The Accessibility of The Accessibility of Ohio Public & Ohio Public & Academic Library Academic Library Web Sites, Past & Web Sites, Past & PresentPresent Michael ProvidentiMichael Providenti

Robert Zai IIIRobert Zai IIIApril 28, 2008April 28, 2008

Leading QuestionsLeading Questions

Has web accessibility improved in the last 5 Has web accessibility improved in the last 5 years?years?

Are libraries trying to create pages that are Are libraries trying to create pages that are more accessible or pages that score well in more accessible or pages that score well in online accessibility testers?online accessibility testers?

Is there a correlation between the type of Is there a correlation between the type of library (academic public, academic private, & library (academic public, academic private, & public) & accessibility?public) & accessibility?

Is there a correlation between complexity Is there a correlation between complexity accessibility?accessibility?

Legal FrameworkLegal Framework

All private & public academic college and All private & public academic college and university libraries, as well as public university libraries, as well as public libraries are mandated to provide libraries are mandated to provide accessible web sites.accessible web sites. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation ActSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act Section 508 of the Rehabilitation ActSection 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Title II of the American with Disabilities Act Title II of the American with Disabilities Act

(ADA)(ADA) Procurement LawsProcurement Laws

Section 504 of the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation ActRehabilitation Act

Cannot discriminate individuals with disabilitiesCannot discriminate individuals with disabilities If your institution accepts any federal moneyIf your institution accepts any federal money

Named protections includeNamed protections include ParticipationParticipation BenefitsBenefits ActivitiesActivities ServicesServices ProgramsPrograms

SourcesSources 29 U.S.C. § 794 echoed in 29 U.S.C. § 701, 34 C.F.R. § 104.129 U.S.C. § 794 echoed in 29 U.S.C. § 701, 34 C.F.R. § 104.1 42 U.S.C. § 1213242 U.S.C. § 12132

Title II of the ADATitle II of the ADA

Cannot discriminate individuals with disabilitiesCannot discriminate individuals with disabilities If your institution is a “place of accommodation,” which includes…If your institution is a “place of accommodation,” which includes…

““libraries” libraries” ““undergraduate or postgraduate private school, or other place of undergraduate or postgraduate private school, or other place of

education”education” Named protections includeNamed protections include

GoodsGoods ServicesServices FacilitiesFacilities PrivilegesPrivileges AdvantagesAdvantages Accommodations Accommodations

SourcesSources 42 U.S.C. § 12182; echoed in 28 C.F.R. § 36.10142 U.S.C. § 12182; echoed in 28 C.F.R. § 36.101 42 U.S.C. § 12181 [7][J]; echoed in 28 C.F.R. § 36.10442 U.S.C. § 12181 [7][J]; echoed in 28 C.F.R. § 36.104

Exceptions?Exceptions?

““undue burden”undue burden” ““the subsequent substantial expense of the subsequent substantial expense of

providing access is not generally regarded providing access is not generally regarded as an undue burden when such cost could as an undue burden when such cost could have been significantly reduced by have been significantly reduced by considering the issue of accessibility at the considering the issue of accessibility at the time of the initial selection” time of the initial selection” 1997 Office for Civil Rights (OCR) letter to the 1997 Office for Civil Rights (OCR) letter to the

President of California State University (CSU) President of California State University (CSU)

Exceptions?Exceptions?

““effective communication”effective communication” ““the transfer of information, including… the the transfer of information, including… the

resources of the Internet” and outlined three basic resources of the Internet” and outlined three basic components of “effective communication,” components of “effective communication,” ““timeliness of delivery”timeliness of delivery” ““accuracy of the translation,”accuracy of the translation,” ““provision in a manner and medium appropriate to the provision in a manner and medium appropriate to the

significance of the message and the abilities of the significance of the message and the abilities of the individual with the disability.” individual with the disability.”

1997 OCR letter to the President of California State 1997 OCR letter to the President of California State University (CSU)University (CSU)

Exceptions?Exceptions?

““effective communication”effective communication” ““When looking at exactly which of its resources When looking at exactly which of its resources

a library is obligated to provide in an accessible a library is obligated to provide in an accessible medium, the short answer is any resources the medium, the short answer is any resources the library makes available to nondisabled patrons library makes available to nondisabled patrons must be made accessible to blind patrons. This must be made accessible to blind patrons. This includes the library catalogue, the archived includes the library catalogue, the archived microfiche, daily newspapers, and the Internet”microfiche, daily newspapers, and the Internet”

1997 OCR letter to the President of California State 1997 OCR letter to the President of California State University (CSU)University (CSU)

Section 508 of the Section 508 of the Rehabilitation ActRehabilitation Act

Based on the Web Accessibility Based on the Web Accessibility GuidelinesGuidelines

Defines what is AccessibleDefines what is Accessible

Procurement LawsProcurement Laws

States adopt Section 508 of the States adopt Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act as guidelines for Rehabilitation Act as guidelines for procurementprocurement Kentucky Kentucky CaliforniaCalifornia etc.etc.

