The National Institute of Open Schooling is
committed to make its website accessible to people with
disabilities. In its effort to make the website accessible, NIOS
has incorporated different features which will make it easier for
users to browse the website.
Some of the accessibility features incorporated in the website
includes adjusting the display settings, ease of navigation,
content readability and so on. Following are the accessibility
features incorporated in this website:
Alternate description for images & Audio/Video
content:
- Alternate Text: Brief description of an image
is provided for users with visual disability. If you are using a
browser that supports only text or have turned off the image
display, you can still know what the image is all about by reading
the alternate text in absence of an image. In addition, some
browsers display the alternate text in the form of a tooltip when
the user moves the mouse pointer over the image.
Display settings
- Text size: The size of the text on the Web
pages can be changed either through the browser or by clicking on
the text sizing icons present at the top of each page.
- Contrast schemes: The website provides
different contrast schemes to enable users with visual impairments,
such as low vision and colorblindness as well as users with
learning impairments to view the web page information with ease.
Different contrast schemes include Black on White.
Ease of Navigation
- Skip to Main Content: Quick access to the core
content of the page is provided for keyboard and screen reader
users without requiring them to go through repetitive navigation
links.
- Descriptive Link Text: Brief description of a
link is provided using clear and descriptive phrases instead of
just using words such as 'Read more' and 'Click here' as link text.
Further, if a link opens a Website in a new window, the description
specifies the same.
- Consistent Navigation Mechanism: Consistent
means of navigation and style of presentation throughout the
Website has been incorporated.
Content Readability & Structure
- Icons: Text has been supplemented with icons
to enable users with learning disabilities understand the
information easily. Icons have been provided along with text labels
for key navigation options as well as important features, such as
print, email etc.
- Identification of file type and file size:
Information about alternate file types, such as PDF, Word, Excel
along with the file size has been provided within the link text to
help users identify the same. In addition, icons for different file
types have been provided with the links. This helps users in
deciding whether they wish to access the link. For example, if a
link opens a PDF file, the link text specifies its file size and
file type.
- Table Headers: The table headings are marked
and associated with their corresponding cells in each row. This
enables a screen reader to read out the column and row header of
any cell for the user.
- Table caption and summary: Table captions are
specified that act as labels, which indicate what data is provided
in the table. In addition summary is specified to provide
description for screen reader users to enable them understand the
table information easily.
- Headings: The Web page content is organized
using appropriate headings and subheadings that provide a readable
structure. H1 indicates the main heading, whereas H2 indicates a
subheading. In addition, wherever required appropriate headings
have been provided to improve readability.
- Page titles: An appropriate name for each Web
page is specified that helps users especially screen reader users
to understand the page content easily.
- Large Print: Web pages include large print
option which helps users with low vision and senior citizens to
print the web page with large font size.
Keyboard Support
- Keyboard support for drop-down menus:Drop-down
menus have been used to display the top navigation options across
the website. Keyboard access has been provided to enable users with
mobility and visual disabilities access the navigation options.
Keyboard users can access the top navigation options in the
following manner:
- Press the Tab key to navigate to the drop-down menu options,
such as About Us, Departments/Units etc. Press
Enter to Show/Hide the drop-down menu options and press the Tab
key. Along with Tab key, screen reader user can also access the
drop-down menu options using the arrow keys. Further press the
Enter key to activate the required option.
- Keyboard support for navigating across the
website:Interactive elements of the website, such as links
and forms can be browsed using a keyboard by pressing the Tab and
Shift + Tab keys.
Forms
- Form instructions: Clear and easy to
understand instructions are provided to help users fill up the form
details successfully.
- Clear and Unique form labels: Each form field,
such as text boxes, radio button group, check boxes etc have been
assigned form labels to help users identify the purpose of the
same.
- Explicit Form Label Association: A label is
linked to its respective control, such as text box, check box,
radio button, and drop-down list. This enables the assistive
technologies to identify the labels for the controls on a
form.
- Descriptive error messages: In case of errors
that occur while filling up a form, users are informed about errors
using descriptive messages to help them rectify them and complete
the form.
Related Accessibility Links: