Web Accessibility Toolbar – Function Descriptions

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AIS [ctrl + alt + 0] 
Function Description
Accessible Information Solutions (AIS) Links to information about AIS services
Accessibility Toolbar Options
  • Toggle Display Of Hot keys – show/hide hot keys.
  • Toggle Display Of Button Icons – show/hide main menu icons.
  • Accessibility Toolbar Update – Downloads the latest toolbar Function file from the NILS Server
  • Uninstall – Information on how to uninstall
Accessibility Toolbar – Documentation Information about Toolbar functionality
Accessibility Toolbar and WCAG 1.0 Information about which toolbar functions (if any) are useful in assessing conformance to the WCAG 1.0 checkpoints.
Accessibility Toolbar – About Information about The toolbar Version and Toolbar Development.
Contact AIS Email the Accessible Information Solutions team at NILS
Updated yyyy-mm-dd The last time the toolbar function file was updated on your machine. The toolbar checks for updates every 24 hours.

Validate [ctrl + alt + 1] 
Function Description
W3C HTML Validator

  • Validate HTML
  • Validate HTML (New Window)
  • Validate HTML (File Upload)
  • Validate Framed Pages
Checks the HTML code of the current page(s) using the W3C HTML Validator
Note: Validate HTML (File Upload) – when a html file is opened locally, using the file > open dialog (not through a web server) [example file C:\example.html] in IE, activating the file upload function will send the html code to the validator automatically.
W3C CSS Validator

  • Validate CSS
  • Validate CSS (New Window)
Checks the CSS code of the current page using the W3C CSS Validator
W3C HTML Tidy

  • Check Repair HTML
  • Check Repair HTML (New Window)
Checks the HTML code of the current page and offers the option to view/download a repaired “tidied” version of the page using HTML Tidy
W3C Link Checker

  • Check Current Page
  • Check Current Page(New Window)
  • Check Linked Pages(New Window)
Checks anchors (hyperlinks) in a HTML/XHTML document(s). Useful to find broken links, etc. using the W3C Link checker
WDG HTML Validator

  • Validate HTML
  • Validate HTML (New Window)
  • Enter Code – Link to the WDG Validator page that contains a form for entering html code for validation
  • Validate Framed Pages
  • Validate Site – validates all pages on current site
Checks the HTML code of current page(s) using the WDG HTML Validator
WDG Link Valet

  • Check Linked Pages
  • Check Linked Pages(New Window)
Checks anchors (hyperlinks) in a HTML/XHTML document(s). Useful to find broken links, etc. using WDG Link Valet
P3P Validator Checks for the presence and validity of P3P format privacy information

Resize [ctrl + alt + 2] 
Function Description
640X480 Resizes the current browser window to a width of 640 pixels and a height of 480 pixels.
800X600 Resizes the current browser window to a width of 800 pixels and a height of 600 pixels.
1024X768 Resizes the current browser window to a width of 1024 pixels and a height of 768 pixels.
Custom Sizes – Custom height/width Resizes the current browser window to a user defined height/width
Screen Size Tester Link to an Online Screen Size Tester and information about screen sizes for a range of browser/screen resolutions/platforms.

CSS [ctrl + alt + 3] 
Function Description
Disable CSS Disables external style sheets & removes the ‘style’ attribute (if present) from all page elements
Show Applied Styles Displays the styles (in a new window) associated with the content currently located under the mouse cursor.
Script from Simon Willison
Show Style Sheet Displays the content of style sheets link to the current page (in a new window)
Test Styles Edit and apply styles to the current page on the fly (in a new window) includes dropdown list of style rules found within style sheets referenced from the current page. The styles will persist across pages (within the current site) while the style editor window is left open.
Developed from a script by Jesse Ruderman
Deprecated HTML
  • Displays elements (only) deprecated in HTML 4 within the current page.
  • Displays the source code of the current page (in a new window) with deprecated elements and attributes highlighted.
    Developed by Sofia Celic

