Striving for Bobby's approval...

[Daniel T]

Hello. I just tried checking for accessibility on my site with Bobby, and I don't understand what the errors mean.

http://bobby.watchfire.com/bobby/bobbyServlet?URL=http%3A%2F%2F216.36.173.149%2F&output=Submit&gl=wcag1-aaa&test=

Could someone tell me what I need to do? Thanx,
-Dan

[Jona]

Priority 1 user checks:

 4. It's talking about images, make sure they're readable.
 5. It's talking about images again, add LONGDESC="url" to it, if you feel it necessary, though it probably isn't.

Priority 2 Accessibility:

 1. Don't use onclick, unless you include return false in the onclick, and the address goes to a page about why the link exists for people without JavaScript.
 2. It's talkin' about your comments links, have it say something like, "See comments on entry number n" where n is equivalent to the entry ID number.

Priority 2 user checks:

 1. Don't use popups; if you do, make sure the user knows before it pops up.
&nbsp;2. Don't use <h1> to get big, bold text.
&nbsp;3. Talkin' about your background images now. Make sure they contrast with the text enough so that the text can be read.
&nbsp;4. If you quote someone, use the Q or BLOCKQUOTE tags.
&nbsp;5. It's going to say this for any GIF image you have on your page, just ignore it (unless the GIF image blinks or is animated).

Priority 3 user checks:

&nbsp;1. If you've like got an eBook going here, provide META tags that specify the next chapter, previous chapter, index, and help page. You'll need this for a blog (next entry, previous entry, archives, sitemap), since it's basically a journal/book type of thing.
&nbsp;2. Use TABINDEX and ACCESSKEY for any and all form elements, links, or other objects.
&nbsp;3. If you use any abbreviations or acronyms, for example "etc." or "LOL," use the ABBR and ACRONYM tags, respectively.
&nbsp;4. Any list of links you have, for example navigation, provide a link that will skip them and go directly to the content; alternatively, place the navigation of your site at the end of the code, and position it with CSS appriopriately.
&nbsp;5. Same as four.

Hope that helps.

[Robert Wellock]

What actually to you plan to achieve by getting your site Bobby Approved, more advertisings for a commercial product? The robot itself has many failings.

[Daniel T]

Originally posted by Robert Wellock
What actually to you plan to achieve by getting your site Bobby Approved, more advertisings for a commercial product? The robot itself has many failings.
GRRRR! I knew you would say that :p What do I plan to achieve? Well, no offense, but I think it looks better to have a "Bobby AAA Aproved" icon on my site than text saying "Robert Wellock Approved". Although, both would be great;)
-Dan

[Robert Wellock]

I wouldn't worry too much I was just asking why you were choosing a higher-level robot label rather than the WCAG variety. It's just probably unfortunate they use Bobby AAA because it's quite different from WCAG AAA.

"Robert Wellock Approved" well I'd seriously worry if you were aiming towards that level though it is possible.
;)

[Ben Rogers]

I hate the Bobby Validator, it is junk, and the creator should be beaten about the head with numerous heavy objects. I've had this exact same problem ( http://www.webdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33899) and Jona gave me that same kind of answer :p, and he also re-reccomended the Cynthia Says validator.

[Daniel T]

I can't use Cynthia, because I am a resident of Canada, and Cynthia only complies with American Accessibility standards. Accessibility standards are different from country to country, keep in mind.
-Dan

[Ben Rogers]

Yes, but it's still a good idea... seeing as the BV isn't doing you much good. And, besides, Canada practically is American... I don't think the accesibility standards are too different... but what do I know?

[Jona]

The validators help you find areas you should look into, but they're nowhere near perfect. I'd say validate your site with the bots, but see if you can ask a disabled person what it's like for them.

[Ben Rogers]

True about the bots, though I doubt anyone has that option; and are you sure it wouldn't insult a disabled person to ask them about their experiences? It's kind of like asking someone who underwent something unfortunate to tell you their story: sure, they'd do it, but why would they want to relive that, or in this case have their misfortune pointed out? I know this isn't an actual issue, but I thought of it, so I thought I'd see your opinions on that.

But about it not being an option, who here know any vision impaired, or movement impaired person? I know my grandfather who's blind, but he doesn't use the internet at all. Would be useful to have their POV, but still... you know?

[Jona]

Omega, that's the purpose of www.accessifyforums.com - I don't know anyone, personally, with disabilities, but the users there can be of much more help than any robot could ever hope to be.

Also, about disabled people being put on the spot, I'd say that it depends on the kind of person it is. Some people get offended easily, but a lot of them (or so I hope) would be glad to I'm sure if you explained to them that the only reason you pointed it out was to help them and their experiences on the Web. I mean think about it, they'd like that, wouldn't they? I know I'd be thankful that someone thought about me. Perhaps not all people, though...

[Ben Rogers]

True, again. As for accessifyforums.com, I didn't know about that until you told me.. tnx for the linkage.

[Jona]

Welcome. :)

[Robert Wellock]

Well, you wouldn't insult me if you asked and yes I have a disability - so I am sure you do know people that have disabilities. ;)

[Ben Rogers]

Rob, you have a disability? If you don't mind me asking, what is it? (If you do mind me asking just ignore that question, please... flaming == bad :p) Heh, another reason you're a great accesibility guru :)

<offtopic>
As for LP... check your offline messages.
</offtopic>

[Robert Wellock]

No, I don't mind and I've answered this question many times on this forum, it's one of the most common disabilities you'd find in the general population and I know of at least two other people on these forums that have the same special learning difficulty.

Albeit it wasn't until I got to University I was diagnosed, but that was mainly because I am so intelligent that it offset of the disability so it wasn't discovered.

Fundamentally I am touching the genius category for intellect though because of being dyslexic I'm am just considered very-intelligent for most real world applications.

Yes, having this particular "gift" does give me an unfair advantage when analysing websites for accessibility but that is the main reason why I know what am talking about; not second-guessing or trying to interpret the results of a robot validator, or checklist, etc.

When a Blind Man Carries a Lame Man, Both go Forward.

[Daniel T]

Originally posted by Robert Wellock
Albeit it wasn't until I got to University I was diagnosed, but that was mainly because I am so intelligent that it offset of the disability so it wasn't discovered.

Fundamentally I am touching the genius category for intellect though because of being dyslexic I'm am just considered very-intelligent for most real world applications.

Yes, having this particular "gift" does give me an unfair advantage when analysing websites for accessibility but that is the main reason why I know what am talking about; not second-guessing or trying to interpret the results of a robot validator, or checklist, etc.

When a Blind Man Carries a Lame Man, Both go Forward.
Well don't be modest or anything :rolleyes: :p
-Dan

[Ben Rogers]

LOL, Dan. I think I'll just go with Rob doesn't let his disabilities hold him back. :D As for Dyslexia... all I know is the name so I can't infer anything about what it is like to have it, or what it does.

[Jona]

http://www.madeforall.com/archives/000013.html

[Robert Wellock]

It makes learning hard as it is cognitive basically my brain is physically wired differently so my memory stores data in the wrong places.

Though many famous people were/are dyslexic here are a few: Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, Winston Churchill, Sir Richard Branson of Virgin International, John Chambers President of Cisco Systems, Michael Faraday, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, John F. Kennedy, George Washington, Hans Christian Andersen, Henry Ford and Robin Williams.

It makes life more interesting when your get such hindrance and you cannot reach your full academic potential due to such things, but schools are generally designed to teach the non dyslexic. :D