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Bobby- To Bobby or not to Bobby?!
A Testing Time for Websites
One of the most common reasons as to why a website fails is due to poor understanding of customer needs and requirements.
A website that is not intuitive, is slow to download or hard to use- always will lead the user in one direction- they go elsewhere!
Accessibility is fast becoming the latest 'buzz word' in the web industry- and with a proliferation of 'Bobby' / 'AAA' compliant banners across many Northern Ireland websites -it seems that everything on the web is now accessible- or is it?
A Brief History of Accessibility in 60ish words
The World Wide Web Consortium (known as the W3C) is an association that has defined what standards should be across the web and in doing so created the WAI guidelines (Web Accessibility Initiative). These guidelines provide a set of checkpoints that must be met if a website is to become accessible.
Over time, software has been developed in an attempt to check as to whether a website passes the WAI guidelines. One of the best known is 'Bobby', an automated tool that runs through website code to check for accessibility errors.
'Bobby'.who the hell is 'Bobby'?
It is not uncommon for many web designers to turn to automated, generic software such as 'Bobby' to make a website accessible, as it is believed that if a website passes Bobby, the site is accessible, warranting a 'Bobby Approved' banner.
Yet, just like few companies would consider using automated, template based software to develop a website or promote a website, it shouldn't be presumed that by passing a piece of automated testing software, a website is 100% accessible.
The reason for this is that whilst automated software may be able to identify some problems within a site, it will not make a website accessible (just consider- of the 61 checkpoints within the WAI- only 13 can be clearly tested using 'Bobby').
So what can 'Bobby' do?
Whilst it can be argued that 'Bobby' can bring to light some problems that occur in a websites coding, 'Bobby' should at most be used as a guide.
If a company wishes to make a website accessible, it is important to look at the 'spirit of accessibility' and what benefits accessibility will bring to all users of a website. Accessibility should not be a chore or something that has to be done to stop a lawsuit.
Accessibility should be implemented to ensure that all users of a website, regardless of age, disability or aptitude, can perform their tasks easily, efficiently and successfully. And when this happens, everyone profits!
Elemental Creative Ltd is a specialist independent accessibility testing, usability testing and search engine optimisation company. For more information on their services, please visit www.elementalcreative.co.uk
Case Study Extract
"
Their depth of knowledge and understanding of accessibility issues, coupled
with a pro-active approach has ensured that we have received excellent
consultancy services " Andrew Hermon, O2 UK
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