LIFT Text Transcoder

In the winter of 2005, the University purchased UsableNet's LIFT Text Transcoder, a product that generates text-only versions of Web pages automatically. This server-based tool is available to all Web sites in any authorized University domain space. These domains include (but are not limited to):

www.rochester.edu
www.esm.rochester.edu
www.urmc.rochester.edu
www.simon.rochester.edu
www.library.rochester.edu
www.stronghealth.com
www.gchas.org (Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong
www.vsnet.com (Visiting Nurse Service)

Through LIFT Text Transcoder, users with visual impairments and other disabilities can access the same Web content as other users. The text-only pages are created "on the fly": there is no separate text-only site to maintain, content on the text-only site stays up-to-date and in sync with the graphic version of the site, and there is no additional site maintanance work for department webmasters. Text-only sites are also helpful to the growing pool of users with Web-enabled cell phones, PDAs and other devices.

Adding LIFT Transcoder to your site

If your site is in the University template: A link to LIFT Text Transcoder is already in place as the first link in the top menu bar (see below); there is nothing else you need to do.

a sample of the template menu bar with the TEXT button circled

If your site is NOT in the University template: Create a "Text Only" link on your Web pages.

UsableNet recommends that you add a "Text Only" link in a visual form in the very first part of your HTML page.
If it is not desired to have a text only link in the visual layout of the page, it is strongly recommended that you place a hidden link at the beginning of the HTML, and then add a visual link somewhere else on the page.
Copy-and-paste the following code onto your Web page to create your "Text Only" link:

<a href="http://text.rochester.edu/tt/referrer" title="text-only page produced automatically by LIFT Text Transcoder">Text only</a>

Questions about LIFT Text Transcoder can be directed to the University Web Coordinator.

Content last modified: Tuesday, 17-Oct-2006 14:41:18 EDT
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