Images [ctrl + alt + 4] 
Function Description
Image List Displays (in a new window) a list of images along with the corresponding img element.
Developed from a script by Lioren
Toggle Image/alt Replaces all img elements on the current page with the content of their alt attributes within quotation marks. If an img element does not have an alt attribute the image is replaced with the text ‘NoAlt!’
Show Images Shows an img element next to each image (along with the images’ alt attribute, if the img does not have an alt attribute the text ‘NoAlt!’ is displayed) and puts a red border around each image.
Show Image Maps Checks for the presence of client-side and server-side image maps. if none are found it is indicated by an alert message. If image maps are found, they are displayed in a new window along with the associated area elements

Colour [ctrl + alt + 6] 
Function Description
Greyscale Renders the current page content in black & white
Note: does not work on PNG files
Colours Used Displays (in a new window) a list of all the colours found within the CSS of the current page.
Sourced from milov.nl
Colour Contrast Analyser Opens the Juicy Studio Colour Contrast Analyser (in a new window).
Vischeck Colour Blindness Simulator (Deuteranope: common red/green) Submits the URL of the current page to the Vischeck Colour Blindeness Simulator the URL is processesd (may take a little while), a page will open with a link to the simulation (in a new window).

Structure [ctrl + alt + 5] 
Function Description
Headings Shows all heading elements on the current page
Heading Structure Displays the Document title, and Headings (h1 – h6 including content) in a new window. Based on feature from The Wave 3.5
List Items Shows ordered, unordered and definition list elements on the current page
Fieldset / Labels Shows Fieldset, legend and label elements on the current page. Show the for attribute of the label element if present, displays the text ‘NoFor!’ if not present. Displays the id [id=””] attribute of form controls, if present.
Acronyms / Abbreviations Shows Acronym and Abbreviation elements, and their title attributes, on the current page
JavaScript / New Window Links
  • Displays an icon  next to links that contain JavaScript in the href attribute. The links are also given a dashed border and background colour.
  • Displays an icon  next to links that contain an onclick event handler and common words used in new window scripts in the href and/or the onclick attribute. The links are also given a dashed border and background colour.
  • Displays an icon  next to links that have their target attribute specified (_self & _top are excluded) . The links are also given a background colour.

Aknowledgement toAutark who created the script this is based on.

Event Handlers Displays a warning  beside an element if the element

  • has an onmouseover attribute without a corresponding onfocus
  • has an onclick attribute without a corresponding onkeypress
  • is a select element and has an onchange attribute
  • has an onfocus attribute but cannot receive focus

Displays an information bubble  beside an element if the element

  • has an onmouseover attribute with a corresponding onfocus
  • has an onclick attribute with a corresponding onkeypress

The alt text of each icon contains information about why the warning/information bubble is present.

Access keys Displays accesskey attributes found on the current page
Tabindex Displays tabindex attributes found on the current page
Show Tab Order Numbers and adds a border to each active element, showing the order in which these elements are accessed via the keyboard ‘Tab’ key.
Note: Tabindex is taken into account, if set. iframes, image maps and embedded objects (example: flash files) are counted as 1 increment in the tab order.
Simple Data Table Shows Table, th td & caption elements on the current page along with recommended attributes for marking up simple data tables(summary, scope). A warning is given if summary [“No summary!”] or scope [“No scope!”] attributes are not present on the appropriate elements.
Complex Data Table Shows Table, th td & caption elements on the current page along with recommended attributes for marking up Complex data tables(summary, scope,id & headers). A warning is given if summary [“No summary!”], scope [“No scope!”], id [“No id!”], headers [“No headers!”] attributes are not present on the appropriate elements.
Table Borders Shows borders of all tables / table cells on the current page
Table Cell Order Shows the tab order (numbers) and borders of table cells on the the current page
Linearise (Remove Tables) Removes all table, td tr,th div elements for the current page
Frame Borders Shows borders of all frame elements on the current page
Frame Name / Title Displays (in a new window) a list of framed pages along with their frame elements name and title attribute content
Show Divs Shows the tab order (numbers) and borders of Div elements on the current page.
Show Other Elements Shows an JavaScript prompt box where the name of an element can be entered, then shows another prompt where a colour can be entered (default is red), then puts borders around instances of the nominated element found on the current page. Developed from a script on Centricle

