Overview
Web Accessibility (a11y) is an ongoing project that requires dedicated time and effort from both the developer and editors/content providers.
Anyone contributing content to harthouse.ca should establish Web Accessibility as a culture and keep it top of mind at all times.
Creating Content
Writing for the web is distinctly different from all print media. Screens are meant to be browsed, not necessarily read. The same web pages must work on a computer, a tablet and a mobile phone screen. To accomplish this, a few guidelines must be followed.
1. Write website text at about a grade 8 comprehension level—no matter how sophisticated the audience. Museums also follow this standard with interpretive text. When reading in an environment with distractions (whether it’s pop-up ads or a noisy setting) text must be quick and simple to understand.)
There is currently a lively, ongoing controversy among many sociologists and other professionals who study human nature: theories are being spun and arguments are being conducted among them about what it means that so many young people—and older people, for that matter—who live in our society today are so very interested in stories about zombies.
2. Divide text into meaningful sections with headings. This will help accessible screen readers understand the page.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
3. Avoid using jargon or technical language. If you must use, include explanatory text, or a glossary. When using an abbreviation, write it out in full the first time and include the acronym in brackets. E.g., University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM).
The Co-Curricular Record (CCR) is an official University of Toronto (U of T) document that recognizes non-academic activities as an important part of a student’s university experience.
UTM, UTSC and UTSG students may earn CCR credit by joining the PhySU or CSSU executive. Log into CNLX to search for opportunities. Regardless of your POSt in FAS, you can enhance your transcript. Use your UTORid to access ACORN to review your history.
4. Remove all double spaces after periods.
5. Use bullet points whenever possible.
6. Check grammar, spelling (use Canadian) and correct usage of the hyphen, en-dash and em-dash. Grammarly is a helpful online grammar checker.
7. Say it once. Edit and edit again to keep your message as simple as possible. Do not repeat the same information in three different ways.
Overview:
This event is about Topic A. Some explanation about the event.
Details:
Wed, Nov 10, 2020, at 3 pm. Hart House
Speakers:
- Ted Smith, Prof. Julia Bee, Marcus Lang
Biographies:
Etc.
This event will discuss topic A. Marcus Lang will open the event. Prof. Julia Bee will talk about X and alumnus Ted Smith will share a personal anecdote.
The event will take place at Hart House next Wednesday, and alumnus Ted Smith will present his experience with Y. The topic A event will be held on Nov 10, 2020, at 3 pm. Topic A will spark discussion between panellists, which includes an alumnus, a professor and a moderator who will open the event.
Speakers include Julia Bee who has these credentials. Business executive Marcus Lang will open the session, and Ted Smith (MSc 1995) will share his experiences.
8. Supply two images for your event. Remember that text on an image is not accessible to screen readers.
- One image without any text for website
- One with text for social media
9. Add alternative text for all images that are not purely decorative. Alternative text is required for gallery images too.
Students making apple cider at Hart House Farm.
Blue and purple swirls.
10. Supply logos for all partners and sponsors (svg or jpg or png).
A maximum of 3–4 logos may be shown on an event card for external events only (will go directly to the external event page). Please indicate who are the presenting partners and who are other partners/sponsors. Event pages may include all partners/sponsors.