Google Shows Tools For an Accessible Web

July 2, 2012 udcom

At its Google I/O developer conference, Google presented new and improved accessibility tools for its Chrome browser. The extention Accessibility Developer Tools allows web developers to check for accessibility features like alt text for images, keyboard accessibility, color contrast, and closed captioning on video. Google also annouced ChromeVox, an open source screen reader that uses Chrome’s text-to-speech (TTS) engine. Using ChromeVox and the Accessibility Developer Tools in conjunction can help web developers create more accessible webpages. By navigating through a webpage with ChromVox web developers can recognize instances where the spoken feedback does not relay all of the necessary information. Running the Accessibility Developer Tools for Chrome will then point out exactly which accessibility errors are located on each page, and provide feedback on how to fix them.

Click here for the full presentation – available on YouTube

Universal Design (UD) is an approach to design that increases the potential for developing a better quality of life for a wide range of individuals. It is a design process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation (Steinfeld and Maisel, 2012). It creates products, systems, and environments to be as usable as possible by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation.