Datasheet

For example, a text object may instruct users to "click the green button" to open a subreport. Users with
limited vision cannot tell which button is green. The button should be recognizable by another defining
characteristic besides its color. For example, you can change the button graphic to a shape that is not
used elsewhere on the report, and instruct users to "click the green arrow button". This solution provides
color information for people who can distinguish colors, and extra information for people who cannot.
Other common situations where color may be used to provide important information include:
• Highlighting
To highlight particular values in a table, do not change only the color of the value. If you highlight
outstanding invoices in red, for example, they may look the same as the paid invoices to someone
with limited vision. In the Highlighting Expert dialog box, change a font characteristic other than
color, such as font style.
• Hyperlinks
Using color as the only method for identifying hyperlinks may also cause problems for color-blind
users. When you print your report in black and white, check the hyperlinks to ensure that they are
still visible.
• Identifying important areas of the report
Do not organize a report by using color as a background or as a separator between different sections
or areas. Instead of using color to identify sections, establish clear and consistent navigation for the
entire report.
27.2.4 Navigation
As with other aspects of accessible design, providing several alternative navigation methods can help
you meet the reporting needs of more people. The W3C recommends including several different
navigation methods. On the other hand, simplicity is critical for intuitive navigation. Section 508
recommends simple navigation that uses the least number of navigation links possible. Either approach
can be effective for your reports, as long as you maintain clarity and consistency.
You may want to use report parts to navigate a report (or to connect several reports). If you provide a
series of links in a page header, keep in mind that screen-reading software will reread the navigation
information every time the user refreshes the page or views a new page. In this case, simple navigation
is preferable.
For a large report, you could provide a list of navigation links as a table of contents in the report header.
More extensive navigation can be useful when you have a large volume of data. To allow users to skip
the list, you could start with a "Skip the table of contents" link that jumps ahead to the first page header.
In general, report navigation should follow these guidelines:
• Identify the target of each link.
• Provide information at the start of the report that describes the layout and navigation.
2011-05-16678
Creating Accessible Reports