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Seminar/Workshop Materials : U.S.
Accessible Web Policy & LawPowerpoint Slides:
Empowering Persons with Disabilities Through ICT
U.S. Accessible Web Policy & Law
Cynthia D. Waddell, JD
Executive Director, ICDRI
3-7 March 2003 | Manila, Philippines
Overview
- Technology Crossroad
- Accessible Web Complaints
- US Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards (Section 508)
- Section 508 Impact and Federal Accessibility Forum
Technology Crossroad
- Explosive Growth Contributing to User Interface Requirements
- Shift to Web Applications & Enterprise Portals
- IT Evolution to Multi-Modality
- Architecture
- U.S. Disability Rights Alignment
White House Digital Economy Conference
- The Growing Digital Divide in Access for People with Disabilities: Overcoming Barriers
to Participation
by Cynthia D. Waddell
Commissioned by US Dept of Commerce and the National Science Foundation
www.icdri.org/the_digital_divide.htm
Development of Internet Standards
- World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative
- US- Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards (1998 Amendments to
the Rehabilitation Act strengthening Section 508)
Access to Information is a Human Right
- United Nations - Rule 5 of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for
People with Disabilities (1993)
- European Union - 1999 eEurope Initiative; 2000 eEurope Action Plan for e-Accessibility;
2001 Accessibility of Public Web Sites; 2002 Web Accessibility Initiative
Web Complaints
- 1995 Americans with Disabilities Act Complaint against the City of San Jose, CA USA 1995
- Led to first Accessible Web Design Standard for Local Government and Federal recognition
as a Best Practice
Web Complaints
- Australian Disability Discrimination Act Complaint (DDA) against Sydney Organizing
Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) 1999
- Court Found SOCOG in Breach of the DDA and Ordered that the Web Site be made Accessible
Section 508- US
- Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 Strengthened Section 508
- Electronic & Information Technology Accessibility Standards
- Expanded Definition of Accessibility in the Design of EIT Procured by the Federal Govt
Section 508- Scope
- Hardware/Software
- Web pages
- Databases
- Fax Machines/Copiers
- ITMs, Kiosks
- Telephones
- Multimedia
Any IT used in creation, conversion or duplication of data or information
Section 508- Web
- §1194.22 Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications
- §1194.41 Information, Documentation and Support
www.access-board.gov/508.htm
Section 508- Impact
- Provides a Private Right of Action Against Federal Agencies
- Provides a Marketplace Incentive for Designing Accessibly
- Informs Entities Covered under ADA and Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 508-Impact
- Requires an Accessible IT & Web Design Plan - Cannot Handle IT Accessibility Issues
Exclusively on an "Ad Hoc" or "As Needed Basis"
- Ripple Effect is Underway - States and Local Governments are Adopting Section 508
Federal Accessibility Forum
Section 508 Challenges
IT Changes - Civil Rights Do Not:
- Perform Self-Evaluations of Electronic & Information Technology
- Adopt Accessible Web Policies & Implementation Procedures
Section 508 Challenges
IT Changes - Civil Rights Do Not
- Provide Web Developers and Managers Accessibility Training, Design Tools and Resources
- Build Accessibility into Web-Based Applications and System Design
Section 508 Challenges
IT Changes - Civil Rights Do Not
- Accessibility Must be Continually Addressed as Electronic & Information Technology
Advances and Evolves
Accessible Web Resource
ICRDI
- For further information about ICDRI Accessibility Oversight Consulting Services contact:
- Cynthia D. Waddell at Cynthia.Waddell@icdri.org
Executive Director and Law, Policy and Technology Consultant
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