Accessible Web Site Design
-- Why and How
Disability -- "Any individual
who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one
or
more of the major life activities of such individual; any individual
who has
a record of such an impairment; and any individual who is regarded as
having such an impairment." (ADA, 1990).
Background
Within the United States about one of every five persons reports having
a disability. Within postsecondary settings, one out of every 20 first-year
students reports having a disability (U.S.
Department of Education, 1999). Of the students who self-identified,
the following percentages were reported:
- 29% Learning Disability;
- 23% Orthopedic Impairment;
- 21% Other Health-Related Disability
- 16% Non-correctable Vision Impairment;
- 16% Hearing Impaired or Deaf;
- 3% Speech Impairment;
Thus, web sites that don't follow accessibility guidelines are web sites
that exclude large sections of the student population. In addition, web
sites that follow accessibility guidelines are often easier to navigate,
better organized, and consistent across the site -- a benefit to all users
regardless of disability.
For more information about disability and education, see the DisabilityInfo.gov
web site.
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Legal Requirements
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 – This law was the
first anti-discrimination law for persons with disabilities. The law prohibited
discrimination in any program or activity that received federal funds
that exceeded $2,500. It also required affirmative-action plans for hiring
and promoting qualified persons with disabilities.
Section 504 - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program
and activity that is offered by an entity or institution that receives
financial assistance from the federal government. Within this Section,
Subpart E specifically deals with the regulations required of postsecondary
institutions. In short, this subpart requires that institutions make appropriate
adjustments and provide reasonable accommodations that allow students
with disabilities full participation in activities and programs available
to students without disabilities.
Reasonable Accommodation for Students -- A reasonable
accommodation is a change in the way things are customarily done in the
work, campus, or academic environment that permits a qualified person
with a disability to enjoy equal educational opportunities.
Reasonable Accommodations include:
- Accessible facilities - buildings, sidewalks, steps;
- Adjustment or modifications of examinations, training materials or
policies via extended time, use of a computer, use of a note-taker.
- Providing qualified readers or interpreters.
- Restructuring jobs or modifying work schedules.
- Moving a classroom to an accessible part of a building.
Section 508: Accessible Electronic Information -- OSU
requires web developers to meet or exceed the OSU
Web Accessibility Policies and Standards, which are based on Section
508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 508 requires that certain guidelines
or priorities are met to insure that those with visual, auditory, physical,
mental, or learning disabilities are able to access electronic information.
For more information on these guidelines and priorities, see Part II.
of this guide: How to Create an Accessible Web
Site
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What is Assistive Technology and
How Does It Work with My Web Site?
According to the United States Assistive Technology Act of 1998, assistive
technology (also called adaptive technology) refers to any "product,
device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized,
that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities
of individuals with disabilities." Common computer-related assistive
technology products include screen magnifiers, large-key keyboards, alternative
input devices such as touch screen displays, over-sized trackballs and
joysticks, speech recognition programs, and text readers. Learning about
these technologies will provide valuable insight in how those with disabilities
use technology and how a web site or online course may be inaccessible
to those with various disabilities.
Computing at UW-Madison offers a short, well done video on the web that
gives a demonstration of a screen reader. For more informatin and
to watch the video Introduction
to the Screen Reader with Neal Ewer visit the Computer
at UW-Madison accessibility site. (This is also a useful video to
show during workshops.)
For a better understanding of problems with accessibility and some possible
design solutions, review the W3C's guide to How
People with Disabilities Use the Web, which includes real-life scenarios
of users with disabilities. We suggest you read the page through without
following the links. At a later date come back to this page and
explore the links.
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Go to: Part II.
or Part III.
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