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Website Accessibility
The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) website is designed be a model of accessibility and ensure we meet the access needs of any site visitor. DOR has implemented the strict guidelines set forth by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The website meets most of the W3C Web Accessibility Guidelines (Priority 1, Priority 2, and most of Priority 3) and all of the DOJ Section 508 guidelines.
One of the pillars of accessible web design is using defaults and certain design elements that can be adjusted by the end user. This kind of design permits visitors to adjust font size, contrast, and customize other elements to meet their particular viewing needs. Information on some of our special access features, and how to work with custom settings are described below.
Online Forms
On this website there may be online forms (including the online Vocational Rehabilitation Services Application) that can be filled out and submitted. These forms work well with the Jaws 4.5 or Window-Eyes 4.5 screen readers or newer. In addition Windows 2000 (or newer) and Internet Explorer 6.0 (or newer) should be used.
Alternative Text Tag (ALT Tag)
Screen Readers only read text and are unable to read graphics. When the reader encounters a picture or graphic, the device may only indicate "graphic" and give no further information, unless there is an ALT tag. ALT tags assists users without graphic display terminals, users whose browsers don't support forms, visually impaired users who use speech synthesizers, and those who have configured their graphical user agents not to display images. When the device encounters a graphic, the user will hear a short description of what it is, such as, "picture of person putting on a seat belt", rather than the generic "graphic."
Contrast
High contrast is necessary for many users. DOR's website uses some of the best contrast combinations, black on white or blue on white. Some users can see better using high contrast reverse type, such as white on black. Below are guidelines on how the user can customize their own web browser to better view all web pages.
Internet Explorer
Click on the "Tools" menu. Select "Internet Options". Under the "General" tab, select "Accessibility". Place a check mark in the box to "Ignore colors specified on Web pages" and select the " OK" box. This will return you to the "General" tab. Select the "Colors" box and un-check the "use Windows colors" box. Use the "Text" and "Background" boxes to select the colors desired (i.e. white text and black background). Select the "OK" box and then the "OK" box on the "General" tab and the colors should change on the browser.
Netscape 4.0
Click on the "Edit" menu. Select "Preferences". Double click on "Appearance" to expand the menu. Click on "Colors". In the field " Sometimes a document will provide its own colors and backgrounds" check "Always use my colors, overriding document." Use the "Text" and "Background" boxes to select the colors desired (i.e. white text and black background). Select the "OK" box.
Netscape 6.0
Click on the "Edit" menu. Select "Preferences". Double click on "Appearance" to expand the menu. Click on "Colors". In the field " When a web page provides its own color and background" select "Use my own chosen colors, ignoring the colors specified." Use the "Text" and "Background" boxes to select the colors desired (i.e. white text and black background). Select the "OK" box.
Fonts
The fonts used on this site are a default size, which allows you to make adjustments according to your preference. The following is the easiest way to change the font size for the most common web browsers.
Internet Explorer
Click on the "View" menu. Highlight "Text Size". Default setting will be medium. By changing the settings between largest and smallest; the text displayed on the page will be modified.
Netscape 4.0
Click on the "View" menu. Select either "Increase Font" or "Decrease font".
Netscape 6.0
Click on the "View" menu. Highlight "Text Size". Default setting will be 100%. Selecting one of the percentage sizes will change the size of the displayed text.
Another way to change the font size is with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). However, this may require a programming class in CSS for the more intrepid individual.
Graphics
DOR has limited the use of graphics on the site to ease navigation, limit clutter, increase load speed of the site, and eliminate confusion for screen readers and other assistive technology devices our visitors use.
