97% websites failing disabed

[brian]

Full article at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6210068.stm

KEY SHORTFALLS
93% failed to provide adequate text descriptions for graphics
73% relied on JavaScript for important functionality
78% used colours with poor contrast, causing issues for those with colour blindness
98% did not follow industry web standards for the programming code
97% did not allow people to alter or resize pages
89% offered poor page navigation
87% used pop-ups causing problems for those using screen magnification software

[ibnhafsun]

It could be a great slogan for the upcomming versions:

"97% websites failing disabled.
The 3% left are Joomla! powered."

[manuman]

Interesting the BBC page on which the article is written also fails basic validations

[absalom]

Nothing new.. I heard this  all before, two to three years ago. Because CMS products are a poor man's Dreamweaver, unless you fix the problem from the ground up, you're always going to be hitting that same brick wall. This requires significant buy in at the developer level, and it isn't happening (by and large)...

You either address it at:

• within the core
• within the editors
• within the templates

Or you don't address it at all.  However, In Australia, however, we have a bit more innovation with the MacFarlane Prize so the technology and skillset is here to retrofit accessibility into archiac CMS systems like J!, but it's still equivalent to using a sledgehammer to organise electrical wiring in order to get that job done. You never know.. the new Mambo might even be more accessible than J! 1.5 and J! 2.0 

I must say.. I love the quote from the the usability reference:

Building dull, technically compliant websites is easy but building commercially successful sites that are also accessible is not,

It can be done. You don't even have to use a CMS, and in some ways, a CMS only adds problems and unforseen factors into the mix. Ease depends on skillset..

[andresumana]

Made templates its easy for a webdesginer
i have been using joomla for 3 years, first i depeneded a lot form the templates that are out there, but now i do my own, its easy and quick and the resoult is always a beautifull wepage with so much things to explore for bussines, i dont think joomla is a problem. first i only did flash websites and with the time i started to change into joomla and mixing it wiht flash design. im not an engenier i design in fireworks and then in dreamweaver. the css is still hard for me but i can manage

the only think i have to say is thks for all the great job done and this wonderful product


(Mod note: removed unnecessary self promotional links. -MMMedia)

[AmyStephen]

I just read the United Nations report yesterday and was going to post this, too, here in Joomla!. First, I was looking if someone had already posted it and was pleased to see Brian had already made this available.

The message we need to get from this report is how fortunate we are to have people in this community focused on accessibility.

That includes people like Lawrence who is learning more and more positive ways to get his message out. And, it includes people like Jenny as she works the forums and pushes for practical improvements for accessibility - and shows she's willing to help with the work. . Mainly, though, our developers are the ones to thank as they continue to make it easier to customize Joomla! for our own particular needs.

I think, though, that this study should help everyone breath a little easier knowing that we are (unfortunately) not way behind the times and we also have a real opportunity to be leaders in this area. When only three sites out of 100 tested are compliant, that says something. (Especially knowing that the sites selected were professional, heavy traffic, important sites.)

I do not think Joomla! "is there," but, because of those of you who are passionate about this, I absolutely believe we are heading in the right direction. We have everything and everyone we need to continue to make strides in this area and this study made me proud of our community and, specifically of those of you who focus on this subject.

We may not always communicate perfectly, but everyone's hearts and minds are in the right place. It will be impossible for us to fail.

Thanks for posting this, Brian.

[vavroom]

"97% websites failing disabled.
The 3% left are Joomla! powered."

Oh???  Really???  Show me

[AmyStephen]

It could be a great slogan for the upcomming versions:

"97% websites failing disabled.
The 3% left are Joomla! powered."

Nic - lol!

You took out the most important sentence! Rafa said it "could be" for "upcoming versions." That is if we all work together! Please, though, let's not rumble. 

It is very nice to see you here, BTW! 

Amy