Until I began reading through the resources given by Brad on web accessibility, I had no idea such a concept even existed, let alone the fact that there was an entire initiative devoted to it. A little further research into the notion and this is what I managed to dig up:
Web accessibility basically refers to the ways in which people with disabilities can access the Internet[1]. Most web sites and web software have “accessibility barriers”[2], which prevent people with disabilities from accessing them. As a result, web accessibility guidelines and initiatives have been implemented in an attempt to provide disabled people with tools that will help them to “perceive, navigate, and interact with the Web.”[3]
It is important to note that the term “disability” not only refers to physical disabilities such as blindness or deafness, but also refers to people who are unable to access the web as a result of the physical environment in which they are situated. The latter particularly concerns the majority of people living in African countries, where high poverty levels have led to slow and expensive Internet connections.
So, now that we have an understanding of what web accessibility is, of what concern is it to me as a journalist?
The Internet has often been described as the democratic medium, allegedly providing information to all people and giving citizens a space to voice their concerns. There are certain groups of people, however, who have been marginalised as a result of their physical disabilities or their lack of socio-economic resources[4].
Journalists are not only responsible for the gathering and producing of news and information, but are also responsible for the dissemination of that news and information to all citizens. New media journalists are therefore faced with the challenge of providing information to all people in society by utilising a medium that has succeeded in excluding a large number of people.
By marginalising certain groups of people, information access technologies provide certain citizens with the information and, therefore, the power to make decisions regarding the societies in which they live. Similarly, in providing only a certain number of citizens with a digital platform by which to voice their concerns and opinions, the issues and concerns of marginalised groups remain unheard. As a result, new media journalists have a responsibility to utilise web accessibility tools and methods in an attempt to ensure that disabled people get equal access to essential information as well as equal access to the digital platform by which to voice their own concerns.
In South Africa, the biggest accessibility barrier is slow Internet connections due to high poverty levels. South African new media journalists, therefore, have a responsibility to ensure that their multimedia material and web pages are accessible to the greatest number of people quickly and cost-effectively. By utilising web accessibility tools, journalists can attempt to curb the marginality of certain groups of people.
[1] Henry, S. 2007. “Web Accessibility Initiative”. Web Accessibility Initiative. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.w3.org/WAI/
[2] See above
[3] See above
[4] Spence, C. 2006. “Information and Communications Technology: Challenges” National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ndi.org/globalp/ict/programs/challenges.asp
Showing posts with label XHTML. Show all posts
Showing posts with label XHTML. Show all posts
Wednesday, 07 March 2007
Tuesday, 06 March 2007
XHTML and Me
I have officially been battling with xhtml for nearly two weeks and it is both a frustrating and rewarding experience at the same time. I am a fast worker by nature and tend to be careless when it comes to the finer details and this, as I have learned the hard way, is not on in the world of markup languages.
This post is actually an extension of a previous one that looked at the relevance of journalists learning and utilising xhtml. One could argue that mastering the entangled mesh of codes and symbols is superfluous when web design programmes such as Macromedia Dreamweaver allow anyone to design a web page. However, as a journalism and media studies student who is required to learn xhtml as part of my course, I am going to stand firm in my previous assertion thatit is important for journalists to have a solid grasp of the technical language of xhtml and here’s why:
Niles[1] argues that by learning xhtml, journalism students are not only taught how to create web pages through hardcoding, but are also being taught and reminded of the important principles of journalism. An example that I have already mentioned, is precision. As a media producer, it is essential, when writing an article or taking a photograph, that the information being recorded and published is accurate. As a result, journalists need to be precise, not only in the gathering of information, but also in the actual production and distribution of that information. Xhtml is an intricate combination of codes and by leaving out the smallest, seemingly insignificant symbol can alter the entire layout of your web page. By learning to pay attention to detail, through the mastering of xhtml, journalists will be more accurate publishers of news and information.
Another reason to support the need for journalists to grasp xhtml is that it helps them to “develop the ability to understand a technical language”[2]. Journalists often have to engage with people and issues that they know very little about and they may not have an understanding of particular technical jargon that is used. Niles states that by learning a technical language like xhtml, journalists are given an opportunity to overcome their fear of technical jargon. It may also provide journalists with the ability to make sense of seemingly tedious jargonised information and documents. As a result of being able to better understand and interpret technical jargon, journalists will be better equipped to ask more informed questions and interrogate more effectively the nature of the information, thus providing a more well-rounded and thoroughly researched article.
Niles also says that by gaining an understanding of xhtml, journalists are able to set up web pages without having to buy expensive software. This is good news for journalists in African countries, who may not be able to afford the software. Many African journalists do not have Internet access in their newsrooms due to the cost of Internet connections. As a result, many of them access the Internet through Internet Cafes or through one computer in their newsroom. These computers may not have the web page design programmes on them, which may prove problematic for journalists who do not have a firm grasp of xhtml. However, with an understanding of xhtml, journalists can utilise simple programmes such as notepad, which is available on most computers, to set up web pages.
