Web Services - Guidelines

Section 508 Accessibility Standards

• School websites should be based on simple HTML
• Avoid the use of animation (animated gifs in particular), advanced technologies such as Flash, dynamic and popup/under menus, and excessive Javascript.   
• Images and Animations: Use the alt attribute to describe the function of each visual.
• Image maps: Use the client-side map element and text for hotspots.
• Multimedia: Provide captioning and transcripts of audio, and descriptions of video.
• Hypertext links: Use text that makes sense when read out of context. For example, avoid "Click here"
• Page Organization: Use headings, lists, and consistent structure. Use CSS for layout and style where possible.
• Graphs and Charts: Summarize or use the longdesc attribute.
• Scripts, applets, & plug-ins: Provide altenative content in case active features are inaccessible or unsupported.
• Frames: Use the noframes element and meaningful titles.
• Tables: Make line-by-line reading sensible. Summarize.