The Barr Foundation makes every effort to create Web pages that are accessible to individuals with disabilities, as well as those using a range of computer technology and browsers.

Key Accessibility Features

The Barr Foundation's website contains the following key accessibility features:

Compliance with accessibility standards
This website has a Priority One accessibility rating based on analysis by Usablenet's award-winning Lift tools, which test and rate compliance with usability and accessibility standards, including Section 508 and W3C.

Descriptive alternative text for all graphics
Alternative tags, or “Alt tags,” show up when images do not appear. Alt tags can also be read by ‘speaking browsers' for people with visual impairments. This allows those with visual impairments or slow Internet connections to understand what types of images are used on the site even if they cannot see the images.

Consistent and clear link names
On this website the title of a document or article is used as the link in almost all cases. This allows users to see the most important information in the link and avoids uninformative link names, such as “Click here.”

Clear navigation and screen presentation
The Barr Foundation has used a consistent format across the entire website. This allows users to grasp the navigation quickly and understand where they are as they move through the site.

Multiple navigation lists
This website includes multiple navigation lists, including navigation near the top of the page and text-based navigation in the footer of each page. This allows users to move through the site more quickly.

No frames
This site does not use frames, which can create a number of accessibility problems for users with and without disabilities. It is often difficult to “bookmark” and print the page you want when frames are in use, and users with speaking browsers cannot easily navigate through a frame-based website.

Minimal use of image maps, automatic redirects
Image maps and auto redirects are used only where absolutely necessary. If used, there is always a text-based alternative or explanation to help those with visual impairments or non-graphic browsers understand the page more easily.

Restricted screen size
This website was created to fit on a screen set to 640 x 480 pixels. This allows all users to see the full width of the screen on any computer and eliminates the need to scroll horizontally to read all of the text.

Browser Compatibility
The Barr Foundation makes every attempt to have our site display in as many browsers as possible. At a minimum, sites should work correctly using:

• Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher;
• Netscape 4.5 or higher; and
• America Online 7.0 or higher.

I’m getting javascript errors.
You are likely using an old Web browser. You may update to a newer browser for free. The leading free browsers include:

Netscape Navigator: http://home.netscape.com
Microsoft Internet Explorer: http://www.microsoft.com

I can’t read some of the attachments on the Web site.
If you cannot read a certain type of attachment, look at the name of the file – specifically the three letters at the end of the filename. Find the proper type of file below to learn how you may read the attachment.

Adobe Acrobat (.pdf at the end of the filename): Download the free Adobe Acrobat reader at www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html
Microsoft Word (.doc at the end of the filename): Purchase Microsoft Word, or open the file in another word processing program by converting it from Microsoft Word.
Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt at the end of the filename): Purchase Microsoft PowerPoint.
Microsoft Excel (.xls at the end of the filename): Purchase Microsoft Excel, or open the file in another spreadsheet program by converting it from Microsoft Excel.

The text on the screen is too small to read.
If you are having trouble reading the text on your screen, you may change your computer’s settings to make the text larger. To do this, follow these simple instructions (for PC users):

1. Go to “Start”, then “Settings”, then click on “Control Panel.”
2. Click on “Display.”
3. Click on the last tab called “Settings.”
4. Set the “Screen Area” box to the smallest setting, which is “640 x 480.”
5. Choose “O.K.”