Tools [ctrl + alt + 7] 
Function Description
The Wave Submits the URL of the current page to the Wave accessibility checking tool (2 options: current or new window)
Torquemada Submits the URL of the current page to the Torquemada accessibility checking tool (2 options: in Italian or English)
Test de Accesibilidad Web (TAW) Submits the URL of the current page to the TAW accessibility checking tool (2 options: current or new window)
Cynthia Says Submits the URL of the current page to the Cynthia Says accessibility checking tool (2 options: current or new window)
Webxact / Bobby Note: Bobby has now been superseded by Webxact
Submits the URL of the current page to the Webxact tool for checking quality, accessibility, and privacy issues.
4 options:

  • Check current page WACG AAA [new window]
  • Check current page WACG AA [new window]
  • Check current page WACG A [new window]
  • Check current page Section 508 [new window]
Juicy Studio Tools
View Source Shows the source code of the current page in Notepad
View Generated Source Displays the DOM tree of the page as HTML.[new window]
View Partial Source Displays the DOM tree of the selected content as HTML and displays a copy of the selected content. [new window]
Save as HTML Opens the standard ‘Save as’ box

Tools > Simulations
Function Description
Disable Plugins Removes java, flash, background music, and third-party iframes. Developed from a script on Jesse’s Bookmarklets Site
Disable Mouse Stops the user from accessing the functionality of the current page using the mouse left click/select events (currently does not stop mouseover/onmouse based events} When a user presses the left mouse button an alert box appears. Note: right click is not disabled
Diabetic Retinopathy Places an image mask over the current page that simulates the effects upon vision experienced by people who have Diabetic Retinopathy
(Note:the page cannot be used while the simulation is in effect.
Cataracts Blurs the page content simulating the effect upon vision experienced by people who have Cataracts
Macular Degeneration Places an image mask (dark circular blob, semi-transparent at the periphery) over the current page that simulates the effects upon vision experienced by people who have Macular Degeneration. Moving the mouse over the ‘blob’ and left clicking will make the ‘blob’ follow the movement of the mouse cursor.
(Note: the page cannot be used while the simulation is in effect.)
Glaucoma Places an image mask (black, with roughly oval transparent area) over the current page that simulates the effects upon vision experienced by people who have Glaucoma. Moving the mouse over the ‘transparent area’ and left clicking will make the ‘transparent area’ follow the movement of the mouse cursor.
(Note: the page cannot be used while the simulation is in effect.)
Colour Blindness Places an image mask over the current page that re-colourizes the page into a palette that closely resembles the typical palette available to a person having a red/green color vision deficiency.
(Note: the page cannot be used while the simulation is in effect.)
This Functionality is provided by Q42
Reduce Contrast Places an image mask over the current page that allows the user to reduce the opacity (30%/60%/90%) of the current page simulating the age related reduction in contrast sensitivity
This Functionality is based on the colour contrast check from Q42
(Note: the page cannot be used while the simulation is in effect.)
Lynx Viewer Opens the current page (in a new window) in the Lynx Viewer. This service allows web authors to see what their pages will look like (sort of) when viewed with Lynx, a text-mode web browser.
Flickering Images Demo Opens a link (in a new window) to a flicker rates demonstration. This demonstration is to help developers identify when they have created content that flickers at a rate that may cause problems for some viewers.