EnforcementEnforcement

Department of Education - Office for Civil Department of Education - Office for Civil RightsRights http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.htmlhttp://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html Resolution LettersResolution Letters

Department of Justice - Project Civic AccessDepartment of Justice - Project Civic Access http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/civicac.htmhttp://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/civicac.htm Highland CountyHighland County

MethodologyMethodology

The Study ExaminedThe Study Examined Survey SetSurvey Set

The 10 largest Ohio Pubic 4-Year-Bachelor’s Degree-The 10 largest Ohio Pubic 4-Year-Bachelor’s Degree-Granting Institutions with a Library Web SiteGranting Institutions with a Library Web Site

Source: College SourceSource: College Source The 10 largest Ohio Private 4-Year-Bachelor’s Degree-The 10 largest Ohio Private 4-Year-Bachelor’s Degree-

Granting Institutions with a Library Web SiteGranting Institutions with a Library Web Site Source: College SourceSource: College Source

The 10 largest Ohio Pubic Libraries with a Library Web SiteThe 10 largest Ohio Pubic Libraries with a Library Web Site Source: State Library of OhioSource: State Library of Ohio

ScopeScope Examined only Library Home PageExamined only Library Home Page

DatesDates Examined 2003 & 2008Examined 2003 & 2008

Source: Current Page & the Way Back MachineSource: Current Page & the Way Back Machine

Methodology ToolsMethodology Tools

Section 508Section 508 Tester: Cynthia SaysTester: Cynthia Says

Web Content Accessibility GuidelinesWeb Content Accessibility Guidelines Tester: TAW3Tester: TAW3

(X)HTML Validity (X)HTML Validity Tester: W3C's HTML ValidatorTester: W3C's HTML Validator

Semantic (X)HTMLSemantic (X)HTML Tester: W3C’s Semantic Data ExtractorTester: W3C’s Semantic Data Extractor

Selected Manual TestsSelected Manual Tests Tester: Michael & Our Grease Monkey ScriptTester: Michael & Our Grease Monkey Script Access KeysAccess Keys Skip LinksSkip Links Presence of HeadersPresence of Headers

Methodology RationaleMethodology Rationale

Survey Set Survey Set 10 Largest Public & Private Academic, & Public 10 Largest Public & Private Academic, & Public

LibrariesLibraries ScopeScope

Library Home PagesLibrary Home Pages DatesDates

2003 & 20082003 & 2008 TestersTesters

Cynthia Says, TAW3, Cynthia Says, TAW3, W3C's HTML Validator, W3C's HTML Validator, W3C’s Semantic Data Extractor, & Manual Tests W3C’s Semantic Data Extractor, & Manual Tests (our Grease Monkey Script)(our Grease Monkey Script)

Grease Monkey ScriptGrease Monkey Script

Way Back MachineWay Back Machine

Document Type Document Type Definition & Markup Definition & Markup ErrorsErrors

Markup ValidatorMarkup Validator

2003 & 2007 Markup Errors 2003 & 2007 Markup Errors (Automated Test)(Automated Test)

27.5

57.9

29.4

67.7

58.7

84.8

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Public Academic Average Private Academic Average Public Average

2003 2008

Errors Against WCAG 1.0 Errors Against WCAG 1.0 & Section 508& Section 508

Common Section 508, Priority 1, Common Section 508, Priority 1, Priority 2, & Priority 3 ErrorsPriority 2, & Priority 3 Errors

Section 508Section 508 Priority 1Priority 1 Priority 2Priority 2 Priority 3Priority 3

(a) 1.1.1 - img / alt(a) 1.1.1 - img / alt

(a) 1.1.2 - input / (a) 1.1.2 - input / labellabel

(a) 1.1.3 - object / (a) 1.1.3 - object / elementelement

(a) 1.1.8 - area / alt(a) 1.1.8 - area / alt

(a) 1.1.9 - embed / (a) 1.1.9 - embed / noembednoembed

(m) 6.3.7 - embed / (m) 6.3.7 - embed / noembednoembed

(j) 7.1.2 - marquee(j) 7.1.2 - marquee

1.11.1 - img / alt - img / alt

6.3 - scripts, 6.3 - scripts, applets, etc.applets, etc.

