Avoiding Common Website Accessibility Mistakes

With an aging population and the use of computers and mobile devices by blind and visually impaired people on the rise, the importance of a website that is universally accessible to all cannot be understated. Considering accessibility at design time will give your brand a potential wider audience as well as improve the likelihood of higher search engine placement.

Despite the most well-intentioned website designer, we often run into situations where a website becomes difficul or even impossible to navigate or use. Here are a few common mistakes we've seen that can be easily corrected.

Label your Links

To a seasoned web designer, the use of alt tags may seem like elementary knowledge. Still, we see websites every day that neglect to label the links in their navigation bar or give descriptions for important images. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind.

• Include alt tags for all links. The tag should be the name of the link. Do not include the word "link" in the alt tag, as screen access software will already convey this information.


• Include alt tags for important images. These may include pictures of a building or of a product. Give a concise description of the image.


• Use an empty alt tag for Aesthetics such as dividers or image placeholders. If it does not add any redeeming value to your content, it's best to just hide it.


• For logos or word graphics, use the words that appear in the logo or picture as the alt tag.

Use of Headings

While there is no firm guideline on the use of headings, it is generally a good practice to use headings to separate major sections of a web page. Be consistent when using heading levels on your site. Include a heading above the main body of each web page and make this a level one heading. Screen readers include commands to jump to a specific heading level. If a web page includes search results or article headlines, use heading tags at the beginning of each article. The Google search results web page is a good example of this design in practice. If you do not want to alter the visual appearance of a website, use a style sheet to change the appearance of your heading text.

Music on Web Pages

There are few things more annoying to a blind person browsing a website than a loud musical interlude or video playing while they are trying to navigate. Blind users utilize screen readers to read the text that appears on a web page. If music or a video plays as soon as the website is opened, it is difficult or impossible to hear the speech.

Flash Content

Some websites are designed entirely or mostly in Flash. Not only does this pose an accessibility nightmare, it also makes your site difficult or impossible to be indexed by Google and other search engines. While mechanisms exist to create accessible Flash content, not all screen access software interprets the content equally or at all. While Flash may be acceptable for some video content, it's best to use other avenues for creating your site.

Conclusion

Following the above guidelines will give you a tremendous head start in designing your website for universal accessibility. That being said, there is no true substitute for website accessibility testing. A T Guys offers accessibility testing for your website by humans, not a machine. Our testing includes the use of multiple screen readers on both Windows and Mac computers as well as today's popular mobile devices. Please call us at (269) 216-4798 or send us a message to learn more.

A T Guys now Taking Preorders for Custom-fitted Leather iBill Case

A T Guys, a leader in affordable assistive technology solutions, has announced the availability of a custom-fitted leather case for the popular iBill Banknote Identifier. Preorders are now being accepted at the A T Guys website or via the phone, and the cases are expected to ship by August 1.

The TurtleBack Orbit iBill Case is a form fit custom leather case, designed to enable
the user to easily use the Orbit iBill while in the case. The leather iBill Case
will provide security, durability and will protect the unit in bad weather and breakage. Two snaps hold the iBill snugly inside the case while a belt clip allows for additional flexibility.

"We are pleased to partner with A T Guys to produce high-quality leather cases for the iBill, and take great pride in providing the best possible technology protection and peace of mind," commented Brian J. Eremita of Executive Products. Executive Products has developed a reputation for producing custom cases for a variety of technology products and produces their products in the USA.

The case is available for a preorder price of $19.99 plus shipping. Orders are now being accepted at http://www.atguys.com or by phone at (269) 216-4798. A T Guys is also a distributor of the iBill Banknote Identifier.

A T Guys offers a growing array of affordable technology products and accessories for consumers and professionals including the customized BCScan bar code scanner, SpeedDots tactile screen protectors for the iPhone, the KNFB Reader Mobile, the Window-Eyes screen reader from GW Micro, Code Factory's Mobile Speak and Mobile Geo solutions for cell phones, the Duxbury Braille Translator, portable book players and magnifiers from Hims, and much more. Customized support and training is also available upon request.

Exhibitors Wanted for First Ever Michigan Vision Expo in Kalamazoo

A T Guys is pleased to suppor a new opportunity to learn about the latest in technology and services for the blind and visually impaired. Applications are now being accepted for the first ever Michigan Vision Expo. The event will showcase the latest in assistive technology, resources, and other services which can benefit the lives of those who are blind, visually impaired, or losing their vision. Try out the latest portable magnifiers or talking computers, learn about local organizations serving the visually impaired, and meet successful
blind and visually impaired adults.

The event will be held on Saturday, October 1 from 10 A.M.-4 P.M. at the Kalamazoo Public Library in downtown Kalamazoo. The location is ADA accessible and convenient to public transportation. For more information or to register as an exhibitor, please visit http://www.michiganvisionexpo.org.

