How to Develop Accessible Linux Applications

Sharon Snider

v1.1, 2002-05-03

Revision History
Revision v1.12002-05-03Revised by: sds
Converted to DocBook XML and updated broken links.
Revision v1.02002-01-28Revised by: sds
Wrote and converted to DocBook SGML.

Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Developing Accessible Applications
2.1. Principles for Developing Accessible Applications
3. Guidelines for Developing Accessible Applications
3.1. Keyboard Navigation
3.2. Mouse Interaction
3.3. Graphical Elements and Objects
3.4. Fonts and Text
3.5. Color and High Contrast Settings
3.6. Magnification
3.7. Audio
3.8. Animation
3.9. Focus
3.10. Visual Focus Indicator
3.11. Timing
3.12. Documentation
4. Additional Resources:

1. Introduction

This document provides developers with the information necessary to assess their applications for accessibility. Some of these tests should be performed using various types of adaptive technologies.

Please send any comments, or contributions via e-mail to Sharon Snider. This document will be updated regularly with new contributions and suggestions.


2. Developing Accessible Applications

Some of the most important reasons for developing accessible software are:


3. Guidelines for Developing Accessible Applications

The following sections contain guidelines and tests that developers can use to create more accessible applications. Use Pass, Fail, or Pending as a rating system for each item.


4. Additional Resources:

The following Web sites provide checklists and testing information that is more specific to the various Linux development environments: