The Underscore Archives

On 29/11/06, Chris Brock <chris.brock at gmail.com> wrote:
> Ive been a bit out of the loop recently (12 months - head in research
> work, not practical stuff) ..and wondered if a few switched on people
> from the wonders of underscore could give me a few pointers..
>
> Its a possibility that I will be involved in the development of a
> secondary school website, which they want to link in with an intranet
> and a VLE..!!! not sure what I need to consider here....
>
> could anyone run over key issues that might be needed to be considered
> with this, for example:
>
> [1] To what extent will a new school website need to meet the DDA and
> SENDA acts? - 100% or less!?? - this I am unsure of ...

Not sure on this one. I suspect they would need to comply, but you'll
get a more definitive answer from someone on WebAIM.org or
www.accessifyforum.com

> [2] What would be the best way for me to approach developing a
> DDA/SENDA CERTIFIED website, will this still be through using BOBBY /
> W3C and avoiding javascript? or not? any pointers on this?

Probably not. There are sites that tick all the checklist boxes yet
still remain inaccessible. Some checkpoints actually mitigate against
accessibility (e.g. accesskeys, due to the current, flawed
implementation in browsers).

Better to read, mark and inwardly digest www.diveintoaccessibility.org

> [3] Does anyone have any experience of developing for schools? what
> would be worth considering here?

Can't help on this one, I'm afraid.

> [4] I was thinking that providing alternative colour schemes & or Font
> increase options +  using a TEXT only script such as BETSY? (bbc -
> text only viewer) ? might be good ?

Nah - alt style sheets are the way to go - e.g. big, stark and chunky layouts:
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/lowvision/

It's perfectly possible to have one site that meets the needs of
"regular" users (using "regular" desktop browsers) and users of AT
(assistive technology).

Separate "text-only" sites/interpreters are not only unnecessary but
also rather less than inclusive to those they're trying to help.

> I have no idea about developing an intranet, from what I gather they
> want a way to access staff resources from home/at work, what might I
> need to use here?

SSL, I'd have thought ;) That'd be an extranet, then, anyway.

> Does anyone know anything about SIMS VLE?, ive only used
> BB,WEBCT,MOODLE? ....do they develop these to accessibility
> standards...

Again - no experience here, I'm afraid. Ask at the above mentioned
accessibility communites.

> The whole accessibility thing bothers me, i know hoe much it could
> impact on development time, and thsi will be an issue with school
> costs...how to deal with this....!?

It will influence your choice of third-party software (LMS etc.). For
the stuff you're building yourself, however, if you do it right
everyone benefits, not just the few "disabled" people.

> Any help very much appreciated..?

Of course - it always is, isn't it? :p

Tim