We look forward to your comments and suggestions, and welcome any companies or organizations who wish to assist in planning this event.

iPhone Tactile Screen Protectors are Here; Preorder and Pick Up in Orlando or Reno

A T Guys is pleased to offer much requested tactile screen protectors for the iPhone, available from a new, reliable source. Place your preorder now and pick up your protector at the NFB or ACB national conventions. Note if you will not be attending one of these conventions, we plan to begin shipping after July 15. Use coupon code Orlando for the NFB convention or Reno for the ACB convention.

Produced by Speed Dots, our custom screen overlays
provide guidance and facilitate navigation of touchscreen devices by placing a single
dot over each letter and control, making it easier than ever before for blind and
visually impaired individuals using the Voiceover screenreader to both orient, as
well as input text and access screen controls quickly and efficiently. Our standard
overlay contains a dot on each letter and input control while our advanced overlay
contains similar markings on buttons and input controls, however only the letters
F and J on the virtual keyboard will contain raised dots.

Why use a tactile screen protector?

While it is true that a blind or visually impaired person does not require tactile feedback to use a touchscreen with voiceover, We have discovered that placing single Braille dots in a few key locations on the
screen can provide a noticeable increase in speed and productivity. If you are new to the touchscreen environment, or dislike the fact that there are no physical buttons on your phone, , then the tactile screen protector can offer both a practical, and affordable solution for you!

How And Why?

While apple has done a great job making its touch screens fully accessible to blind and visually impaired users, , simply placing raised
dots on the surface of the screen in a few key locations can help individuals input text and information accurately and confidently! Apple, along with many third-party developers typically place buttons in the same locations, which we are subsequently able to mark with a small, raised Braille dot. These tiny dots can be easily felt, but in no way obstruct a sighted person's view of the screen as our screen protectors are clear. This makes it easy for you to share your phone with sighted friends, colleagues, family members, etc., without interfering with the phone's operation

Below is a list of the dots and what they represent:

• Top Left: back/ cancel
  
• Top Right: ok /done
  
• Top Center: search/heading/Safari address bar
  
• Center of Screen: number 5 on the phone pad.
  
• Middle Right: send button for text messages
  
• Across the Bottom: 5 evenly spaced dots representing soft key functions.
  
• Lower Left: Shift
  
• Lower right: Delete/Backspace
  

• (All of the keys listed above are marked identically on both the Standard and Advanced models of our tactile screen protectors.)
  
  

• Virtual Keyboard (Standard): Each letter is marked with a single dot, with the exception of letters F and J, which are blank and contain no dots. Many users like this layout, as frequently, the dots can be used to represent other points of reference when the keyboard is not enabled.
  
  
• Virtual Keyboard (Advanced): This configuration contains dots on the letters F and J *ONLY*. Users also like this configuration because it is less cluttered, yet still provides the ability to orient to the center row of keys quickly while typing.
  

Note: Both keyboard options are available. Please be sure to select the correct product when placing your order.

If you are new to the iPhone's layout, or have any questions about either the Standard or Advanced tactile screen protectors, please e-mail support@atguys.com or call (269) 216-4798.

We are also still taking preorders for virtually anything else in our catalog, including the iBill money identifier and BCScan bar code scanner. Visit http://www.atguys.com for details.

A T Guys will be exhibiting at table A-1 at the NFB convention in Orlando and booth65 at the ACB convention in Reno. Stop by to say hello and check out our latest products.

A T Guys Now Offering Hims Products including BookSense, BrailleSense OnHand

A T Guys is proud to now be an official distributor for Hims products including the Sense notetakers and the BookSense digital book players. We've used the BookSense in our office since its release and are happy to now have the opportunity to offer it to our customers. Plus, shipping is always free on any BookSense product. To learn more about the three BookSense models available or to place an order, visit our BookSense page.

In addition, A T Guys is now the exclusive Michigan distributor for the BrailleSense OnHand, VoiceSense QWERTY, and BrailleSense Plus notetakers. Please call (269) 216-4798 for more information on these products.

Horizons for the Blind and A T Guys Join Forces to Launch Cutting Edge Product Information using Bar Codes

Contact: Byron Lee
Marketing/Development, Horizons for the Blind
815-444-8800
blee@horizons-blind.org

J.J. Meddaugh
President, A T Guys
269-216-4798
jj@atguys.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Horizons for the Blind and A T Guys Join Forces to Launch Cutting Edge Product Information using Bar Codes
Partnership gives easy access to accessible packaging information using Directionsforme and BCScan

March 16, 2011 – CRYSTAL LAKE, IL and KALAMAZOO, MI – Two of the leading providers of accessible packaging information have joined forces to provide a new cutting-edge service for the blind and visually impaired.

