TrendMedia recently completed work on a new, accessible web site for Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, California. Today, Guide Dogs released a press release on PR Web which in turn appeared on Google News — Guide Dogs for the Blind Launches State-of-the-Art Website: a Model for Accessibility. You can read the complete release on PR Web.
My favorite quote is about creating sites that are “technically” accessible (i.e. – pass W3C WCAG checkpoints and Section 508 standards) verses sites that are actually usable and easy to navigate for the blind and visually impaired, especially users who rely on screen reader software such as JAWS, Window-Eyes, or Apple VoiceOver.
“Most websites designed to get NFB certification pay little or no attention to usability,” said McNitt. “Accessibility and usability are two different things. Put it this way: you can technically make a building accessible by putting in a water fountain that’s the right height and restrooms that are wide enough for someone using a wheelchair. But if you put those things on the 10th floor, the building isn’t really usable.”
Of course, it’s good to know that we have a happy client as well… š
“The team that built this site went out of their way to ensure that the end product was superior to our expectations, and we’re thrilled with the results.” (Bob Phillips, Guide Dogs, CEO) And, according to the site’s immediate increase of traffic, so is everyone else.
[tags]accessability,blind,guide dogs,trendmedia,mcnitt,web standards,web development,jaws,window-eyes,voiceover[/tags]
That is very cool, Brian! I only clicked on the link because it said “dogs” but am super impressed that you are building sites that accommodate people with disabilities (I don’t know much about the voice recognition and other technologies out there).
Karen
In light of the fact that Guide Dogs for the blind would spend so much money on this new website technology, I think that they need to incorporate a way for Puppy Raisers to give evaluations of there club leaders/overseers, and regional managers. Our experience in being guide dog raisers is that there club leaders/overseers,and regional managers lack people skills, human kindness, and human care. Based on our experience with our local Guide Dogs Club, I think that it is a decietful myth to think that Guide Dogs for the Blind is a caring organization.
Guide Dogs for the Blind has a tremendous volunteer force of more than 1,500 puppy raisers, 400 breeder keeper volunteers, 500 campus volunteers and a host of others who believe in using our power of partnering to improve quality of life. We encourage everyone connected with our organization to offer their constructive suggestions so that we can continue to further our mission. If the writer would contact the Puppy Raising manager at 1-800-295-4050, we would like to speak directly to address his/her concerns and opinions.
[…] Learn more about the Guide Dog’s web project on Brian McNitt’s Blog — Guide Dogs, TrendMedia, Accessibility in News. […]
Hi, I am a guide dog raiser in Seattle, WA. The puppy I am currently raising is named Shep. I love your blog and I love reading about other people’s dog experiences. I also have a website where I sell pet supplies and i have a blog on it also about guide dogs. I built the site to try and help raise money for guide dogs and other animal charities.