This document provides advice on configuring popular Web browsers in order to ensure your Web site is widely accessible. The document covers Internet Explorer 7.0, Firefox 3 and Opera 9.6 running on Microsoft Windows.
Some browsers do not support JavaScript. Some organisations / individuals will disable JavaScript due to security concerns.
Browser | Technique |
---|---|
Internet Explorer | Select Tools menu and Internet Options option. Select the Security tab, choose the Internet icon choose the Custom level option. Scroll to the Scripting option and choose the Disable (or Prompt) option. |
Firefox | Select Tools menu and Options option. Open Content, unselect the Enable Javascript option and select OK. |
Opera | Select File menu and choose Preferences option. Choose the Multimedia option, disable JavaScript option and select OK. |
Some individuals will need to resize the display in order to read the information provided.
Browser | Technique |
---|---|
Internet Explorer | Select View menu and choose Text Size option. |
Firefox | Select View menu and choose the Zoom option. Choose the option to Zoom in. Repeat using Zoom out |
Opera | Select View menu and choose Zoom option. Then zoom by a factor or, say, 50% and 150%. |
Some people cannot see images and some may disable images for performance or privacy reasons.
Browser | Technique |
---|---|
Internet Explorer | Select Tools menu and Internet Options option. Uncheck the Show pictures automatically option. |
Firefox | Select View menu and Options option. Open the Content tab, uncheck the Load images automatically tab and select OK. |
Opera | Select File menu and choose Preferences option. Choose Multimedia option, select the Show images pull-down menu and choose the Show no images option and select OK. |
Some browsers and assistive technologies may not support pop-up windows. Individuals may disable pop-up windows due to their misuse by some commercial sites.
Browser | Technique |
---|---|
Internet Explorer | Select the Tools tab and Pop-Up Blocker option. Ensure that the Pop-Up Blocker option is selected. |
Firefox | Select Tools menu and Options option. Select the Content tab and click on the Block pop-up windows option. |
Opera | Select File menu and choose Preferences option. Choose Windows option in the Pop-ups pull-down menu and choose the Refuse Pop-ups option and select OK. |
You should use the procedures in a systematic way: for example as part of a formal testing procedure in which specific tasks are carried out.
Bookmarklets are browser extension may extend the functionality of a browser. Many accessibility bookmarklets are available (known as Firefox Extensions for the Firefox browser). It is suggested that such tools are used in accessibility testing. See Interfaces To Web Testing Tools at <http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue34/web-focus/>