Thread Subject: Re: Definition of accessibility

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From: Barrett, Don
Date: Fri, Nov 10 2006 6:50 PM

I couldn't agree more Gregg.


_____

From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Gregg
Vanderheiden
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2006 11:44 AM
To: 'TEITAC Subpart A Subcommittee'
Subject: Re: [teitac-subparta] Definition of accessibility



I would suggest we not use the word 'accessible' and instead
just use 'conformant" Products are considered conformant if they
etc.



We already will have concerns from those advocating for
language, learning and cognitive disability provisions. Much that
could be done in this area are not things that could be in conformance
requirements since it is not possible to confirm that they have or have
not been met. To say that our guidelines define accessibility when
there is so much that is not included will only exacerbate the problem.





Gregg
-- ------------------------------
Gregg C Vanderheiden Ph.D.






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From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Deborah
Buck
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 3:22 PM
To: 'TEITAC Subpart A Subcommittee'
Subject: Re: [teitac-subparta] Definition of
accessibility

I would be nervous about including any reference to
environment. I think that adding environment could potentially limit the
applicability of the standards. Just as we want the technical standards
to support ongoing development and emerging technology we should ensure
that the provisions for implementation aren't limited by including
environment. The law sets the parameters for the environment in which
the products are used and identifies those conditions where exemptions
are appropriate. Some employees telework- but I don't think its
appropriate to add home environment or remote telework sites- as the law
stands if IT is being purchased it needs to conform.



-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Hoffman,
Allen
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 4:08 PM
To: TEITAC Subpart A Subcommittee
Subject: Re: [teitac-subparta] Definition of
accessibility



OK:



I wrote:

Items shall be considered accessible when the provisions
from sub-part C of this regulation are met, for the general office
environment, and (insert additional
environments if needed). We might possibly include some
reference to public or home environment.

Greg wrote:

So whatever definition we come up with - conformance to
our guidelines should not be defined as accessible. There is so much
to do beyond what is required
in our guidelines.



I agree that "pure" accessible is not fully met by
meeting technical standards, but meeting adequately sufficient
functional performance criteria, which may include conditional
environmental or policy factors, really should mean accessible for the
set of people addressed in those functional performance criteria. On
the other hand we need to get usable language for the purposes of this
effort, not a definition for all situations and potentials.









Allen Hoffman -- 202-447-0303






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From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Gregg
Vanderheiden
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 3:33 PM
To: 'TEITAC Subpart A Subcommittee'
Subject: Re: [teitac-subparta] Definition of
accessibility

Hmmm



I guess the point I was trying to make is that items
that meet our provisions are not accessible.



These products meet some minimum accessibility standard
but are not accessible to many people.



So whatever definition we come up with - conformance to
our guidelines should not be defined as accessible. There is so much
to do beyond what is required in our guidelines.


Gregg
-- ------------------------------
Gregg C Vanderheiden Ph.D.






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From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Hoffman,
Allen
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 2:01 PM
To: TEITAC Subpart A Subcommittee
Subject: Re: [teitac-subparta] Definition of
accessibility

So, how about:



Items shall be considered accessible when the
provisions from sub-part C of this regulation are met, for the general
office environment, and (insert additional environments if needed). We
might possibly include some reference to public or home environment.







Allen Hoffman -- 202-447-0303






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From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Gregg
Vanderheiden
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 2:57 PM
To: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
Subject: [teitac-subparta] Definition of
accessibility

The question has come up as to whether we should
try to define accessibility.



This comes up in many committees I have worked
on.



The conclusion the other groups came up with
was.



One really can't make products that are
accessible.

One can make things accessible to a person in a
situation.

One can't make things accessible to a person in
all situations.

One can't make things accessible to all people.






So our guidelines are "minimum accessibility
guidelines"

They include some things that make products more
accessible but not accessible.



So we shouldn't try to define products as being
accessible.



--



The second reason to not define it is that at
some point in the discussion you end up saying "usable". This
immediately triggers a discussion of accessibility vs usability and
things go south pretty fast from there.



--



Finally, unless we use the word "accessible" in
one of the provisions in some normative way - it doesn't need to be
defined.







Just some thoughts.



Gregg

------------------------

Gregg C Vanderheiden Ph.D.
Professor - Depts of Ind. Engr. & BioMed Engr.
Director - Trace R & D Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
<http://trace.wisc.edu/ <http://trace.wisc.edu/>
> FAX 608/262-8848

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