Jargon Buster
M
Merchant account
An account held by an acquiring bank (a bank that processes online payments on your behalf).
Meta tags
Information stored in a web page that’s not displayed in the browser window and which contains keywords describing the site. Some search engines use these meta tags to index that site.
MIME (Multimedia Internet Mail Extensions)
A facility which allows emails to contain several sections, with each containing different media types.
Mirror
Generally speaking, “to mirror” is to maintain an exact copy of something. Probably the most common use of the term on the Internet refers to “mirror sites” which are web sites, or FTP sites that maintain copies of material originated at another location, usually in order to provide more widespread access to the resource. For example, one site might create a library of software, and 5 other sites might maintain mirrors of that library.
Mobile communications
Mobile communications let you operate without the need for a fixed phone line, giving your business greater operational flexibility, faster customer responsiveness and savings in staff time. Connecting your phone to a laptop computer lets you send, receive and access business information wherever you are, creating a ‘virtual office’.
Modem (Modulator/Demodulator)
A device that enables computer signals to travel over phone lines. Modems come in different speeds. If you intend to use the Internet, you should usually go for a fast 56 Kbps V90 standard modem. Also check out special modems and access to faster ISDN or broadband connections. These are now widely available in many urban areas of Scotland.
Multimedia
Programs that use or offer a range of media, e.g. data, voice and video.
Accessibility
Legislation, standards and guidelines
WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), part of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), is an international consortium devoted to promoting accessibility on the web. Their Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are generally accepted as the definitive guidelines on web accessibility and accessible design techniques, and many other apparent sets of standards and guidelines actually refer back to the WAI guidelines.
UK legislation and standards
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA)
Full text of this act of parliament.
Special Education Needs and Disability Act 2001
Full text of this act of parliament. This act amended Part IV of the DDA as applied to educational organisations and establishments.
The Law
What the law says about eliminating disability discrimination, on the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) website. Includes links to information about the DDA and to the Codes of Practice for the DDA.
Codes of Practice for the DDA and SENDA
Codes of practice explaining legal rights and requirements under the DDA, produced by the UK government and the DRC.
Guidelines for UK government and local authority websites
Published by the e-Government Unit in the Cabinet Office.
DRC report into web accessibility
Report from the DRC's formal investigation into access and inclusion for disabled people to the web, April 2004.
Outside the UK
Policies relating to web accessibility (WAI list)
Legislation and policies relating to web accessibility around the world - Australia, Canada, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, UK, USA.
Laws and standards (WebAIM list)
Web accessibility laws and standards in various countries around the world - USA, Canada, European Union, UK, Japan, Hong Kong, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Australia, New Zealand.
Irish National Disability Authority IT accessibility guidelines
Includes guidelines for web and software.
Learning disabilities
Mencap
Guide to making information accessible to people with a learning disability.
Flash
Macromedia Accessibility
Macromedia's central resource contains tutorials, product specifications, listings and showcases of accessible Flash.
Macromedia Accessibility weblog
Weblog run by Bob Reagan of Macromedia.
PDF
Adobe Accessibility
Guidelines, tools and advice on making PDF documents accessible.
