Thread Subject: Subpart A Definitions- Accessibility-Action Needed

Note

This archival content is maintained by WebAIM and NCDAE on behalf of TEITAC and the U.S. Access Board . Additional details on the updates to section 508 and section 255 can be found at the Access Board web site.

From: Deborah Buck
Date: Mon, Apr 30 2007 8:25 AM

Subpart A Workgroup Members- this is the first of several emails you will
receive from the co-chairs. We have made significant progress in our work of
late, but need to come to some resolution. Recognizing that not all of you
have been able to join the conference calls and participate in our
discussions, we have decided to take this approach to determine whether we
have reached consensus.

You will receive several emails- the emails will be broken down between the
2 sections of Subpart A that we have been addressed to date- Definitions and
Exceptions. Within each of these categories you will received an email on
each of the issues or topics. For example, under the Definitions section we
have been reviewing and have made recommendations for definitions on
accessibility, assistive technology, comparable access, etc. You will
receive individual emails on each of the terms we've addressed. You will be
asked to take action on the terms.
* After reviewing the information you will be asked to indicate
whether you agree with the recommendation or disagree.
* If you disagree, specify the changes you think are needed. If you
need to explain your rationale, please do so. If at all possible, please do
not disagree, but then not provide alternative language.
* The group also needs to deal with cost-benefit impact of the
recommendations. Please indicate whether you think the recommended changes
will have an impact on cost of implementation and what the benefits will be
as a result of the proposed change.
* If you want, you can modify the subject in your response to indicate
whether you accept or reject the proposed language. This will enable us to
sort and categorize the responses more quickly and be prepared to see where
our efforts might need to be focused for our meeting on Thursday, May 3,
2007.
* Our plan is to have resolution of these topics and transmit the
information to the Access Board. We will then move to developing
recommendations on Subpart A: Application and hopefully close out our work.

If you need back ground information on some of the discussions- you should
refer to the Subpart A Report


ACCESSIBILITY
* This will be a new term added to Subpart A Definitions:

Recommended Language:
Accessibility: For the purpose of this regulation, general accessibility
means conformance to the technical provisions contained in this standard.
The term, accessibility, may also be used to define a broad set of features
and capabilities which enable people with disabilities access to technology.


ACTION:
Please indicate whether you can support this definition or if you think it
should be changed- please include your suggested changes:

___ I can accept this definition.
___ I can accept this definition with changes. I'm recommending that the
group consider the following changes:


COST BENEFITS OF PROPOSED CHANGE
Do you think this change will result in increased costs?
Do you think this proposed change will result in benefits such as increased
access for people with disabilities, increased implementation of Section
508, improve the likelihood that developers and manufacturers can and will
build products to meet the applicable standards?



Deborah V. Buck, Executive Director
Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP)
PO Box 32
Delmar, NY 12054
518.439.1263 (voice)
518.439.3451 (fax)
518.441.7204 (cell)
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
http://www.ataporg.org

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