Andrew Kirkpatrick

The power of the Web lies in the fact that anyone and everyone can access it, and this should also extend to users with disabilities. Accessibility is about making websites accessible to those with aural, visual, or physical disabilities, or rather, constructing websites that don't exclude these people from accessing the content or services provided. This isn't difficult to accomplish and doesn't require anything more than your normal tool set—HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Flash, or whatever else. All you need to do is use these tools in the right way, and bear in mind the guidelines that exist to help you keep your websites accessible and the laws that enforce web accessibility around the world. This book gives you all you need to know about web accessibility, whether you are a web designer or developer who wants your sites to be accessible, or a business manager who wants to learn the impact of web accessibility laws on your websites. After an overview of the accessibility law and guidelines, and a discussion about accessibility and its implementation in the enterprise, the book goes on to show how to implement accessible websites using a combination of concise references and easy-to-follow examples, covering: Understanding assistive technologies Creating accessible content using XHTML, JavaScript, CSS, Flash, and PDFs Testing against WCAG (including 2.0) and Section 508 Retrofitting inaccessible sites where necessary The book concludes with an in-depth analysis of accessibility law around the world. If you're concerned about the legal and moral implications of web accessibility, then this book is perfect for you. It is written by some of the world's experts on accessibility, leaving you in good hands.

"Usability makes everything easier, except the job of the developer. Usability is not easy. There are no macros to run on Macromedia Flash projects to apply usability. Applying usability requires a change in the development process. It requires a new method of thinking about a project from start to finish." - Chris McGregor, Macromedia Usability White Paper. With the latest MX release, Flash has taken a significant step towards becoming the standard tool for delivery of web content. This brings with it a whole range of new challenges for those working with Flash, the biggest of which is making sure that their Flash material can be easily used by everyone that it is intended for. This book isn't about stifling flair and creativity, this is about making sure that your viewers stick around to appreciate the fruits of your creativity (and your hard work), and that your skills stay current in a quickly changing web landscape. As suggested above, Usability is not an easy topic when you depart from crass dictatorial statements and into the real world. This book exists to take the role of the user's web experience seriously and to show you how to remember them when designing. As such, it could be the most valuable Flash MX book you'll read this year. Book Info With this guide you will discover how to succeed with Flash in the business environment that demands economy, efficiency, and effectiveness from your web site. Covers Flash MX. Softcover. From the Author Usability makes everything easier, except the job of the developer. Usability is not easy. There are no macros to run on Macromedia Flash projects to apply usability. Applying usability requires a change in the development process. It requires a new method of thinking about a project from start to finish. - Chris McGregor, Macromedia Usability White Paper. About the Author Chris McGregor is the author of Macromedia's Usability White Paper and the man behind flazoom.com.