Accessible web design		Content & navigation • HTML • Interactive & other media • WebCT accessibility issues • Validation

Content & navigation

The first consideration is for the organisation of content and navigation, with consistency the guiding principle.

Content

In a 1996 article (http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9606.html), Nielsen recommends that content should be organised in an 'inverted pyramid' structure - main points and conclusions readily accessible before complex elaborations of information . This relates to the educational principles espoused in Reigeluth's 'elaboration theory', which recommends the initial presentation of an 'epitome', to be followed by increasingly detailed 'elaboration' of subject matter.

While linear pathways through the subject matter may still be appropriate in many cases, structuring of content to permit alternative pathways will enhance the flexibility of learning, and utilise a major strength of online delivery.

Content formatting recommendations include:

• Content should be optimised for online access - reduced to digestible 'chunks' that will download quickly and can be easily read on screen.
• Consider lateral rather than linear navigation structures for ease of access.
• Ensure that prerequisite material is well identified and easy to access.
• Make the information also available in print or printable format (eg PDF, RTF or reformatted HTML), so that students may peruse and annotate material at leisure without requiring internet connection.
• Providing a copy of the site for offline browsing (as a zip file, for instance) may also be useful.
• Links within the text to external sites should have the full URL spelt out so that the reference makes sense on the printed page.
• Provide alternative access to large files that may be difficult to download, eg CD-ROM or video cassette for video material. Consider alternative formats for such content, eg a series of still images with audio track rather than full video.

Guidelines for Accessible Online Courses (link from EDTeC website) discusses organising content for online education.

Navigation

The following guidelines will ensure that navigation is available to all users:

• Conventional placement of navigation elements - at top and/or at the left side of page will improve usability/accessibility.
• Navigation should be clear and simple, with as much information available as possible through menu labelling and descriptions.
• Lateral navigation, that is, consistent choices available across all pages and at all levels, should be available, presented in a manner that clearly defines the user's location within the site at any point.
• Ensure that all navigation that relies on imagemaps or scripted elements (such as links in hidden layers triggered by javascript rollovers) is alternatively available as a text link.
• Links should be keyboard accessible for those unable to use a mouse.
• Graphics with navigation links (eg buttons) should have descriptive ALT text (eg 'go to Module 1' rather than 'button').
• Frames containing navigation elements should be appropriately titled (eg - 'main menu')

   

  For more issues relating to layout, formatting and using images, please go to the HTML page.