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How disabled users access the Internet

 

Since best practice on access keys is unclear, our approach has evolved over time (and sometimes also reflect the preferences of different designers.) Our most recent implementation is probably M&S Corporate:
http://www2.marksandspencer.com/help/policies/corp_statement.shtml
which limits the number of access keys, and mostly sticks to numerals.

Yes, the purpose of the accessibility statement is partially to acquaint users with the access keys used, so we're hoping alt-0 becomes more familiar for this purpose. Note that we also use a small "skiplinks menu" at the start of all pages, so regardless of whether access keys are used, this enables people using the keyboard to navigate to quickly reach different areas of the page.

But we are in the process of re-evaluating our position on access keys. So I don't want to imply that the examples I provide are foolproof. In tests with screen readers users, you rarely get people using access keys.

If you want to find lots more examples on the web, you can simply google for accessibility statements --
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22accessibility+statement%22
-- or for "access keys".

 
  • How disabled users access the Internet, Trenton, 6 Sep 18:10
    In 1995 a new era of accessibility for disabled people began. The DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) was passed, stating that:“It’s unlawful for a service provider to discriminate ...
    • How disabled users access the Internet, fjordaan , 8 Sep 17:10
      A helpful overview, thanks. I just had a few additional comments: Internet users who have no sight at all may utilize a screen reader, which reads the content of the web page, o ...
      • How disabled users access the Internet, PaulAlburquerque, 21 Jul 14:50
        A client is interested in adding access keys to their website particularly given the relevance to their audience. I'm looking for best practice examples of their useage ...
        • How disabled users access the Internet, fjordaan , 21 Jul 15:05
          Access keys are a controversial subject, and many accessibility experts advise against using them at all. The reasons are best explained in this article (also see the related artic ...
          • How disabled users access the Internet, PaulAlburquerque, 21 Jul 16:02
            Thanks for your insightful info. It seems that theory and practice of standards in this area is a murky one particularly given the conflict of other applications vying for the s ...
            • How disabled users access the Internet, fjordaan , 21 Jul 16:24
              Since best practice on access keys is unclear, our approach has evolved over time (and sometimes also reflect the preferences of different designers.) Our most recent implementatio ...
              • How disabled users access the Internet, PaulAlburquerque, 21 Jul 16:39
                It would be interesting to hear from other industry agencies, particularly those publishing multilingual websites. This is where I favour the number route rather than the character ...
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