Webstandards, Accessibility and Usability at Penn State

Synopsis

• If a participant is using a screen reader, make sure you use a chat client that is compatible with a screen reader. The screen reader should identify sender name, read text from incoming messages and inform the chatter where to input messages.

• When using Computer Mediated Communication (C.M.C.) technology such as online chat, blogs or threaded discussion message board or e-mail, be sure to describe any ASCII art, attachments, or audio/visual files that are referenced.

Accessible CMC Passage

Sample Message Board Assignment



Assignment: By Friday, send me your thoughts on the lion image above for the "Tracking the Lion" logo. This image is a realistic male African lion in profile. Should the mascot be changed? Why or why not?

NOTE: This description is also useful for students who cannot see an image attachment or image file online for technical reasons.

A Note about ASCII Art in E-Mail Signatures

Many e-mail programs allow users to add a custom signature line and many people like to incorporate ASCII art or the use of punctuation symbols and letters to simulate an image. Here's an ASCII Nittany lion used in many e-mail signatures



This image is a screen capture, but if this had been true ASCII art, then a screen reader would have read: left parenthesis, quote grave accent dash quote just for the left ear.

If your signature line includes ASCII art, then make sure it is placed below all the essential contact information so users of screen readers can stop reading the content once they come to the ASCII art.

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