FRSD ADApts
Website Compliance Corner ~ Issue 2, January 2023
Meet Our FRSD Web Compliance Team
Barley Sheaf - Mary Jane Custy, Vice Principal; Sharon England, Administrative Secretary
Copper Hill - Jesse Lockett, Principal; Amy Switkes, Vice Principal
Francis A. Desmares - Nydia Peake, Vice Principal; Christine Grabowich, Administrative Secretary
Robert Hunter - Lindsay Shirvanian, Vice Principal; Jeanne Whalen, Administrative Secretary
Reading-Fleming - Alicia Dominguez, Administrative Secretary; Urmi Foster, Guidance Secretary
J.P. Case - Jacqueline Assuncao, Administrative Secretary; Marisa Handren, Media Specialist
District Contacts - Danielle Marsh, Special Services; George Runyon, Technology; Ralph Losanno, Technology Supervisor; Laura Bruhn, Website Accessibility Coordinator.
Web Compliance Trainings
Our FRSD Web Compliance Team and our Technology Integration Specialists have received links to online trainings that explain compliance and demonstrate, step-by-step, how to build web pages (specifically on Finalsite - formerly Blackboard) that achieve compliance. These links are available to all staff members on our web site accessibility web page and are listed below:
The 3-minute video above from accessiBe on You Tube shares insight into the importance of Internet accessibility for all. Thanks for watching! Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXdv_oo7j4o.
How to Avoid Accessibility Pitfalls
Whether you maintain a Blackboard/Finalsite webpage or a Google site, compliance is critical. Website compliance can be confusing and complicated, but identifying and removing barriers to accessibility is one of the first steps in improving web content and function.
Below is a list of barriers that prevent accessibility from "Is Your Website ADA Compliant?" from Baldwin Web Design. If you spot any of these on your website, making even minor tweaks can help improve access. Source: https://baldwinwebdesign.com/is-your-website-ada-compliant/.
Poor color contrast. People with limited vision or color blindness cannot read text if there is not enough contrast between the text and background (for example, light gray text on a light-colored background).
Use of color alone to give information. People who are color-blind may not have access to information when that information is conveyed using only color cues because they cannot distinguish certain colors from others. Also, screen readers do not tell the user the color of text on a screen, so a person who is blind would not be able to know that color is meant to convey certain information (for example, using red text alone to show which fields are required on a form).
Lack of text alternatives (“alt text”) on images. People who are blind will not be able to understand the content and purpose of images, such as pictures, illustrations, and charts, when no text alternative is provided. Text alternatives convey the purpose of an image, including pictures, illustrations, charts, etc.
No captions on videos. People with hearing disabilities may not be able to understand information communicated in a video if the video does not have captions.
Inaccessible online forms. People with disabilities may not be able to fill out, understand, and accurately submit forms without things like:
- Labels that screen readers can convey to their users such as text that reads “credit card number” where that number should be entered
- Clear instructions
- Error indicators such as alerts telling the user a form field is missing or incorrect.
Mouse-only navigation or lack of keyboard navigation. People with disabilities who cannot use a mouse or trackpad will not be able to access web content if they cannot navigate a website using a keyboard.
Web Design Examples: Do's and Don'ts
In the next issue of FRSD ADApts, we'll provide an update on our ongoing web audit. We'll answer common questions when creating and updating web sites and review specific tools that can help users easily access electronic information.
FRSD ADApts
WCAG guidelines are listed here: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
Laura Bruhn
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
Website Accessibility Coordinator
Email: laura.bruhn@frsd.us
Website: www.frsd.k12.nj.us
Phone: 908-284-7566
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flemrarschools/
Twitter: @FlemRarSchools