| Menu |
|
|
 |
|
|
Web Accessibility: Language
Identify Changes in Natural Language
Clearly identify changes in the primary natural language
of a document’s text or in text equivalents (e.g.,
captions). Use the clearest and simplest language
appropriate for a site's content.
For example, in HTML use the LANG attribute:
A great motto for living life is <SPAN LANG="la">carpe
diem</SPAN> -- seize the day!
<SPAN> changes the style of text within a paragraph.
For Example:
This is a paragraph with
one short phrase in purple, and crossed out.
The code looks like this:
This is a paragraph with <span style="color: purple;
text-decoration: line-through;">one short phrase</span>
in purple, and crossed out.
The International Standardization Organization (ISO)
defines the
language codes at http://www.oasis-open.org/cover/iso639a.html
Use Simple Language
- Strive for clear and accurate headings and link
descriptions. Use link phrases that are succinct and that
make sense when read out of context or as part of a
series of links (some users browse by jumping from link
to link and listening only to link text). Use informative
headings so that users can scan a page quickly for
information rather than reading it in detail.
- State the topic of the sentence or paragraph at the
beginning of the sentence or paragraph (i.e.,
front-loading). This helps those people skimming visually
and those skimming with screen readers, which means
jumping from heading to heading, or paragraph to
paragraph and listening to enough words to determine
whether the current chunk of information interests them.
- Limit each paragraph to one main idea.
- Avoid slang, jargon, and specialized meanings of
familiar words, unless defined within your document.
- Favor words that are commonly used. For example, use
"begin" rather than "commence" or use "try" rather than
"endeavor".
- Use active rather than passive verbs.
- Lastly, avoid complex sentence structures.
|
8800 Grossmont College Dr.