fallback
An annoying start to the week turns into a Web Odyssey!
Sometimes I end up accessibility testing in the most unlikely of circumstances!
Monday mornings can be quite the challenge, and six months ago, mine started with a hiccup that threw a spanner in the works. As I prepared for the day, my trusty 22-year-old Volvo decided it wasn't quite ready for action. A familiar issue with the immobiliser cropped up, but usually, a quick fix involving disconnecting the battery for a few minutes did the trick. Not this time.
Five minutes passed, then ten, and my car remained unresponsive. With a one-hour drive home ahead of me, I knew I needed a solution fast. The logical next step – seek assistance from the Automobile Association (AA).
With a quick visit to the AA's website, I initiated a request for help. While waiting for the cavalry to arrive, I decided to give the battery trick another shot. This time, a 15-minute wait did the trick, and my beloved Volvo sprang back to life. Hooray! Crisis averted, or so I thought.
The AA, in their usual fashion, notified me that their arrival was scheduled for another hour. Realising I no longer required their assistance, I attempted to cancel the request, thinking it would be a straightforward process.
Here's where the plot thickens.
Glancing at the website, the cancellation link was nowhere in sight. Frustration kicked in until, as if by magic, I pulled the screen up and, lo and behold, the elusive cancel link appeared. A peculiar dance with my phone screen, you might say.
The challenge lay in a mischievous overlay at the bottom of the mobile website. A large yellow button, beckoning to "Check for Updates," hogged the lower section, obstructing the cancel link. Lift a finger, and the cancel link vanished. I tried every trick in the book – tapping while keeping the screen up, attempting it in landscape mode, switching between browsers – to no avail. All thanks to this "helpful" overlay.
Undeterred, I thought, "I'll just give them a ring." Little did I know, locating the AA's phone number on their website resembled a game of hide-and-seek. A futile search ensued.
In the end, resorting to Google proved the only way to unearth their contact number. A call to the AA, a bit of explanation, and finally, success – the visit was cancelled.
All this hassle, all due to a silly overlay! A reminder that even the simplest tasks can turn into an unexpected web adventure.
Since then, my old Volvo finally gave up the ghost and I now drive a reliable Hyundai instead!
Would you like to find out more about website accessibility?
Discuss having an web audit of your website
Have a 1-hour consultation on any aspect of website accessibility
Would you like to speak with people
who understand inclusive web design?
Whether you are planning a new website, reviewing an existing platform or trying to understand your accessibility obligations, we would love to help.
Please get in touch to discuss your project, accessibility goals or digital challenges.