Tips for Using Multimedia

The ability of web browsers to play sounds and moving video can greatly improve the accessibility of web pages, or it can greatly hinder accessibility. Here's some things to consider:

Remember that many blind people prefer to use a graphic browser with images turned off so they can get the multimedia sound clips. Don't assume all blind people use Lynx.
Text-reading programs have limitations with images, complex tables, javascript, etc. Get around this problem by recording your own audio version of the page and making a link to this the first link on your page.
All web browsers that support sound will support the "sun .au" format. You may also want to consider a "streaming" format, like RealPlayer, so people don't have to wait for the sound or video clips to download. Remember that these will require special plugin programs, so make it easy to download and install these programs.
Provide text descriptions of all moving video on the screen for people who are unable to see the video for physical or technological reasons.
Don't forget about deaf people. Provide text captions for all important audio information. For example, if there is a greeting from your company president in multimedia format, include a link to the transcript so deaf people can read the greeting.

Please send comments about this course to Kevin.Lowey@Usask.CA