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Re: Database of accessible products

for

From: John E Brandt
Date: Feb 20, 2013 2:33PM

www.Abledata.com still exists and is maintained via a NIDRR/DOE grant. But
it is simply a list of assistive technologies (AT). It does have the
capacity for regular users to "rate" items, but there are no specific
criterion.

Apart from the VPAT, a tool used to document a product's conformance with
the accessibility standards under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, I
know of no rating system. There have been attempts at organizing this
information - see
http://www.evengrounds.com/resources/vpat-directory#.USVAZFeR6M0 - but
nothing by the feds that I am aware of. We all know VPAT stands for -
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template - emphasis on Voluntary.

There have been several attempts over the year to develop something of a
rating system for websites, but nothing has really stuck and such a system
without some form of government or grant funding would not likely last very
long as it would be expensive to maintain. Examples
http://www.tinhat.com/accessibility/reviews.html
http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?218076-List-of-Best-Accessibl
e-Websites

~j

John E. Brandt
www.jebswebs.com
<EMAIL REMOVED>
207-622-7937
Augusta, Maine, USA

-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Robert Jaquiss
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 3:18 PM
To: 'WebAIM Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Database of accessible products

Hello:

There used to be a database called Abledata. No idea if it still exists
r how well it has been maintained.

Regards,

Robert


messages to <EMAIL REMOVED>

Wondering if there's a database of products rated on their accessibility out
there? A federal database? A hi-ed database?

Just when organizations go through a purchase/bid process that includes
rating products on accessibility, it would be grand if their findings we're
posted somewhere for others to use. Sort of the Yelp of accessibility
reviews. Assume the contributors were vetted (not just the general public)
this could be a valuable resource as well a s another way to help move
vendors toward accessibility .
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