Making the boards accessible

beginning · 08-03-2005, 02:09 AM

I know this probably doesn't apply to many people, but I figure I should throw it out there.

I have some visual impairment due to a neurological disorder. In order to view websites properly, I use high contrast and/or a text-to-speech reader.

On most websites, I can use high contrast and be just fine. I usually don't like using my T-T-S reader on message boards because of the many site-specific acronyms, special characters, "cute" misspellings, and other things people use when writing.

However, on CC, I have no choice but to use my T-T-S reader because the site does not meet web accessibility standards. It does not display properly in high contrast because of this, so that is not an option for me. However, using my T-T-S reader means I have to listen to the many misspelled words, uncommon nouns, and other writings be spelled out to me, not to mention long and complicated URLs. (I also often can't tell when someone has made a link, for what it's worth.) It makes the website very frustrating to use.

I'm at home all day during the summer, and frankly, CC gives me something to do. I would really appreciate it being easier to use for those of us without good vision, and I know others would as well.

Therefore, I'm wondering if it's possible to suggest to the developers that they make the website accessible in accordance with WAI standards. If this is not an option, perhaps a high contrast site scheme can be created for users like myself who really rely on that for comfortable browsing. It's very frustrating to have to keep switching out of high contrast in order to read and post here, so I'd appreciate it.

Just a suggestion. If you can forward it to the proper people, I'd be very much obliged.

Thank you!

Knavish · 08-03-2005, 02:40 AM

Not to ask a stupid question, but won't viewing with high contrast exacerbate your eye condition (which, granted, I know nothing about)?

Anyway, I hope the problem is taken care of.

beginning · 08-03-2005, 02:46 AM

Nope, it's actually preferred by many (most?) people with visual impairment. It puts off-white text on a black background, which makes it much less glaring on the eyes than dark-on-light. It also makes text larger, but uniformly so. A lot of people without vision problems prefer it, and opthamologists/optometrists recommend it over "normal" browsing.

If you use Windows and want to see what it's like, go to:

Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Accessibility Options -> Display -> Use High Contrast -> Apply

Knavish · 08-03-2005, 02:56 AM

Oh, that's interesting. I thought by "high contrast" you meant contrast-tuning button/spinner on most monitors--which makes the bright things even brighter.

beginning · 08-06-2005, 11:42 AM

I'm wondering if anyone has looked at this at all?

celebrian25 · 08-06-2005, 11:45 AM

Here's a bump because even though this doesn't directly affect me, something should be done. respond mods!

bluealien01 · 08-06-2005, 08:38 PM

bump too too too too

tanman · 08-06-2005, 11:45 PM

The only thing I can think of is using the text-based archives. However, the threads there are in order of first post, not most recent post, so it may not be that useful. Just wondering, do you have this problem in other vBulletin forums or just on this one?

beginning · 08-07-2005, 03:01 AM

tanman: Problem with the archives is that you can only read -- you can't post, look for the latest threads, or otherwise participate in a meaningful manner. It does work in accessible settings, but I'd have to keep switching back to non-accessible view to post, and that's still a pain.

I don't think I've visited any other vBulletin boards. The PR boards work fine, and I think UBB boards are okay as well. I don't post to many, so it's hard to know which ones are best.