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WCAG 2.0 and Accessibility Testers

Accessible Headers with Graphics

The issue is that a lot of web sites use graphical images for headings. But images don't use heading tags (H1, H2, etc.) which create the semantic code we all want, which are ideal for screenreaders, SEO, etc.

So the "image replacement" technique uses valid code and CSS to display header images within a heading tag. The challenge is to solve the screen reader problem, and it must also address the "images off, CSS on" problem (ponder that one!), and to reduce the need for empty elements (like SPAN, DIV, etc.).

Download Web Axe Episode 23 (Accessible Headers with Graphics)

[Transcript]

Links:

Sample Code:
<div id="header">
<h1><span></span>CheckEngine USA</h1>
</div>


Sample CSS:
#header {
position: relative;
width: 750px;
height: 100px;
margin:0;
padding:0;
overflow: hidden;
}
#header span {
position: absolute;
background-image: url(../images/headerback.jpg);
background-repeat: no-repeat;
width: 750px;
height: 100px;
margin:0;
padding:0;
overflow: hidden;
}

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New Email Address for WebAxe

WebAxe has a new email address: web axe at gmail dot com
Feel free to send a message to the host, Dennis.

Accessible Business Online (external podcast)

Here's a podcast I came across titled "Accessible Business Online" by Alexandra Graham. Some good basic content here. Just as good, it references a transcription service, CastingWords.com, that I may try for Web Axe.

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Hiding Labels and Sub-Headers

There are certain instances when a label or header should be used, but wouldn't necessarily need to be seen in the layout, such as a label for a phone number and a header for a menu. Dennis discusses when and how this would be done.

Download Web Axe Episode 22 (Hiding Labels and Sub-Headers)

[Transcript]

The CSS:

.hidden {
position:absolute;
left:0px;
top:-500px;
width:1px;
height:1px;
overflow:hidden;
}


The XHTML:

<form method="post" action="">
<div>Phone number:
(
<label for="area" class="hidden">Area code</label>
<input name="area" type="text" size="3" maxlength="3" id="area">
)
<label for="first" class="hidden">first 3 digits</label>
<input name="first" type="text" size="3" maxlength="3" id="first">
-
<label for="last" class="hidden">last 4 digits</label>
<input name="last" type="text" size="4" maxlength="4" id="last">
</div>
<div>
<input type="submit" name="Submit" value="Submit">
</div>
</form>


Links:

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About Dennis

Dennis Lembree is the founder of web development company Web Overhauls, which specializes in web usability, standards, and accessibility. Follow Dennis on Twitter: @dennisl

About Ross

Ross Johnson runs a web design company (3.7 Designs) that takes a wholistic view on the web and art of constructing pages. They strive to be creative and unique. Follow Ross on Twitter: @3pointross