With regard to web accessibility, which will be discussed in greater detail in another post, by having a firm grasp of xhtml, journalists can develop and follow methods that promote web accessibility to people not only with physical disabilities, but also to those who struggle with slow Internet connections (Yes, Africa, I am talking to you).
By mastering xhtml, journalists are able to follow specific guidelines, like the ones suggested by Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0[3]. In order to make the web more accessible, journalists need to be able to identify and manipulate various xhtml elements. Henry[4] argues that by misusing markup language makes it difficult for users with specialised software to understand and navigate through the web pages.
In a continent that is hindered by increased poverty, Internet connections are costly and slow. As a result, the web is largely inaccessible to the majority of people living in African countries. By gaining an understanding of xhtml, as a journalist I am better suited to an African context because I will be able to use xhtml to make the web more accessible to users, shortening downloading time by replacing images with text equivalent elements, for example.
As a result, learning xhtml does not only have the ability to benefit the journalist, but it has the potential to provide people in Africa with better access to information.
[1] Niles, R. 2005. “From the Teaching Trenches: Hardcoding is Harder, but Results are Worth It”. USC Annenberg Online Journalism Review. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/050113niles/
[2] See above
[3] Henry, S. 2007. “Web Accessibility Initiative”. Web Accessibility Initiative. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.w3.org/WAI/
[4] See above
This post is actually an extension of a previous one that looked at the relevance of journalists learning and utilising xhtml. One could argue that mastering the entangled mesh of codes and symbols is superfluous when web design programmes such as Macromedia Dreamweaver allow anyone to design a web page. However, as a journalism and media studies student who is required to learn xhtml as part of my course, I am going to stand firm in my previous assertion thatit is important for journalists to have a solid grasp of the technical language of xhtml and here’s why:
Niles[1] argues that by learning xhtml, journalism students are not only taught how to create web pages through hardcoding, but are also being taught and reminded of the important principles of journalism. An example that I have already mentioned, is precision. As a media producer, it is essential, when writing an article or taking a photograph, that the information being recorded and published is accurate. As a result, journalists need to be precise, not only in the gathering of information, but also in the actual production and distribution of that information. Xhtml is an intricate combination of codes and by leaving out the smallest, seemingly insignificant symbol can alter the entire layout of your web page. By learning to pay attention to detail, through the mastering of xhtml, journalists will be more accurate publishers of news and information.
Another reason to support the need for journalists to grasp xhtml is that it helps them to “develop the ability to understand a technical language”[2]. Journalists often have to engage with people and issues that they know very little about and they may not have an understanding of particular technical jargon that is used. Niles states that by learning a technical language like xhtml, journalists are given an opportunity to overcome their fear of technical jargon. It may also provide journalists with the ability to make sense of seemingly tedious jargonised information and documents. As a result of being able to better understand and interpret technical jargon, journalists will be better equipped to ask more informed questions and interrogate more effectively the nature of the information, thus providing a more well-rounded and thoroughly researched article.
Niles also says that by gaining an understanding of xhtml, journalists are able to set up web pages without having to buy expensive software. This is good news for journalists in African countries, who may not be able to afford the software. Many African journalists do not have Internet access in their newsrooms due to the cost of Internet connections. As a result, many of them access the Internet through Internet Cafes or through one computer in their newsroom. These computers may not have the web page design programmes on them, which may prove problematic for journalists who do not have a firm grasp of xhtml. However, with an understanding of xhtml, journalists can utilise simple programmes such as notepad, which is available on most computers, to set up web pages.
With regard to web accessibility, which will be discussed in greater detail in another post, by having a firm grasp of xhtml, journalists can develop and follow methods that promote web accessibility to people not only with physical disabilities, but also to those who struggle with slow Internet connections (Yes, Africa, I am talking to you).
By mastering xhtml, journalists are able to follow specific guidelines, like the ones suggested by Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0[3]. In order to make the web more accessible, journalists need to be able to identify and manipulate various xhtml elements. Henry[4] argues that by misusing markup language makes it difficult for users with specialised software to understand and navigate through the web pages.
In a continent that is hindered by increased poverty, Internet connections are costly and slow. As a result, the web is largely inaccessible to the majority of people living in African countries. By gaining an understanding of xhtml, as a journalist I am better suited to an African context because I will be able to use xhtml to make the web more accessible to users, shortening downloading time by replacing images with text equivalent elements, for example.
As a result, learning xhtml does not only have the ability to benefit the journalist, but it has the potential to provide people in Africa with better access to information.
[1] Niles, R. 2005. “From the Teaching Trenches: Hardcoding is Harder, but Results are Worth It”. USC Annenberg Online Journalism Review. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/050113niles/
[2] See above
[3] Henry, S. 2007. “Web Accessibility Initiative”. Web Accessibility Initiative. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.w3.org/WAI/
[4] See above
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
