Thread Subject: Re: Subpart A Definitions-Comparable Access-Action Needed-REVISED

From: Deborah Buck
Date: Mon, Apr 30 2007 8:45 AM

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COMPARABLE ACCESS
* This will be a new term added to Subpart A Definitions Section:


RECOMMENDED LANGUAGE:
Comparable Access: Three features are critical in determining if
comparable access to and use of information and data is provided.
1) Comparable access to information must be timely. In the case of
information technology accessibility that would include the speed with which
a person with a disability can access the information as compared to an
individual without a disability.
2) Comparable access must provide accurate information especially
when the information has been translated or converted into another form or
media.
3) Comparable access must provide information and data in a manner
and medium appropriate to the significance of the message. In the case of
information technology, more critical interaction elements or data content
might require a higher level of or different type of access.


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?


BACKGROUND/EXPLANATION OF THESE EMAILS
Subpart A Workgroup Members- In the next few days you will receive
several emails from the Subpart A 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


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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