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Re: Accessibility + applications with web interfaces

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From: John E. Brandt
Date: Nov 9, 2006 3:20PM

I'll take a crack at this one...probably more than you bargained for.

Currently Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act covers both web
accessibility and accessible IT and communications. But as far as I know, it
is only being "enforced" at the federal level. Vendors who wish to do
business with the US Government need to make sure their equipment and
services meeting Section 508 requirements. All federal websites must meet
Section 508 web accessibility standards (Quick aside: whether they do or not
is another question!)

Many states, Maine included, have created their own accessibility policies,
in many cases mirroring the federal rules. Indeed, the state purchasing
system has added the requirement that all new purchases of technology and
services be accessible.

The implications as far as state-run universities, or public K-12 schools is
not clear. In Maine the state university system has established its own
policy which again mirrors the federal and state rules. The Maine state
university system has a similar purchasing requirement.

Right now we are encouraging K-12 schools to think about this. This is that
old "local control" issue.

So you are going to have to find out what Illinois has for rules and
specifically what rules apply for state universities.

That said, the ADA and for that matter Section 508, will likely eventually
apply to everyone. The case of Target.com lawsuit for its lack of
accessibility is being watched carefully for this reason. Should a ruling
come down that the company is at fault, it will likely mean that ALL public
websites need to be accessible (as is now the case in the United Kingdom).

BTW, there have been several Civil Rights cases brought up regarding
universities and accessibility, but the rulings have been rather neutral.
The cases involved the use of on-line courses and student access.

What I have been telling clients and workshop attendees in my trainings is
that they should try to get ahead of the curve and make sure all of their
technology is accessible to everyone. When acquiring new equipment it is
much easier to require this of the vendor at the front end than to retrofit
after the fact.

So the simple answer to your question....you probably need to make sure ALL
of your technology is accessible to everyone. Yes e-mail and calendaring
included. And if you cannot make it accessible, there has to be a reasonable
alternative.

~j


John E. Brandt
Augusta, Maine USA
www.jebswebs.com