EASI Webinar: Twitter And Web Accessibility
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The document discusses Twitter and accessibility issues with the main Twitter website. It summarizes an accessible alternative called AccessibleTwitter.com, which fixes many of the problems by making the site fully accessible via keyboard, screen readers, and without JavaScript. It also provides positive quotes from users about AccessibleTwitter.com and its usability.
![Quotes from Users “ You can easily navigate by several methods; skip links, form fields, headings. Very effective with a screen reader.” [and now ARIA] “ really easy with a Braille Display to use” “ From now on my default web interface for Twitter! Keyboard accessible == touch accessible!”](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/twitterandwebaccessibilityeasi2010feb1-100201121307-phpapp01/85/EASI-Webinar-Twitter-And-Web-Accessibility-28-320.jpg)
EASI Webinar: Twitter And Web Accessibility
- 1. EASI Social Media Series Presented by Dennis Lembrée February 1, 2010 Twitter and Web Accessibility
- 2. Agenda What’s Twitter? Issues with Twitter.com Accessible Twitter Applications AccessibleTwitter.com Other Benefits of Web Accessibility & Web Standards Guidelines for Accessible Tweets Contact Details Questions
- 3. What’s Twitter? Free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based messages of up to 140 characters. Learn more on Wikipedia .
- 4. Issues with Twitter.com From the start, there are accessibility issues. Can you find 3 items on the main Twitter “Sign in” page that could use improvement?
- 6. Issues with Twitter.com Two “click here” links. Text links are not underlined. Language select dropdown missing submit button (and requires JavaScript.)
- 7. Issues with Twitter.com Many web accessibility issues including: Core functionality is not keyboard accessible. Poor use of headings . Much core functionality requires JavaScript . Many more…
- 8. Keyboard Access Keyboard cannot access Favorite, Reply, and Delete links.
- 9. ?
- 10. Use of Headings Poor use of headings What site is this? Is my account name and/or info here? Where are the tweets? Where is the menu? W hy is the footer under the heading “Create a new list”?
- 11. JavaScript Twitter.com requires JavaScript. Without it, the user is unable to: Favorite a tweet. Delete a tweet. Access the content under Trending Topics & Followers. Perform core actions on Followers and Following pages. Reply to tweet does work without JavaScript.
- 13. Other issues with Twitter.com Code doesn't validate. Code could use better semantics. Links unclear. underlines removed :hover pseudo class effects, but no :focus poor color contrast Sidebar navigation is inconsistent. Form mark-up needs help: Form fields are missing labels. Fieldset tags used without legends. Layout width is static, not flexible. Custom colors may not be readable.
- 15. Accessible Applications Accessible Twitter http://www.accessibletwitter.com/ Slandr Mobile site, web-based http://m.slandr.net/ Qwitter Desktop client for screen readers http://qwitter-client.net/ TwInbox (previously McTwit) Plug-in for MS Outlook http://techhit.com/TwInbox/
- 16. AccessibleTwitter.com Accessible Twitter provides a fully web-accessible and standards-compliant version of the Twitter web site. Winner of the 2009 Access IT @web2.0 Award . Nominated in the Blind Bargains: 2009 Access Awards (Best Blindness-related Website).
- 18. Keyboard Access ALL links are keyboard accessible.
- 19. Use of Headings Ideal use of headings What site is this? Is my account name and/or info here? Where are the tweets? Where is the menu? In each tweet, the name the author is a heading which greatly improves clarity and navigation for screen readers.
- 20. JavaScript Accessible Twitter is fully functional without JavaScript.
- 21. JavaScript Accessible Twitter uses JavaScript to enhance behavior. Progress Enhancement is paramount. Hijax (Jeremy Keith). Unobtrusive, of course.
- 22. Other issues with Twitter.com Code doesn't validate. Code could use better semantics. Links unclear. underlines removed :hover pseudo class effects, but no :focus poor color contrast Sidebar navigation is inconsistent. Form mark-up needs help: Form fields are missing labels. Fieldset tags used without legends. Layout width is static not flexible. Custom colors may not be readable.
- 23. AccessibleTwitter.com Fixes Code validates. Code is semantic. Links clear. underlines not removed :hover pseudo class and :focus good color contrast Navigation is consistent. Form mark-up is accessible: Form fields have labels. Fieldset tags include legends. Layout width is flexible. Custom colors are not implemented.
- 25. More Features Search, saved search, user search. Trends page. Popular Links page ( TweetMeme ). Every pages displays the user’s information.
- 26. More Features No hidden links; always displayed. Favorite, Reply and Re-tweet links. Link to tweet’s “permanent page”. ARIA Landmarks Roles (nav, banner, search, main, etc.)
- 27. Quotes from Users “ Wow! You have really made my day, and I am smiling once again. I am so excited that I found your Accessible Twitter. Now I feel that I can be in the cutting edge of everything that is happening in the Twitter Universe”
- 28. Quotes from Users “ You can easily navigate by several methods; skip links, form fields, headings. Very effective with a screen reader.” [and now ARIA] “ really easy with a Braille Display to use” “ From now on my default web interface for Twitter! Keyboard accessible == touch accessible!”
- 29. Quotes from Users “… seems to work nicely in Lynx . Main Twitter won't let me login and mobile site won't show followers.” “ Liking it more than twitter.com! Cleaner, easier , fun!” “ Love this! So clear & Easy # dyslexia ”
- 30. Quotes from Users Read these quotes and more: http://accessibletwitter.com/articles.php
- 31. Future Enhancements Always evolving. Many enhancements and features are planned including: Twitter Lists (partially implemented). Caching on Trends and Popular Links pages. Better error handling. Functionality to upload photos via Twitpic and/or yFrog. Open Authentication (instead of Basic).
- 32. Other Benefits of Web Accessibility & Web Standards More usable . Better functionality with assistive technology such as text browsers & Braille devices. Keyboard accessibility opens gate for many other types of input devices . Providing clear, consistent content and navigation benefits those with cognitive impairments (and is more usable in general). Use with a mobile device is possible.
- 33. Guidelines for Accessible Tweets Don’t overuse abbreviations. Shorten link URLs. Use simple language. Don’t use a foreign language without saying so, or by making it obvious (enclosing with quotes, for example).
- 34. Contact Details Dennis Lembree I like motorcycling, Star Wars, espresso, Woody Allen movies, and playing guitar. Web Sites www.DennisLembree.com www.WebOverhauls.com WebAxe.blogspot.com Twitter Accounts @Accessible Twitr @WebAxe @DennisL
- 35. Questions?