3.1 - markup / 3.1 - markup / imagesimages

3.2 - validate3.2 - validate

3.3 - use css3.3 - use css

3.4 - relative units3.4 - relative units

3.5 - headers3.5 - headers

3.6 - list markup3.6 - list markup

7.3 - avoid 7.3 - avoid movementmovement

11.2 - deprecated11.2 - deprecated

12.3 - divide large 12.3 - divide large blocks of blocks of infoinfo

12.4 - labels12.4 - labels

1.5 - text 1.5 - text equivalents equivalents for client for client side image side image mapsmaps

4.3 - lang4.3 - lang

5.5 - table sums5.5 - table sums

5.6 - abbr for 5.6 - abbr for table table headersheaders

10.4 - place 10.4 - place holding text holding text in inputin input

Cynthia Says Section 508 Cynthia Says Section 508 ReportReport

TAW3 ReportsTAW3 Reports

2003 to 2008 Section 508, Priority 2003 to 2008 Section 508, Priority 1, Priority 2, & Priority 3 Average 1, Priority 2, & Priority 3 Average

ChangeChange (Automated Test) (Automated Test)

Section 508Section 508 Priority 1Priority 1 Priority 2Priority 2 Priority 3Priority 3

# of types of errors / # of instances# of types of errors / # of instances

Public Public Academic Academic 2003 to 20082003 to 2008

+ 0.5 / + 2.4+ 0.5 / + 2.4 + 0.5 / + 2.6+ 0.5 / + 2.6 - 1.7 / - 27.0- 1.7 / - 27.0 + 0.1 / + 0.7+ 0.1 / + 0.7

Private Private Academic Academic 2003 to 20082003 to 2008

+ 0.6 / - 22.5+ 0.6 / - 22.5 - 0.3 / - 24.2- 0.3 / - 24.2 - 0.3 / - 37.8- 0.3 / - 37.8 + 0.3 / - 2.2+ 0.3 / - 2.2

Public 2003 Public 2003 to 2008to 2008

+ 0.7 / + 3.3+ 0.7 / + 3.3 + 0.2 / + 1.4+ 0.2 / + 1.4 - 0.6 / - 9- 0.6 / - 9 + .05 / + 8.6+ .05 / + 8.6

2003 & 2008 Section 508, Priority 1, 2003 & 2008 Section 508, Priority 1, Priority 2, & Priority 3Priority 2, & Priority 3

Average Percentage of ChangeAverage Percentage of Change (Automated Test) (Automated Test)

Section 508Section 508 Priority 1Priority 1 Priority 2Priority 2 Priority 3Priority 3

# of types of errors / # of instances# of types of errors / # of instances

Public Public Academic Academic 2003 to 20082003 to 2008

+ 100% / + 267%+ 100% / + 267% + 250% / + 650%+ 250% / + 650% - 36% / - 37%- 36% / - 37% + 4% / + 9%+ 4% / + 9%

Private Private Academic Academic 2003 to 20082003 to 2008

+ 40% / - 74%+ 40% / - 74% - 25% / - 77%- 25% / - 77% - 7% / - 34%- 7% / - 34% + 12% / - 18%+ 12% / - 18%

Public 2003 Public 2003 to 2008to 2008

+ 58% / + 35%+ 58% / + 35% + 33% / + 16%+ 33% / + 16% - 13% / - 6%- 13% / - 6% + 24% / + 62%+ 24% / + 62%

Skip LinksSkip Links

Section 508 (o)Section 508 (o) WCAG (13.6)WCAG (13.6)

Skip LinksSkip Links

2003 & 2007 Skip Links2003 & 2007 Skip Links(Manual Test)(Manual Test)

1 1

0

4

1

3

0

10

Public Academic Average 2003 Private Academic Average 2003 Public Average 2003

2003 Skips 2008 Skips

Semantic Data & Semantic Data & StructureStructure

WCAG (WCAG (3.2 Validate, 3.5 Use headers, & 3.2 Validate, 3.5 Use headers, & 3.6 Use lists3.6 Use lists))

Semantic MarkupSemantic Markup

2003 & 2007 Semantic Outlines2003 & 2007 Semantic Outlines (Automated Test) (Automated Test)

0

5

4

2

000

10

Public Academic Average Private Academic Average Public Average

2003 2008

Complex ElementsComplex Elements

Complex ElementsComplex ElementsTables, ISMAP’s, CSS’s, Scripts, Access Keys, Object Parameters, Tables, ISMAP’s, CSS’s, Scripts, Access Keys, Object Parameters,

Abbreviations, PRE’s, Marquees, Images, Image Maps, Inputs, Areas, and Abbreviations, PRE’s, Marquees, Images, Image Maps, Inputs, Areas, and Embeds (Grease Monkey Counts)Embeds (Grease Monkey Counts)

41.8

58.650

32.136.6

60.2

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Public Academic Average Private Academic Average Public Average

2003 2007

Alt TagsAlt Tags

Complex ElementsComplex ElementsImages, Image Maps, Areas, & AltsImages, Image Maps, Areas, & Alts

