Achieving web accessibility

ABSTRACT

The World Wide Web has long outgrown its novelty to become a necessity in academics. Internet access has enabled numerous activities-registration, research, and distance learning, to name a few-to reach more people than ever. Federal laws require state schools to provide accessible web sites for persons with disabilities-yet many fail to, perhaps due to webmasters' ignorance and misconceptions that enabling access is expensive and time-consuming. Public schools violate this obligation when they only respond on an ad-hoc basis to requests for accommodation; therefore, it is vital for webmasters to learn how to provide equal access. Whether a site is in its initial planning or is fully developed, there are common concerns to address: specifically, why do sites need to be accessible and to what degree? What is the process for creating or modifying pages to ensure accessibility? Can a web site use advanced technologies and still be accessible? How can accessibility be verified? What resources are available to assist in this process? Although comprehensive understanding of accessibility can be an undertaking, a significant amount of knowledge can be obtained through a broad introduction.

REFERENCES

• 1: Bonner, P. And Web Sites For All. PC Magazine, May 7 2002, IP01-IP03.
• 2: The GNOME Accessibility Project: Assistive Technologies for Computers. August 22, 2001. http://developer.gnome.org/projects/gap/at-types.html
• 3: Patrick, Deval. Correspondence from Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick to Senator Tom Harkin. September 9, 1996. http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/foia/cltr204.txt
• 4: Software and Information Industry Association Trends Report 2001: Trends Shaping the Digital Economy. October 1, 2001. http://www.trendsreport.net/
• 5: Thatcher, J. Testing For Section 508 Web Accessibility. June 13, 2001. http://www.jimthatcher.com/testing.htm
• 6: Jim Thatcher , Cynthia Waddell, Constructing Accessible Websites, APress L. P., 2003
• 7: Waldrop, J. (ed.) Population Profile of the United States. U.S. Census Buteau. 2000. http://www.census.gov/population/pop-profile/2000/chap19.pdf
• 8: World Health Organization: Future Trends and Challenges in Rehabilitation. June 18, 2002. http://www.who.int/ncd/disability/trends.htm

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.4 COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY
      K.4.2 Social Issues
          Subjects: Assistive technologies for persons with disabilities

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.4 COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY
      K.4.2 Social Issues
          Subjects: Handicapped persons/special needs**

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Legal Aspects, Standardization

Keywords:
ADA, accessibility, disabilities, web design, web development