Accessibility Policy

All Wynchcote templates are built using XHTML compliant code - XHTML 1.0 Transitional.

XHTML refers to the code which comprises the 'building blocks' of a modern dynamic website. This code tells the web browser what goes where. It is important that xhtml is correct so that website content is displayed correctly.

A website not built using valid XHTML code is less accessible than one that is.

When a website has valid XHTML it conforms to the standards set out by the W3C. 

All Wynchcote templates are validated for W3C CSS Level 2 - evidence that they do not incorporate the use of tables to control the layout of content appearing on the screen.

CSS (cascading style sheets) control the appearance of a website. It used to be that the design of a website was achieved through the complicated use of tables.

Old-fashioned websites are built using complex arrangements of tables nested within tables (sometimes endlessly!).

These tables collectively controlled the layout of the website content. The method worked but had many disadvantages: it was a time-consuming complicated process and it caused sites to load much more slowly.

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) are instead used to seperate the design elements of a website from the rest of its code. This allows for more simple design, faster loading when users visit a site, and seperation of content from the design attributes controlling appearance.

Wynchcote uses tables only for the presentation of data (content) requiring a tabular format. Wynchcote does not otherwise use tables to control content layout.

When a website has valid CSS it conforms to the standards set out by the W3C.

{tab=WCAG 2.0}WCAG 2.0 Level AA Colour Contrast

We aim to ensure that all Wynchcote template and website designs meet at least with the requirements of WCAG 2.0 Level A. 

We go further with regard to colour combinations used by our templates, aiming as we do to ensure that these comply as a minimum with the Level AA criteria of the WCAG 2.0 Guidleines.

Level AA

Success Criterion 1.4.3 of WCAG 2.0 requires the visual presentation of text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1, except for the following:

Large Text: Large-scale text and images of large-scale text have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1;

Incidental: Text or images of text that are part of an inactive user interface component, that are pure decoration, that are not visible to anyone, or that are part of a picture that contains significant other visual content, have no contrast requirement.

Logotypes: Text that is part of a logo or brand name has no minimum contrast requirement.

Benefits of Complying with WCAG 2.0

"People with low vision often have difficulty reading text that does not contrast with its background. This can be exacerbated if the person has a color vision deficiency that lowers the contrast even further. Providing a minimum luminance contrast ratio between the text and its background can make the text more readable even if the person does not see the full range of colors. It also works for the rare individuals who see no color." (WCAG 2.0)

{tab=Client Support}Client Support

Wynchcote aims to raise awareness amongst all Wynchcote clients of the need when adding and editing content to ensure that they are not disdvantaging any users, for example, those who may be visually impaired.

Wynchcote Dynamic Website Kits model several simple steps that all website administrators can take to avoid disadvantaging users.

The initial Wynchcote Dynamic Website Kit content adheres to the following set of rules:

a) images utilise an "ALT" or "TITLE" tag to provide a text based alternative to the image (useful for screen readers);

b) use of tables is reserved for truly tabular data i.e. not used for fine control of visual layout such as placing text into columns, indeed we encourage the use of table-less tables through provision of a Tables CSS file and exemplar content with guidance for its use;

c) colour is not relied upon as a method of conveying information;

d) there is sufficient contrast ratio between background and foreground colours to allow viewing on a black and white display or by someone with visual impairment;

e) simple and clear language is used where possible;

f) correct punctuation is used, for example, ending a sentence with a full stop;

g) scripts may be used within articles but all content is accessible without the use of scripts;

h) where forms are used they follow a logical tab sequence and make use of label elements to identify the input required.

i) website navigation is configured to ensure that users can return to the home page or major subsections using only one or two mouse clicks.

Wynchcote Joomla! 1.5 templates are validated for XHTML and CSS Level 2 compliance at their development stage. They are 'table-free'.

Joomla! 1.5 - the platform on which Wynchcote builds its Dynamic Website Kits - does however incorporate the use of tables in its design.

Fortunately, Joomla! 1.5 employs far fewer tables than its predecessor (Joomla! 1.0) and so there has been a significant improvement in accessibility. We may see a similar step change when the stable version of Joomla! 1.6 becomes available.

Wynchcote Dynamic Website Kits may also utilise Joomla! extensions designed by third party developers. It is important to note that third party Joomla! extensions are not always XHTML and/or CSS Level 2 compliant. They are not always 'table-free'.