LINC is providing a Web page-by-Web page assessment on how to make the National Aquarium of Baltimore's 350-page Web site accessible to low- and no-vision visitors. Approximately 1 million people each year peruse the colorful pictures and detailed articles on the Aquarium's award-winning Web site. The bright pictures and lively illustrations that make the Aquarium's site so interesting and attractive can be roadblocks to blind and visually-impaired users. LINC has partnered with System Source and the Aquarium to enable these differently-abled surfers to successfully navigate this site with screen readers that translate the contents of the computer screen into words.

The project requires a meticulous look at the elements of each page with a screen reader. Text that describes each image to screen readers is coded into the source code of a Web site. Graphical images that visitors use to navigate the Aquarium site receive alternative text tags that help all screen readers to understand their function. These tags are constructed in such a way as not to alter the appearance of the Web site and to be invisible to surfers not using screen readers.

The Web site needs of people with physical, learning and cognitive disabilities are continually addressed by LINC. Businesses that would like an accessibility review of their Web site, should call LINC for an appointment. (410-659-5462)