I try and keep to the highest standards and principles when I spend time making changes to this site. I don’t always succeed, but I normally try.

Accessibility is a hot topic in web design, and has been for years – but in the real world, very few people give it more than a passing thought. Too many people pay far too little attention to the needs of disabled internet users, and it means that thousands of websites pay little heed whatsoever to people who have difficulties using ‘standard’ sites. Common mistakes include using too-small font sizes (and not organising the site so that the font sizes can be increased easily), colours which blend into one another, and using too many pictures where there should be words. Other common pitfalls include using Flash to build a site, which will leave out anybody who uses a text-only browser, and using excessive javascript without providing a fall-back for people who aren’t using a mouse.

Generally, this site is pretty good, but it isn’t by any means perfect. As an experiment, and because I want to do the best I can, I’ve created a stripped-down, accessible version of this site, which you can turn on using the link in the top left hand corner of the screen. While its not recommended for able readers, it has much cleaner markup, high-contrast large white-on-black text and other such attributes which should make it easier for people who have difficulties seeing or reading the site. It also contains as little extraneous content as I could get away with.

I don’t actually think I have any partially-sighted readers, but it can’t hurt to be prepared. If you have accessibility issues, try out the accessible version of the site. Clicking the link will set a cookie which will make the accessible version the default from now on. Turning off accessibility mode will clear the cookie. If you still have problems, get in touch with me and I’ll see what I can do.

I’ve also updated the contact form yet again. Not as flashy now, but it works more often (I’ve had one or two troubles). Plus, the whole site is now back to its former standards-compliant glory, validated by the W3C themselves.

As per usual, any problems, issues or comments, let me know using the contact form or in the comments on this post.