Doc Info [ctrl + alt + 8] 
Function Description
Page Information Displays (in a new window) information (Including: title, file size, creation date, number of images,links,forms,scripts) about the page you are currently viewing.
Developed from a script on Oregon State University web site
Metadata Information Displays (in a new window) a list of all the meta elements, and their content, found on the current page.
Show DOCTYPE Displays (in an alert) the DOCTYPE of the current HTML document.
Show Lang Attributes Displays on the current page any lang attributes found along with their associated elements.
with acknowledgement to: Bartimeus Accessibility Foundation
Page Weight/Speed Displays (in an alert box) document size and approximate download times at various modem speeds.
Developed from a script on sam-i-am.com
Page Speed Report Submits the URL of the current page to the Online Web Page Analyser (in a new window) provided by Websiteoptimazation.com
List Frames Displays (in a new window) a list of the framed pages URL’s with frame element names, of the page you are currently viewing.
List Links Displays (in a new window) a list of the link urls,content and title attribute(if present) found on the current page.
List Downloadable Files Displays (in a new window) a list of the links to Downloadable Files (Examples: PDF, MP3, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, ZIP) found on the current page.
Developed from a script by Sofia Celic
Identify Multimedia Files Displays (in a new window) the code of any object/embed elements found. it also lists links to Multimedia files (Examples: mp3, mov, swf, ram etc) found on the current page.
Developed by Sofia Celic
Identify Scripts & Applets Displays (in a new window) any applets found and the associated code. It also lists embedded and external scripts found and in most cases allows the viewing and downloading of external scripts linked from current page.
Developed by Sofia Celic with aknowledgement to Lioren

Refs [ctrl + alt + 9] 

The References section contains links to relevant information and resources found on the web.


IE Options [ctrl + alt + S] 
Function Description
Toggle Images [ctrl + alt + I] Turns images on/off via the IE Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Show Pictures
Toggle Javascript [ctrl + alt + J] Turns Javascript on/off via the IE Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level > Active Scripting enable/disable
Note: As much of the toolbar functionality is based on Javascript many functions will not work while Javascript is disabled.
Toggle ActiveX [ctrl + alt + A] Turns ActiveX on/off via the IE Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level > Run ActiveX controls and Plug-ins – good for checking pages with Flash etc.
Accessibility Dialog [ctrl + alt + D] Opens the IE Tools > Internet Options > Accessibility Dialog
Toggle CSS Turns Internet Explorer CSS support on/off.
Note: This is not a function that Microsoft supplies. Leaving CSS support off can effect the display of windows and dialogs outside of Internet Explorer that rely upon CSS support, so please remember to turn CSS support back on before closing the browser. If you do notice any odd effects open up IE and turn CSS back on.
Text Size It is the same functionality as IE View > Text Size >
“hot keys” are associated with: smallest [ctrl + alt + Q], medium [ctrl + alt + Y], largest [ctrl + alt + Z]

Magnify [ctrl + alt + M] 
Function Description
Magnify Zoom in and out (25% to 600%) on the content of the current page

Toolbar Function Accesskeys
Function Key Combination
IE Options > Toggle Images ctrl + alt + I
IE Options > Toggle Javascript ctrl + alt + J
IE Options > Accessibility Dialog ctrl + alt + D
IE Options > Text Size > smallest ctrl + alt + Q
IE Options > Text Size > medium ctrl + alt + Y
IE Options > Text Size > largest ctrl + alt + Z
Toolbar Menu Accesskeys
Menu Key Combination
AIS/ Toolbar Options ctrl + alt + 0
Validate ctrl + alt + 1
Resize ctrl + alt + 2
CSS ctrl + alt + 3
Images ctrl + alt + 4
Colour ctrl + alt + 5
Structure ctrl + alt + 6
Tools ctrl + alt + 7
Doc Info ctrl + alt + 8
Refs ctrl + alt + 9
IE Options ctrl + alt + S
Magnify ctrl + alt + M