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IT Accessibility Review
Volume 1, Number 5
Breaking News
National Council on Disability Calls for Immediate Changes in Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities
WASHINGTON-- The National Council on Disability (NCD) today released a report (ADD URL) recommending immediate federal changes in emergency planning for people with disabilities. According to NCD chairperson Lex Frieden, "Saving Lives: Including People with Disabilities in Emergency Planning, provides an overview of steps the Federal Government should take to build a solid and resilient infrastructure that will enable the government to include the diverse populations of people with disabilities in emergency preparedness, disaster relief, and homeland security programs. This infrastructure would incorporate access to technology, physical plants, programs, and communications. It also would include procurement and emergency programs and services." To read the full text of this article, click the following link:
http://www.tecaccess.net/content/inthenews/ncodc.shtml (REMOVED IN NEW SITE)
ITTATC Welcomes New PI, Dr. Dennis Folds
ITTATC welcomes Dr. Dennis Folds to the position of Principal Investigator/Project Director for the ITTATC project. Dr. Folds is a long-time member of the ITTATC project, serving as leader of the Project Evaluation Team. He concurrently serves as Principal Research Scientist and Head Director, Human Factors Branch, Electronic Systems Laboratory at the Georgia Tech Research Institute. He holds a doctorate in Engineering Psychology from Georgia Institute of Technology and has over twenty-four years experience in human factors engineering and human performance. ITTATC welcomes Dr. Folds, and we look forward to his stewardship of the project.
One Site Fits All
Companies Find that Web sites that comply with Accessibility Guidelines mean Equate to More Customers
MARCH 28, 2005 (COMPUTERWORLD)-- Companies, governments, and educational institutions are continually moving more of their activities online as a way to improve service and productivity while cutting costs. But However, that approach works only if customers and employees can access the online data and services. Barriers to access can slash productivity and slam the door on potential customers.
"There is a large group of people who we would like to have as our customers (who have disabilities), and we would like to be able to interact with them electronically through our web site," says Thomas S. Tullis, Senior Vice President of Human Interface Design at Fidelity Investments in Boston.
And moreover, the ramifications of Web inaccessibility go beyond lost revenues. JoAngela Morin, team leader at Verizon Communications Inc.´s Center for Customers with Disabilities in Marlboro, Mass., says that when some members of a group are unable to access the same information or fully participate in an activity, it affects everyone involved. "A team that is driven to achieve results will be unable to meet its objectives if some members lack the same access to information that their counterparts do," she says.
This doesn´t does not apply to only those who are traditionally considered disabled. With a significant portion of the U.S. population creeping toward Social Security age, a growing number of your employees and customers are likely to have gradually declining vision, hearing, and manual dexterity. And In addition, many of those aging customers tend to be at a point in their lives when they can afford to make substantial purchases.
"A significant market is eliminated if a business has inaccessible Web presence," says Harvey Bingham, who has worked in the IT field since the 1950´s and now consults on accessibility issues. "Many Web-savvy elders who have significant spending power are most comfortable shopping on the Web from home."
By incorporating accessibility standards into internal and external Web sites, companies can make it easier for those with and without disabilities to access company information and services.
To read the full text of this article (continued) [IS SOMETHING MISSING HERE?]
Ariane 5 Technology Turns the Lights On
Soon we may be able to fill the bath, turn the lights on, and play our favorite CD without moving from our chair or pressing a button. Technology, developed by ESA for European spacecraft, is now being used to create small sensors that can make any flat surface - walls, windows, or tables - interactive.
To read the full text of this article, follow this link:
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM60JYEM4E_index_0.html
Web Standards vs. Search Friendly Sites: Can You Have Both?
February 10, 2005
Web designers don´t do not understand search optimization, and search marketers are clueless about usability and style-at least according to conventional wisdom. The good news is those attitudes are slowly starting to change.
A special report from Search Engine Strategies conference, December 13-16, 2004, Chicago, IL.
For as long as I have been involved in online marketing and specifically search marketing, there has been a rivalry between web designers and optimizers. What struck me as a sign of hope was the composition of the "Web Standards, Good Design and SEO: You Can Have It All" panel. The collective attitude of the panel is that that we can "all get along" to design web sites that are visually appealing, informative to the visitor, and at the same time, be search friendly.
To read the full text of this article, follow this link:
http://searchenginewatch.com/searchday/article.php/3482116
Section 508 Summer Training Courses
We would like to announce that we are now registering students for 11 distinct Section 508 training classes that will be held on campus.The first of these three-hour certificate courses will be on Thursday, June 9th. Additional classes will be offered through July 2005.We recommend the trainingfor all employees and contractors associated with Section 508.In the past, the courses have proven to be especially effective when everyone associated with a process takes the courses.For example, everyone who either develops code or test software products should attend since they will then all be on "the same sheet of music" throughout the process.
This semester´s courses will include classes on telecommunications, Section 508 overview,and two levels of sessions on the web, software, and e-learning, and the law.In the courses with two levels, the 100 level classes will deal with interpreting the standards and learning how to create compliant products.The 100 level courses (including the ones offered last year) are a prerequisite to attend the appropriate 200 level courses.The 200 level classes are more hands-on and deal with everyday common problems such as creating compliant PDF files and e-learning modules.I would like to suggest that people interested in the 200 level courses register as soon as possible since seating is limited.
There are two different courses for the Section 508 overview.One class is designed for those who are veterans of the current USPTO processes and would like to learn the latest changes.The course is called the USPTO Section 508 Program overview and it also includes a review on the credit card and asset management processes.The second course is designed for people who are new to Section 508 and the USPTO processes and procedures.This course is called Creating a Viable Section 508 Program.
Participants will receive a certificate of completion and a CD with additional information that should prove valuable back in the office environment.
For more information on the courses and registration, please visit:
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/cio/s508/courses.htm
Access Star
The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) is committed to promoting a market-driven, global response to addressing the technology needs of people with disabilities and age-related limitations. To help advance this goal, we are developing a new business subsidiary, ACCESS STAR, an Internet-based portal that will serve as a virtual platform for advancing harmonized standards, policies and best practices.
ACCESS STAR will be international in scope, collecting and providing critical information on domestic and international trends, developments and market requirements.
As a distinct business unit of ITI, ACCESS STAR will be funded via sponsorships by leading businesses and organizations that share our commitment on accessibility and seek to differentiate themselves in the global IT marketplace. Current supporters include HP, Microsoft and the law firm of Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville P.C.
Development of the beta phase of ACCESS STAR has been completed. The portal is now undergoing further content development and testing. It will be officially launched later this month (June 2005). For more information, please contact Ken Salaets at ksalaets@itic.org.
