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Re: Problem with Terms of Use Acceptance Form: Accessibility Issue or Operator Error?

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From: Birkir R. Gunnarsson
Date: Jul 17, 2014 8:36AM

Chris

WCAG 2.1.1
http://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/keyboard-operation-keyboard-operable.html
(basic level A requirement of WCAG, also keyboard accessibility is
part of Section 508).

This is a clear violation.

You could suggest to your boss that the school creates a set of 10 to
20 questions with multiple choice answers based on the policy.
Make it mandatory for every user to read the policy and answer at
least 80% of the questions correctly before being given the permition
to continue.
This kind of policy is often implimented within large corporations,
and if the school system is so worried about it, this would be a way
to ensure that users really read the TOS.
What the website now presents is just a way to verify that the user
has a mouse (i.e. is probably not disabled) and knows how to scroll.

It is discriminatory and does not really increase the probability that
people read the text they are supposed to read.

But I know one has to be careful in the quagmire of legal
responsibility and politics,, on this list we have the freedom to be
awfully blunt sometimes,.
But what is clear, and definitely tell your boss that, is that this
practice is discriminatory, particularly against people with
disabilities, not just screen readers but people with mobility
impairments as well, possibly people working with a large screen
magnification.
This issue shoul not be overlooked.

Good luck, let us know if we can help you any further.
-Birkir


On 7/17/14, Nusbaum, Christopher < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
> I agree. I'm no lawyer either, but I thought ignorance of the law was not a
> sound defense. If this is true, accepting the AUP without reading it and
> then claiming you didn't know what it said if you violate it is your
> responsibility.
>
> Christopher A. (Chris) Nusbaum, Intern
> Technology Services Department
> Assistive Technology Program
> Carroll County Public Schools
> Phone: (410) 751-3428
> Cell: (443) 547-2409
> Email: <EMAIL REMOVED>
>
>
>