Sample Flash Animation

Dr. Robert Beauchamp Associate Professor and Program Director, Environmental Management Program University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, MD View Original Flash Animations | View Revised Flash Animations

Dr. Beauchamp's multimedia Flash animations describe environmental and geologic processes that are difficult for some students to grasp in an online, text-based environment. The original animations and alternate HTML versions were created with the help of a technical support staff, including a multimedia designer, graphic artist, and Web programmer.

The Problem | How it Was Fixed | Lessons Learned

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The Problem

The Flash animation was not accessible to students who use the keyboard to navigate, including students with mobility impairments and screen reader users:

• The controls (buttons and sliders) required mouse clicks, and could not be controlled via the keyboard.
  
  
• An embedded Flash test (to determine if the Flash software was installed) was not keyboard-navigable, and students were unable to move past the test to other parts of the page.
  
  

Neither was the alternate HTML version completely accessible:

• It lacked an overall navigation scheme.
  
  
• It introduced additional content via text equivalents and long descriptions, which helped screen reader users and others who chose to access it but was hidden from most users.

How It Was Fixed

A multimedia Web programmer and designer implemented four major accessibility changes:

• The embedded test for Flash software was replaced with an external link to the Macromedia Web site, giving users the choice not to run the test.
  
  
• Additional programming made the Flash animation keyboard-accessible. For example, a user can press the Space Bar key to play the animation. (How To: Multimedia: Flash)
  
  
• A main menu was added to each alternate HTML version to simplify navigation and indicate how many items are in the section. (How To: Web Pages: Navigation)
  
  
• Descriptive content was added below each image in the HTML versions to supplement the alternative text . (How To: Multimedia: Flash)

The revised Flash and HTML versions provide viable options for students who cannot see, who must use the keyboard to navigate, or who simply want to print a version for later review.

Lessons Learned

1. Consider accessibility at the beginning of the project. Add keyboard shortcuts to every Flash file, and develop an HTML version concurrently with the Flash version to save time in the long run.
   
   
2. The alternate HTML version helps not just students who are blind, but those who do not install Flash, or do not want to wait for the file to download over a dial-up modem. The HTML version should therefore be a complete product that supports all students. Design and development may take a little longer, but it will be a much more useful addition to a course.
   
   
3. Flash may pose accessibility challenges, but it still can be a useful tool. Remember to keep accessibility in mind, and provide viable alternatives.