Horizons for the Blind, a Crystal Lake, Ill based not-for-profit organization and founder of directionsformeTM (www.directionsforme.org), and A T Guys, a leading assistive technology company and founder of BCScan (www.bcscan.com), have introduced a new service which will allow consumers to use a bar code scanner to identify products and retrieve accessible packaging information.

"The minute we first heard about Directionsforme, we were simply blown away and knew it would be a perfect fit for our bar code scanning solution. We're delighted to be working with Horizons on such an important and life-changing project," commented J.J. Meddaugh, president of A T Guys and a frequent user of the service.

Now, users can visit either directionsforme.org or bcscan.com and use a bar code scanner to quickly look up product information. The combined resource gives access to product details and packaging information for millions of products using an affordable, USB-based bar code scanner. In addition, the websites are continually updated with new information, giving the user lifetime updates for free.

Using an omni-directional scanning pattern, the bar code scanner continually scans items for a code, making it a snap to use without vision. Most users are able to master the scanner in just a few minutes.

The bar code scanner is compatible with a wide range of devices, including both Windows and Macintosh-based computers and popular notetakers such as the HumanWare BrailleNote, Hims BrailleSense, and LevelStar Icon.

Directions is the brainchild of Camille Caffarelli, Founder and Executive Director of Horizons. Caffarelli, who has been blind since birth, believes that everyone has the right to equal access to this information.

“I can't begin to tell you how exciting it is to make my favorite cake mix any time I want without asking a sighted person to read the directions!” Caffarelli said. “And I never knew how much relevant information was on that box.”

This important information is often ignored because of the difficulty in seeing it. Some of this information is of a convenient nature but drug interaction and allergy warnings could be life threatening. Gaining comprehensive access fosters self sufficiency and allows consumers to lead more healthy and independent lives.

The easy-to-use system makes directionsformeTM with BCScan appealing to a wide range of consumers. With the amount of information on consumer products increasing dramatically and the print size decreasing just as significantly, many consumers, particularly the growing senior population, are having trouble reading the information on packages and labels.

Through a licensing agreement with Gladson, Directions features over 360,000 products in food, health/beauty and general merchandise categories. It provides consumers a consistent, one-stop source for preparation directions, nutrition facts, ingredients, allergy/drug interaction warnings and more.

BCScan includes product information for more than 10 million items, including over 5 million books from ISBNDB.com, product information from online merchants, and user submissions. BCScan offers information such as CD track listings, book summaries, and package details as well as the ability to maintain a personal inventory and add private notes to items.

For more information about obtaining a barcode scanner for use with this new innovative service, you may visit www.horizons-blind.org or www.atguys.com.

About Horizons for the Blind
Horizons, located in Crystal Lake, Ill., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired, by increasing accessibility to consumer information, education, recreation and employment. Horizons specializes in partnering with companies and nonprofit organizations to provide billing and financial statements, newsletters, restaurant menus and hotel directories in a variety of accessible formats. As a leading provider of accessible transcription services to the business community, Horizons processes over 25,000 billing statements a month in braille, large print and audio formats for financial institutions, utility companies, cable TV and cell phone providers.

About A T Guys
A T Guys, located in Kalamazoo, Mich., is a leading provider of innovative technology solutions, with an emphasis on mobile productivity. The company's vision is to provide affordable, high-quality technology and services to consumers coupled with top-notch customer support and training. A T Guys is a distributor for Code Factory, the iBill money identifier, the KNFB Reader Mobile, Sendero GPS, and the Duxbury Braille Translator. In addition, the company administers several popular informational resources including Blind Bargains, a clearinghouse for deals and news for the blind and visually impaired, and Android Access, a website dedicated to accessible Android cell phones.

A T Guys Adds Calendar of Events

A T Guys participates in many conferences and events both across the country and online. Now, we've added a handy page which lists our upcoming events. Simply visit http://www.atguys.com/events to learn what's coming up. If you know of or host an event, we'd love to hear about it.

A T Guys now offering Affordable, Like-new Perkins Braille Writers with Warranty

A T Guys is pleased to offer the classic, high-quality Perkins Braille Writer at
a very competitive price. All braillers are like-new and have been reconditioned
by an experienced braille repair technician. We also include a one year warranty
against defects to give you added peace of mind.

The classic Perkins Brailler has withstood the test of time, acting as the prefered
writing tool for the blind and visually impaired for decades. These heavy-duty writing
tools are built to last and remain a fixture in homes and schools across the world.

Braille literacy leads to increased employment opportunities and a better understanding
of the English language. The Perkins Braille Writer is an essential tool for children
or adults learning braille, or for anyone who wants to quickly write down information.
We not only sell these braillers, but also use one in our office.
New braille writers can cost over $700. Save with A T Guys and take home a quality,
like-new braille writer today for only $299.

For more information, please visit our product page or give us a call at (269) 216-4798.