Archive for February, 2009

Northern Virginia Community College – Episode #51

Monday, February 16th, 2009

Site Scores:

Site Visual Information Code Overall
Northern Virginia Community College 94 78 90 (262/300) 87% B

Today’s Tip:

A great deal of users do not come into your site from your homepage. The saying “Google is your new homepage” is totally true, users are going to land on one of your interior pages as their first impression. Make sure to include context information about your pages around the content. So your users can orient themselves quickly and get to related content without going back to your homepage.


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Eastern Mennonite University – Episode #50

Friday, February 13th, 2009

Site Scores:

Site Visual Information Code Overall
Eastern Mennonite University 84 87 85 (256/300) 85% B

Today’s Tip:

Every form should have a submit button, you cannot guarantee that all users will have an “enter” key. Making your web page accessible means making no assumptions about the users computer setup. If they are on a mobile phone without an enter key there is no way to submit the form. If their assistive device focus’s on the field to enter text there might also be no way for them to submit the form.


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University of Michigan – Episode #49

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

Site Scores:

Site Visual Information Code Overall
University of Michigan 83 85 93 (261/300) 87% B

Today’s Tip:

Every university homepage should have their accessibility options and resources available quickly. Right up top is probably the best spot since viewing the page on a screen reader or assistive device that runs through the page from top to bottom and if those options are quick to get to those users will thank you. At minimum having a text only or resources where they can get the basic information on the pages without too much hassle.


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Western New Mexico University – Episode #48

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

Site Scores:

Site Visual Information Code Overall
Western New Mexico University 45 55 62 (162/300) 54% F

Today’s Tip:

The university homepage’s primary audience in my opinion should be prospective students. This is the first spot they are going to land and it is their first impression of your university. All the images, navigation and content should reflect this getting these prospective student to the information they need quickly and without hassle. I am not saying they are the only audience but just the primary, keep them in mind when making all homepage decisions.


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