Web Site Accessibility Blog

As if I haven’t blogged about this subject enough. First, the WAI writes about it, then Internet News accuses Google of blocking visitors, and now this, thanks to Nick W and GreyHat Search Engine News.

Captcha solution?
Yahoo is attempting to help people find a way around the captcha by hiding text on the page. (Screenshot follows)

There is small, hidden text on the page reads:

Visually impaired or blind users: We can help you register. So that a customer care representative can contact you, please provide your phone number in addition to your required email address when you contact us by pasting this URL into your browser: http://add.yahoo.com/fast/help/us/edit/cgi_access

You can view the Yahoo page yourself and then press ctrl+a. Highlighting the page uncovers some very tiny text that is hidden in the page. The humor in this page is that this technique is considered search engine spam by the search engines themselves; except when they do it, we suppose.

The thought is in the right place, but the implemetation . . .
Now, I understand that this is most likely on the page for those users that rely on screen readers. I applaud Yahoo for the effort; however, there are a few additional considerations that need to be addressed.

Not all low-vision users rely on screen readers. Now, many sighted users combine screen readers with reading web pages, such as people with dyslexia or those who need assistance by reading and hearing the text. However, many low-vision users rely on a large monitor and/or with increased page magnification. They will never see the instructions on how to get past the captcha, as the captcha will block their access as well. It also difficult for low vision users or those with dyslexia to distiguish the characters in the captcha.

Either way – why not make it easier for people to find and know the options available to them? Why do those who cannot get past the captcha required to wait for a call from a Yahoo rep? What if they have a time restraint, like purchasing tickets for a concert?

While the intentions were surely good, it still separates users. It creates more questions. There are so many other options that can make the user experience better for everyone. Why not create a page and a means to get around the captcha that allows instant access? Why are the instructions for screen readers hidden? Wouldn’t the instructions help everyone, if they were available to see as well as hear? Instructions should be available for anyone to see, hear and find.

Disabled users don’t like being treated separately. Similarly, both web sites and physical buildings can change improve to increase access and it typically benefits everybody, not just those who need it.