Accessibility Statement
I would like Dei-Gratia.net to be accessible to anyone who wishes to grace my site. For this reason, I have created this statement on the accessibility standards employed by this site to resolve some of the issues that one might potentially face.
- Quick Jump:
- Text Size
- Color and Contrast
- Images
- Validity
- Compatibility
- Access Keys
Text Size
If you are having problems viewing the text, you can use your web browser to increase or decrease text size. In most browsers, you may change text size through the View menu in your browser tool bar.
A short cut is offered in Mozilla Firefox. Press Ctrl + to increase and Ctrl - to decrease text size.
Increasing or decreasing the text size will not interfere with the functionality of this website.
Color and Contrast
This colors used for this website are checked for recommended color contrast and difference by using the colour contrast analyzer at Juicy Studio. Colors are also visually checked for color difference using the services offered at Vischeck.com.
Images
Images often add to the design of a site but anyone who browses without images enabled is at a severe disadvantage in many cases. If your layout is dependent on images and someone is surfing the web with automatic image loading disabled it may distort the design and functionality of your site.
Not to mention some people are still connecting with dial-up. With dial-up, large images or images in general usually load very, very slowly. No one likes visiting sites that cause their browser to have a melt down. I don't want to be the cause of one.
The images I use on this site are small and repetitive or are used in the background where whether they appear or not affects very little. I try to design while being conscious of the fact not everyone uses images or has the patience to deal with large image files. The site is also designed to function the same with or without images. (If you use images in your layout, add a an “alt” statement to them so that those browsing without images enabled will know what they are missing. My main hang-up on images is aimed at those who insist upon using massive, badly edited, stolen celebrity images.)
If you're browsing this site with images disabled, the only important detail you miss out on is for the warning of links that take you off-site.
Validity
I'm a stickler for web standards. I am a computer nerd that gets all bubbly inside when the pages I've been working on actually validate. Why? Because valid coding eliminates a lot of problems with browser compatibility.
Dei-Gratia.net uses valid CSS and XHTML coding on all of its web pages. This allows for compatibility with most all browsers. Validation is checked through W3s Markup and CSS validation services.
Compatibility
I always browse the site to check to be sure the site both looks and functions well in Mozilla Firefox (which I love and use) and Internet Explorer 7.0 (which I hate). This site also complies with Section 508 standards.
If you represent a web browser company and wish to send me a check for a massive amount of money, I'll put your browser here. Until I see some cash, this site is compatible with any browser.
Access Keys
I don't currently use accesskeys. They are a great idea, but currently their use is not completely compatible with all browsers. They may even interfere with the functionality of access keys already built into the browser. There are very few access keys that can be used that are not already taken by one or more browsers. For example: An access key that may be used without disrupting function in Mozilla Firefox may disrupt the functioning of an existing browser access key in Internet Explorer.
Reading programs used for sight limited individuals also have access key short cuts built into the program. In trying to make a site available to individuals with poor muscle control or a missing or dysfunctional mouse you may potentially, and unknowingly, limit navigation to another party.
When a way has been found that enables access keys to be both functional and not disruptive of previous key settings, I will start using them.
In the mean time, the Tab key function on the key board also provides access to links. You may press the Tab key on the keyboard until you are over the link you want to access. Press Enter to click the link.