Web Policies

Why use the <ABBR> and <ACRONYM> Tags?

Imagine for a second that you can't see. Instead of looking at this screen, someone would be reading the text to you.

People with visual impairments use computer programs called screen readers in order to browse the web. The programs act as the "someone" who reads all of the content on a page to the user. To listen to what a speech reader sounds like, go to the following URL:

http://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/0528blind.html 

Pretty neat, huh?

Now, imagine that the speech reader comes across a word like NSO, CSSG, or OCAAT? Unfortunately, these words aren't in the vocabulary of a speech reader. Without adding these tags, the speech reader becomes your favorite kindergartner sounding out the words.

Um, what is the difference between an acronym and an abbreviation?

An acronym is pronounced as a single word. Like OCAAT (Oh-cat).

<ACRONYM name="One Course At A Time">OCAAT</ACRONYM>

Abbreviations are groups of characters which are pronounced individually - such as C-S-S-G and N-S-O.

<ABBR name="New Student Orientation">NSO</ABBR>