A well designed website makes information accessible. However, web designers must be aware of accessibility issues in order to accommodate people with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities use the Internet for the same reason as others -- research, banking, shopping, job search or education.

In an effort to address the needs of all users, the swdc.org team and SWNA have adopted guidelines to strive to meet the needs of all residents and viewers, including those with disabilities. ADA compliance is strongly encouraged and considered to be "good practice" for website design.

ADA compliance includes standards based on Federal Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1998 and World Wide Web Consortium accessibility guidelines.

At a minimal, the following associated problems and corrective actions should be taken to meet a Level A conformance:

• provide for all images, including image maps, text alternatives (ALT tags). When a viewer's mouse is placed over an image a text description of that image appears
• scripts such as scrolling text messages, should not be used to impart information
• fonts smaller than point size 10 (or font size="-1") should not be used
• flickering, blinking or flashing designs can cause seizures in people with certain neurological disorders and should not be used
• framed web pages should be titled
• data tables should use titles on all rows and columns
• the use of tables to layout or design a page should be kept to a minimum
• good color contract should be maintained
• web page design should be uncluttered
• navigation should be easily understood