Accessible.Org - The Home Of Accessible Web Site Design

Browser Compatibility

This smart summary of WAI guidelines makes browser compatibility issues almost disappear.

Get maximum practical accessibility with intelligent cross-browser accessible design.

"Browser compatibility" refers to making web sites viewable by as many browsers as possible.

It also takes into account the way people use their browsers - graphics off or on, java off or on, variable font sizing and colors, and so on.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

For practical accessible web site design relative to non-disability-related issues, in other words, for good browser compatibility, we use and support the following recommendations stated by the World Wide Web Consortium in their document Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0.

Provide equivalent alternatives to auditory and visual content.
Don't rely on color alone.
Use markup and style sheets and do so properly.
Clarify natural language usage
Create tables that transform gracefully.
Ensure that pages featuring new technologies transform gracefully.
Ensure user control of time-sensitive content changes.
Ensure direct accessibility of embedded user interfaces.
Design for device-independence.
Use interim solutions.
Use W3C technologies and guidelines.
Provide context and orientation information.
Provide clear navigation mechanisms.
Ensure that documents are clear and simple.

As stated in the W3 document:

"These guidelines explain how to make Web content accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines are intended for all Web content developers (page authors and site designers) and for developers of authoring tools. The primary goal of these guidelines is to promote accessibility. However, following them will also make Web content more available to all users, whatever user agent they are using (e.g., desktop browser, voice browser, mobile phone, automobile-based personal computer, etc.) or constraints they may be operating under (e.g., noisy surroundings, under- or over-illuminated rooms, in a hands-free environment, etc.). Following these guidelines will also help people find information on the Web more quickly. These guidelines do not discourage content developers from using images, video, etc., but rather explain how to make multimedia content more accessible to a wide audience."

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