(Manual Counts*) (Manual Counts*)

47.2

35.228.6

13.3

26.5

14.7 16.5

33.8

11.5 10.6

21.7

29.9

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Public Academic Average Private Academic Average Public Average

2003 Elements 2003 Alts 2008 Elements 2008 Alts

Complex ElementsComplex ElementsInputs, Alts & Labels Inputs, Alts & Labels

(Manual Counts*)(Manual Counts*)

1.2 1

0.1 0.1 0.1

3.5

2.1

3.1

2

0.20.9

1.6

0

10

Public Academic Average Private Academic Average Public Average

2003 Inputs 2003 Alts & Labels 2008 Inputs 2008 Alts & Labels

Page SizePage Size

Page Size in Kb’sPage Size in Kb’s

370 392460

371323

683

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Public Academic Average Private Academic Average Public Average

2003 2007

Summary of SurveySummary of Survey

4 Common Errors4 Common Errors

MissingMissing Alternative TextAlternative Text Input LabelsInput Labels Skip LinksSkip Links Semantic MarkupSemantic Markup

A Crass Generalization:A Crass Generalization:2003 Versus 20082003 Versus 2008

Errors Errors AgainstAgainst

Valid Valid (X)HTML(X)HTML

Section Section 508508

ErrorsErrors

Priority Priority 11

ErrorsErrors

Priority Priority 22

ErrorsErrors

Priority Priority 33

ErrorsErrors

Skip Skip LinksLinks

UseUse

Semantic Semantic OutlineOutline

UseUse

Number Number of of

Complex Complex ElementsElements

Page Page SizeSize

Public Public AcademicAcademic ↑↑ ↑↑ ↑↑ ↓↓ ↔↔ ↑↑ ↑↑ ↓↓ ↔↔

Private Private AcademicAcademic ↔↔ ↑↑ ↓↓ ↓↓ ↔↔ ↔↔ ↑↑ ↓↓ ↓↓

PublicPublic ↑↑ ↑↑ ↑↑ ↓↓ ↑↑ ↑↑ ↑↑ ↑↑ ↑↑

Proxy Measurement Proxy Measurement CaveatsCaveats

Discrepancies between Cynthia Says, Discrepancies between Cynthia Says, TAW3, & our Grease Monkey ScriptTAW3, & our Grease Monkey Script Explicit LabelsExplicit Labels ALTs?ALTs?

Are Pages that Test Well are “Truly Are Pages that Test Well are “Truly Accessible,” & Vice Versa?Accessible,” & Vice Versa? Subjective vs. ObjectiveSubjective vs. Objective ALTsALTs

Common “Free” ToolsCommon “Free” Tools

GeneralGeneral W3C's "Complete List of Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools“W3C's "Complete List of Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools“

http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tools/completehttp://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tools/complete WebAIM's "A Review of Free, Online Accessibility Tools“WebAIM's "A Review of Free, Online Accessibility Tools“

http://www.webaim.org/articles/freetools/http://www.webaim.org/articles/freetools/ Valid HTMLValid HTML

W3C Markup Validation ServiceW3C Markup Validation Service http://validator.w3.org/http://validator.w3.org/

Web Accessibility GuidelinesWeb Accessibility Guidelines TAW3 onlineTAW3 online

http://www.tawdis.net/taw3/cms/enhttp://www.tawdis.net/taw3/cms/en Section 508 ComplianceSection 508 Compliance

Cynthia SaysCynthia Says http://www.cynthiasays.comhttp://www.cynthiasays.com

Semantic MarkupSemantic Markup Semantic Data ExtractorSemantic Data Extractor

http://www.w3.org/2003/12/semantic-extractor.htmlhttp://www.w3.org/2003/12/semantic-extractor.html Browser Plug-insBrowser Plug-ins

Firefox Accessibility Extension 1.01Firefox Accessibility Extension 1.01 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1891https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1891

Conclusions?Conclusions?

Has web accessibility improved in the last 5 Has web accessibility improved in the last 5 years?years?

Are libraries trying to create pages that are Are libraries trying to create pages that are more accessible or pages that score well in more accessible or pages that score well in online accessibility testers?online accessibility testers?

Is there a correlation between the type of Is there a correlation between the type of library (academic public, academic private, & library (academic public, academic private, & public) & accessibility?public) & accessibility?

Is there a correlation between complexity Is there a correlation between complexity accessibility?accessibility?

Questions?Questions?

The Accessibility of The Accessibility of Ohio Public & Ohio Public & Academic Library Academic Library Web Sites, Past & Web Sites, Past & PresentPresent Michael ProvidentiMichael Providenti

Robert Zai IIIRobert Zai IIIApril 28, 2008April 28, 2008