Contributed by Organizations or Campuses; Articles, Papers, and Reports; and Web Accessibility
New Standards for Website Access
| Title: | New Standards for Website Access (ID: CSD4427) | | Author(s): | Geoff Adams-Spink (BBC) | | Origin: | Contributed by Organizations or Campuses (2006) | | Type: | Articles, Papers, and Reports | | Abstract: | Following a 2004 report from the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), which estimated that 80 percent of Web sites present obstacles to users with disabilities, the British Standards Institution (BSI) has issued new guidelines covering accessibility. A law passed in 1999 requires U.K. organizations to make their Web sites accessible, and the new guidelines provide definitions and advice about how Web site operators can comply with that law. The DRC said that users with disabilities spend an estimated 80 billion British pounds every year, noting that businesses with accessible Web sites are more likely to see some of that spending. Mike Low, director of BSI, echoed those thoughts, saying that as access to all users is expanded, the new ruling will be a "win-win situation" for vendors and consumers. | | View this resource: | |
Guide to the Section 508 Standards for Electronic and Information Technology
| Title: | Guide to the Section 508 Standards for Electronic and Information Technology (ID: CSD4126) | | Origin: | Contributed by Organizations or Campuses (2005) | | Type: | Articles, Papers, and Reports | | Abstract: | The purpose of this technical assistance document is to ensure successful implementation of section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794d). Section 508 requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, Federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. Section 508 also requires that individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal agency, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. | | View this resource: | |
A Comparative Assessment of Web Accessibility and Technical Standards Conformance in Four EU States
| Title: | A Comparative Assessment of Web Accessibility and Technical Standards Conformance in Four EU States (ID: CSD3298) | | Origin: | Contributed by Organizations or Campuses (2004) | | Type: | Articles, Papers, and Reports | | Abstract: | The Internet is playing a progressively more important part in our day–to–day life, through its power of making information universally available. People with disabilities have particular opportunities to benefit. Using the Internet in conjunction with dedicated assistive technologies, tasks that were very difficult if not impossible to achieve for people with various types of disability can now be made fully accessible — at least, in principle. However, in practice, many online resources and services are still poorly accessible to those with disability due to unsatisfactory Web content design.Design of accessible Web content is codified in standards and guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Conformance with W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (WCAG) (and/or similar, derivative guidelines) is now the subject of considerable activity, both legal and technical, in many different jurisdictions.This paper presents results of a comparative survey of Web accessibility guidelines and HTML standards conformance for samples of Web sites drawn from Ireland, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. It also gives some recommendations on how to improve the accessibility level of Web content.A particular conclusion of the study is that the general level of Web accessibility guidelines and HTML standards conformance in all of the samples studied is very poor; and that the pattern of failure is strikingly consistent in the four samples. Although considerable efforts are being made to promote Web accessibility for users with disabilities, this is certainly not yet manifesting itself in improving Web accessibility and HTML validity. | | View this resource: | |
Bridging the Digital Divide in Postsecondary Education: Technology Access for Youth with Disabilities
| Title: | Bridging the Digital Divide in Postsecondary Education: Technology Access for Youth with Disabilities (ID: CSD3315) | | Author(s): | Sheryl E. Burgstahler (University of Washington) | | Origin: | Contributed by Organizations or Campuses (2004) | | Type: | Articles, Papers, and Reports | | Abstract: | This brief was designed for secondary and postsecondary educators and administrators, employers, individuals with disabilities, and parents. It outlines the challenges youth with disabilities face in gaining access to technology, and provides specific recommendations for achieving greater technology access. Computer access has the potential to help people with disabilities complete coursework independently, participate in class discussions, communicate with peers and mentors, access distance learning courses, participate in high tech careers, and lead self-determined lives. | | View this resource: | |
Distance Learning, Universal Design, Universal Access
| Title: | Distance Learning, Universal Design, Universal Access (ID: CSD3316) | | Author(s): | Sheryl E. Burgstahler | | Origin: | Contributed by Organizations or Campuses (2002) | | Type: | Articles, Papers, and Reports | | Abstract: | Distance learning courses offer opportunities for education and career enhancement for those who have access to the technologies they employ. However, many people find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide that separates those with access to new technologies and those without. Even if they have access to these technologies, some people with disabilities find themselves on the wrong side of a second digital divide that is caused by the inaccessible design of coursework. This paper discusses access, legal and policy issues, and it presents an overview of design considerations for assuring that a distance learning course is accessible to potential instructors and students with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. The field of universal design provides a framework for this discussion. The content of this article can be used to help distance learning programs develop policies, guidelines and procedures for making their courses accessible to everyone. | | View this resource: | |
Issues in Accessing Distance Education Technologies for Individuals with Disabilities
| Title: | Issues in Accessing Distance Education Technologies for Individuals with Disabilities (ID: CSD3311) | | Author(s): | Sheryl E. Burgstahler and Norman Coombs | | Origin: | Contributed by Organizations or Campuses (2004) | | Type: | Articles, Papers, and Reports | | Abstract: | Participants in the Technology Strand of the National Summit are asked to focus their thoughts and efforts on three key issues important in accessible distance education. This discussion paper will be used to frame workgroup topics and time allocations. The first issue is the potential to produce, procure, and use natively accessible hardware and software. The second issue moves beyond accessible technology to the promise and barriers of the design, layout and delivery of accessible content in distance education. The final issue for participant consideration is the importance of education and ongoing support of divergent stakeholder groups, including technical staff, instructors, and end-users with disabilities. | | View this resource: | |
WAT makes websites accessible
| Title: | WAT makes websites accessible (ID: CSD3288) | | Origin: | Contributed by Organizations or Campuses (2004) | | Type: | Articles, Papers, and Reports | | Abstract: | A service called Web Adaptation Technology from IBM lets disabled users make standard Web pages more accessible. Users access standard Web sites through a host computer and a downloaded program on their desktop systems that adjusts pages to make them easier to read. Users can set and store personal settings, adjusting colors, background, font size and style, and line spacing. They can also eliminate banner ads and other images and modify keystroke timing. The service is free to not-for-profit organizations to distribute to elderly and disabled computer users. | | View this resource: | |
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