screen as the video plays.
Below is a video used as an example:
The closed captioning allows for people who are hard of hearing, D/deaf, have a hearing disability or challenge, and those who have audio and visual learning styles to access videos more easily.
The efforts made by able-bodied people to create more inclusive media and entertainment will never incapacitate them. It will, however, allow our ever-evolving world to be much more accessible for people who encounter barriers everyday.