Accessibility
The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics Online website has been designed with accessibility in mind.
1. Accessibility features
- WAI WCAG conformance: We aim for AA compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
- Valid CSS/XHTML: We use valid XHTML markup and CSS for layout, allowing the content to be read with non-visual browsers.
- Resizable text: We do not override the browser text size, allowing the you to control the text size with your browser's standard controls.
- Skip navigation link: Allows you to skip to the core content of the page. This is particularly useful if you are using a text-to-speech browser. The skip navigation link is always the first link on the page.
- ALT text on images: If you can't view images, the alternate text will be displayed or spoken instead.
- Equations available as MathML or images: See MathML help and "Accessibility of MathML" below for more details.
- Unobtrusive JavaScript: Client-side scripting degrades gracefully allowing non-JavaScript browsers to access the core functionality.
If, despite these features, you are still having problems using the site please contact us
2. Accessibility of MathML
Both FireFox and Internet Explorer+MathPlayer will scale the MathML content when the normal font-size controls are used. Additionally, MathPlayer zooms into equations when double-clicked.
MathPlayer in IE also provides the option to "speak equations". This may be the best option for users requiring speech.
Initiatives to make MathML content more accessible are currently in progress.
Design Science, the makers of MathPlayer, have a good overview of MathML accessibility. Also, the Network for Inclusive Distance Education have a NIDE MathML accessibility project.
