Compliance with Bobby Web accessibility tool (http://www.cast.org/bobby) This Web-based tool analyzes Web pages for their usability for people with disabilities, and provides recommendations for improvements. It provides a ‘passing’ grade only to those sites that are most easily accessible to those with disabilities. It is considered the leading program for this purpose. The Bobby Web site is hosted by the CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to expand opportunities for people with disabilities.

Descriptive alternative text for all graphics
Alternative tags, or “Alt tags,” show up when the images do not appear. Alt tags can also be read by ‘speaking browsers’ for people with visual impairments. This allows those with visual impairments or slow Internet connections to understand what types of images are used on the site even if they cannot see the images.

Consistent and clear link names
On this Web site the title of a document or article is used as the link in almost all cases. This allows users to see the most important information in the link and avoids uninformative link names, such as “Click here.”

Clear navigation and screen presentation
The Collins Center has used a consistent format across the entire Web site. This allows users to grasp the navigation quickly and understand where they are as they move through the site.

Multiple navigation lists
This Web site includes multiple navigation lists, including navigation near the top of the page and text-based navigation in the footer of each page. This allows users to move through the site more quickly.

No use of frames
This site does not use frames, which can create a number of accessibility problems for regular users as well as those who are visually impaired. It is often difficult to “bookmark” and print the page you want when using frames, and those with speaking browsers cannot easily navigate through a frame-based Web site.

Minimal use of image maps, automatic redirects
Image maps and auto redirects are used only where most necessary, but if used, there is always a text-based alternative or explanation to help those with visual impairments or non-graphic browsers understand the page more easily.

Restricted screen size
This Web site was created to fit on a screen set to 640 x 480 pixels. This allows all users to see the full width of the screen on any computer and eliminates the need for some users to have to scroll horizontally to read all of the text.

Browser Compatibility
The Collins Center makes every attempt to have the Web site displayed in as many browsers as possible. At a minimum, sites should work correctly using:

• Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher;
• Netscape 4.5 or higher; and
• America Online 7.0 or higher.

Due to inconsistencies in how various Web browsers’ work, users with older or non-standardized technology may encounter some difficulties.

Common Web Accessibility Problems and Solutions
I’m getting javascript errors.
You are likely using an old Web browser. You may update to a newer browser for free. The leading free browsers include:

• Netscape Navigator: http://home.netscape.com; and
• Microsoft Internet Explorer: http://www.microsoft.com.

I can’t read some of the attachments on the Web site.
If you cannot read a certain type of attachment, look at the name of the file – specifically the three letters at the end of the filename. Find the proper type of file below to learn how you may read the attachment.

• Adobe Acrobat (identified by the .pdf at the end of the filename): Download the free Adobe Acrobat reader (http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html)
• Microsoft Word (identified by the .doc at the end of the filename): Purchase of Microsoft Word, or open the file in another word processing program by converting it from Microsoft Word.
• Microsoft PowerPoint (identified by a .ppt at the end of the filename): Purchase Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Microsoft Excel (identified by the .xls at the end of the filename): Purchase Microsoft Excel, or open the file using another spreadsheet program by converting it from Microsoft Excel.

The text on the screen is too small to read. If you are having trouble reading the text on your screen you may change your computer’s settings to make the text larger. To do this, follow these simple instructions (for PC users):
1. Go to “Start” then “Settings” then click on “Control Panel”
2. Click on “Display”
3. Click on the last tab called “Settings”
4. Set the “Screen Area” box to the smallest setting which is “640 x 480”
5. Chose “O.K.”