Subject: Re: Public School Web Site Accessibility
From: John M. Denooyer (john@wccd.org)
Date: Thu Feb 07 2002 - 09:25:20 PST
In case you were wondering what web site we're discussing, this is the URL:
Instead of going on ad nauseam about the particulars of Section 504, may I suggest that adding alternate text to the pictures and drawing as well as using Arial font for the text would be a good start to making the site Bobby accessible.
You might also consider dropping the FLASH thing going on at the opening.
I'm anti-FLASH!
Respectfully Yours,
John M. Denooyer
Information Specialist
Washington Coalition of Citizens with disAbilities
(206) 633-6632
(206) 632-3456 (TTY)
1-877-539-0212
www.wccd.org
>
> From: "Debbie Cook" <debcook@u.washington.edu>
> Date: 2002/02/07 Thu AM 11:41:40 EST
> To: "Statewide forum on assistive-technology issues" <wash-at@u.washington.edu>
> Subject: Re: Public School Web Site Accessibility
>
> Jeff:
> I can give you a much more detailed response if it's helpful but the short
> answer is:
> Public schools are subject to the requirements of section 504 of the
> rehabilitation act of 1973 as amended. This statute requires them to make
> programs and services accessible to students and employees with
> disabilities. Typically schools interpret Section 504 only from the
> perspective of providing individualized reasonable accommodations. But
> practically speaking, you would not make your online resources accessible
> only as an individual was about to click on a page. In fact this very
> concept is addressed in cases from the office of civil Rights.
>
> There are a number of documents regarding web accessibility issues from the
> Office of Civil Rights and department of justice. All of the complaints
> addressed in these documents were related to post-secondary schools but I
> see no reason that the same arguments would not apply in K-12 since both
> have the same legal requirements under section 504.
>
> Section 504 and ADA do not specifically set standards for online resources.
> We generally recommend adopting the WAI guidlines from the W3C for this
> purpose since they are recognized by industry, government and consumers.
> Section 504 and ADA do, however, talk about effective communication which
> deals with concepts like timliness and appropriateness. So, if your online
> resources are available 24-7 for example, there is probably not an effective
> way of delivering that content other than through this resource. In other
> words, the school would have to show that the means they had chosen was
> equally effective in communicating with individuals with disabilities.
>
> Since your web site is publicly accessible it may also be covered (in the
> same way) under Title III of the ADA.
>
> But as you know, there are other compelling reasons to make your online
> resources accessible. I read the new digital divide report this week and was
> quite surprised to learn that 80% of the people surveyed are still using
> dialup. This means that many of them will load your pages with graphics,
> Java or other features turned off. And if your non-text elements such as
> graphical links, image maps and pictures have text labels they will be
> searchable which makes your site better for everyone. In other words, most
> of the things you might do to make your sites more accessible will also have
> general public benefit.
>
> And as for saving the world... Well I hardly think so. Disability is
> uniquely the only recognized minority group that we can join at any time.
> And it's definitely more cost effective to make our resources accessible
> than to wait for a law suit or civil rights complaint.
>
> The WA Assistive technology alliance can provide training regarding the
> policy, economic, social and practical reasons for making your online
> resources more accessible. we'd be glad to offer this training for your
> technology committee or others. We demonstrate what happens to people with
> disabilities when they visit sites using various assistive technology and
> how easy it really is to correct the situation. generally people are very
> motivated following the training and do want to make those changes they can.
> The greatest barrier is the assumption that sites cannot be both interesting
> and accessible at the same time. You of course know they can be.
>
> Deb
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2a24 : Thu Feb 07 2002 - 09:54:04 PST