User`s guide

Creating Accessible Reports
D.1 About accessibility
When you create Crystal reports for a large audience across the organization—and around the
world—you need to account for the diverse needs of that audience. Report designers often create
reports for specific languages, countries, job tasks, or work groups, but it is also important to consider
the accessibility requirements of users.
Report users may have physical, sensory, or cognitive limitations that affect their ability to access the
Web. They may not be able to see, move, or hear. They may have low vision or limited movement.
Some people have dyslexia, color-blindness, or seizure disorders; others have difficulty reading or
understanding text. They may have a combination of disabilities, with varying levels of severity.
People with disabilities often use assistive technologies: products or techniques that help people perform
tasks they cannot perform otherwise. Assistive technologies include adaptive software programs such
as screen readers (which translate text into audible output), screen magnifiers, and speech-recognition
software. People with disabilities may also use special browsers that allow only text or voice-based
navigation. They may use assistive devices such as refreshable Braille displays, or alternative keyboards
that use "sip-and-puff" switches or "eyegaze" technology.
To meet the reporting needs of people with disabilities, your reports should be designed to work with
as many assistive technologies as possible.
Despite the wide range of potential accessibility issues, you can use the techniques described in this
section to create reports that are useful for everyone.
D.1.1 Benefits of accessible reports
As more business and government leaders adopt new standards for delivering web content to people
with disabilities, accessible design is becoming critical to information management and delivery.
Accessible design provides many benefits:
• Accessible reports are easier for everyone to use.
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Creating Accessible Reports