Newsletter issue #46 - 2nd January 2008
This issue
Hello and welcome to the January edition of the Webcredible newsletter!
In this issue:
- Feature article: 10 common errors when implementing accessibility
- Top tip: Increase the size of link targets
- Useful program: IE Tab
- Top link: DomainTools Whois
- New articles in December
- Webcredible news in December
Enjoy!
Feature article: 10 common errors when implementing accessibility
Web developers often make the same errors as each other when implementing accessibility. Although they're trying their hardest sometimes their overzealousness gets in the way and actually hinders the accessibility of their websites. This month's feature article explores these common errors highlighting how you can avoid making the same mistakes.
Read this article in full at www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources/web-accessibility/errors.shtml.
Top tip: Increase the size of link targets
Increasing the size of link targets wherever possible makes it easier for all users to click on links. This is particularly true for users with motor impairments, who often have limited ability to aim at small link targets. There are a number of ways you can increase link targets:
- Include images Links sometimes have decorative images placed next to them. This is especially true for links to product pages on ecommerce sites, where an image of the product is placed next to the text link to it. By making sure that the image is also included in the same link as any adjacent link text a much larger area is clickable.
- Use the full width of a column The clickable area of links in a vertical list can be expanded so as to be the full width of the column, even if the text is relatively short. For example, the clickable area for each link in a list of navigation links in the left hand column should span the full width of the column. This can easily be achieved by converting each of the links into block level elements in the CSS.
- Use JavaScript JavaScript can also be used to increase the clickable area of a link so that adjacent text/images are clickable too. This can be useful when a link has a short description of its destination page underneath it so that the link text and the description both become clickable.
Useful program: IE Tab
IE Tab is a Firefox extension that allows you to switch to a new tab to see how a website looks in Internet Explorer. If you like to develop websites with Firefox then this useful add-on allows you to quickly view how your site is looking in Internet Explorer as you develop.
Download this useful program from ietab.mozdev.org
Top link: DomainTools Whois
The DomainTools Whois provides a wealth of information about any website including its SEO score, links on Wikipedia, related sites and lots more!
Check out this website at whois.domaintools.com.
New articles in December
Read this and many other articles at www.webcredible.co.uk/user-friendly-resources.
Webcredible news in December
- Ecommerce accessibility report available for download
Read this news stories in full at www.webcredible.co.uk/about-us/latest-news.shtml.
Training courses
Courses continue to sell out well in advance! Our next training courses will take place in our training centre in Aldgate, London in January, February, March & April:
- Usability testing training - Monday 21st January & Wednesday 2nd April. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our usability testing training page.
- Web writing training - Tuesday 22nd January, Monday 25th February & Monday 31st March. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our intermediate web writing training page.
- Web usability training - Wednesday 23rd January, Tuesday 26th February & Tuesday 1st April. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our web usability training page.
- Web accessibility training - Thursday 24th January, Wednesday 27th February & Wednesday 2nd April. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our web accessibility training page.
- Intermediate CSS training - Thursday 24th January, Thursday 28th February & Thursday 3rd April. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our intermediate CSS training page.
- Advanced CSS training - Friday 25th January, Friday 29th February & Friday 4th April. For more information and to reserve your place before it fills up please consult our advanced CSS training page.
About Webcredible
Based in London, UK, Webcredible is a user experience consultancy. Tailor-made usability, accessibility & design solutions include:
- User research
- User-centered design
- Accessible CSS web design
- Training courses & support
- Website reviews
- Usability lab hire
Please contact us on 020 7423 6320 or info at webcredible.co.uk, or consult www.webcredible.co.uk for further information.
