Finding your way:

Accessible Web Page Design:
Are BODY BACKGROUNDs Accessible?

Example 2.

The background I chose for this page, while not particularly professional, at least does not intrude quite as much on the text as does the previous example. But then, you might ask, "are my colour choices appropriate or accessible?" I don't know. The perception of colour and contrast is entirely individual -- what works for me may not work for you. (Strangely enough, this background looks worse on some 256-colour LCD laptop displays than the "bad" example on the previous page -- go figure!)

I am repeating this paragraph because you may not have been able to read it on the previous page: Almost all textured background choices are bad. This is a personal opinion, but I have seen very few "background" graphics that do not make reading a page more difficult. Remember: you, the page designer, do not have ultimate control the font types, sizes or colours that the end user (your client) has chosen as defaults. As an end user, I will not waste any time trying to find the combination of fonts and colours that you had in mind when you designed your page.

If you must use a background graphic (for corporate or site identity) then the guidelines are:

1. Have it done by a professional who understands colour and design,
2. Ensure that your text is readable by having a few people look at it and provide you with their impressions.

Look at the BAD example again.

Finding your way.

Making Photographs & Graphics Accessible.
Making Bullets and Numbered Lists Accessible.