Thread Subject: Clarifying "without known accessibility needs" - Action Item from 2-26-08 Plenary

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From: Rex Lint
Date: Wed, Feb 27 2008 11:40 AM

Whitney,

RE your request to clarify my comments concering " without known
accessibility needs" in 2-D

2-D - Accessible Content (Consensed)
This provision is not relevant to the Section 255
guidelines, because it creates obligations for federal agencies
Agencies must ensure that electronic content used for
official agency communications complies with the applicable provisions in
the Section 508 standard (in particular the provisions in Subpart C, Section
3), regardless of the medium of transmission or distribution. An exception
to this provision may be made when content is distributed only to a small
group of recipients without known accessibility needs, or when content is
being stored for archival purposes only.
Note 1: Official agency communications include, but are not
limited to, agency websites, policies or procedures for employees that are
distributed via internal agency e-mail, electronic newsletters, tutorials
that are distributed on CDs and other electronic media.
Note 2: Agencies must make archival content available in an
accessible format upon request.

“An exception to this provision may be made when content is distributed only
to a small group of recipients without known accessibility needs…”
The phrase “without known accessibility needs” can be interpreted multiple
ways:
* You can distribute the content to a group of recipients if you do
not know their accessiblity needs.
* You can distribute to a group that you know does not have
accessiblity needs.
I’d suggest changing it to:
“An exception to this provision may be made when content is distributed only
to a small group of recipients known to be without accessibility needs…” or
possibly,

“An exception to this provision may be made when content is distributed only
to a small group of recipients and accomodates their accessibility needs…”
which shifts the meaning a little.


-Rex-

Rex Lint, Consultant
26 Brek Drive
Merrimack, NH 03054
PH: 603-860-7651



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