Web Site Accessibility Blog

It looks like the WAI is redesigning its web site. From a navigational standpoint, it opens up much more possibilities in accessing information. There are some minor criticisms of the design and layout features, but overall - it’s a big improvement.

While looking over the site, I saw a study that I would like to highlight, which is the anti-bots test that is used on many websites. These are the visually-oriented tests that involve placing random characters in a shaded box, which the user then types into a text field.

While this does stop bots from accessing the site, it also stops anyone who is blind, has low-vision or dyslexia. It relies singularly upon a visual cue for users to move forward. The Inaccessibility of Visually Oriented Anti-Bot Tests study examines ways that anti-bot tests could be improved to allow humans full access, while still screening out bots.