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Accessibility Resources area lists information for building sites that are accessible to all users.

Links to information on Web accessibility, and resources for building sites that are accessible to all users regardless of disability.

Why is Web Accessibility Imoprtant?Why is Web Accessibility Important?

How People with Disabilities Use the Web
http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/PWD-Use-Web

  • Scenarios of people with disabilities using the Web.
  • Different disabilities that can affect web accessibility.
  • Assistive technologies and adaptive strategies.

Introduction to Web Accessibility
http://www.webaim.org/intro/

  • Explanation of barriers faced by Web users with various disabilities
  • Includes facts and figures on Web use by people with disabilities.

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The Law: Section 508 of the Rehabilitation ActThe Law: Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Federal Web Accessibility Standards (summary)
http://usability.gov/accessibility/508.html

  • Requires that federal agencies' electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities.
  • Technical standards for compliance were published on December 21, 2000 and took effect June 21, 2001.
  • Applies to all federal and federally funded Web sites.
  • Full text of Section 508 standards published in Federal Register.
    http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/508standards.htm

Federal IT Accessibility Initiative: Section508.gov
http://section508.gov/

  • Official home page of Section 508.
  • Comprehensive resource on laws and regulations, training, and current news.
  • "Buy Accessible" - A new service for federal procurement staff.
  • "Section 508 Universe" - Training for webmasters.

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W3C Standards and GuidelinesW3C Standards and Guidelines

World Wide Web Consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative (W3C WAI)
http://www.w3.org/WAI

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Evaluating Your Site and making it AcessibleEvaluating Your Site and Making it Accessible

Tips and TechniquesTips and Techniques

508 Checklist
http://webaim.org/standards/508/checklist

  • Good checklist for 508 compliance, provided by the nonprofit WebAIM (Web Accessibility In Mind).

Considering the Color Blind: Web Techniques
http://www.webtechniques.com/archives/2000/08/newman/

  • A graphic designer explains what color blindness really is, how it affects Web users in real-life situations, and what Web designers can do to make their sites more accessible to color-blind people.

Accessibility Features of Cascading Style Sheets
http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS-access

  • Detailed technical discussion of features in W3C's Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) that support and enhance accessibility of Web content when CSS is used to control the "presentation" (visual or auditory display) of HTML documents.
  • Our mission is to serve as a central resource for web authors for learning about web accessibility." Provided by the HTML Writers Guild.

Screen Reader Simulation
http://www.webaim.org/simulations/screenreader

  • This simulation will help you to understand what it is like for a person with visual impairments to access the Internet using a software program called a "screen reader." The site will prompt you to download the Shockwave plug-in if you do not already have it on your computer.

Considering the Color Blind: Web Techniques

  • A graphic designer explains what color blindness really is, how it affects Web users in real-life situations, and what Web designers can do to make their sites more accessible to color-blind people.

Guidelines for Authoring
http://www.webtechniques.com/archives/2000/08/newman/

  • A couple of useful reminders for Web authors, from the World Wide Web Consortium.

BBEdit
http://www.bbedit.com/products/bbedit.html

  • Robust, flexible HTML editor for Macintosh. The longtime favorite of Mac Web developers. Has numerous HTML tools, a built-in syntax checker, and support for the Tidy plugin (which cleans up your HTML and checks for some accessibility issues). Integrates well with Dreamweaver (see below).

Web Design Group (WDG) Cascading Style Sheet Guide
http://www.htmlhelp.com/reference/css/

  • An easy-to-understand guide that will answer many of your questions about what CSS is and how it works. It was written in 1997, so it doesn't include CSS2 or information about the current generation of browsers. Nevertheless, the content is not obsolete.

CSS Tutorial
http://www.w3schools.com/css/

  • If you use CSS, you'll want to bookmark this page. Much more than a tutorial, it contains an extensive handbook, examples, and various other style sheet resources in an easy-to-use format. It's also a great introduction for beginners!

Adding a Touch of Style
http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/Guide/Style

  • A short guide, especially handy as an introduction to the basic things you can do with Style Sheets.

CSS Pointers Group
http://css.nu/

  • CSS resources provided by the members of the comp.infosystems.www.authoring.stylesheets newsgroup. Includes a useful section on browser bugs and workarounds.

CSS Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.hwg.org/resources/faqs/cssFAQ.html

  • Your guide to CSS terminology, with examples. From the HTML Writers Guild.

Evaluation and Repair ToolsEvaluation and Repair Tools

Note: There are a number of tools that can assist with diagnosing and repairing accessibility problems, but they cannot do the job on their own. It takes a well-informed Web developer to interpret and act on the messages these tools generate. Making a site accessible requires human judgment and informed decisions. It is a process that cannot be automated.

free Accessibility ToolsFree Accessibility Tools

Vischeck and Daltonize Color Blindness Tools
http://vischeck.com/index.php

  • Vischeck simulates color blindness. Daltonize corrects images for colorblind users.
  • Available as a free online tool, Photoshop plug-in, or Java application.

Delorie Lynx Viewer
http://www.delorie.com/web/lynxview.html

  • Free web-based service simulating a text-only browser.
  • Shows approximately how your pages will sound to a speech user.

Opera
http://www.opera.com/

  • A free, fast, highly standards-compliant Web browser.
  • Toggle images, style sheets, scripting, and tables on and off with a single mouse click.
  • Allows site managers to check alt-text, see how tables linearize, and ensure that pages work with style sheets turned off.

NIST WebMetrics Tool Suite
http://zing.ncsl.nist.gov/WebTools/

  • A set of tools used to test the usability and accessibility of a site.

HTML Validation Service and CSS Validator

  • Minor HTML and CSS syntax errors can have serious consequences for accessibility.
  • Free online validators from W3C help ensure your pages are error-free, accessible, and cross-platform compatible.

access.adobe.com
http://access.adobe.com/

  • Online tools for converting PDF files to HTML or ASCII.
  • Resources for visually impaired users and more.

Bobby
http://bobby.watchfire.com/bobby/html/en/index.jsp

  • Tool for checking Web page accessibility and 508 compliance.
  • Online service is free. Desktop version is paid.
  • Requires understanding of HTML.

W3C's List of Evaluation and Repair Tools
http://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/existingtools.html

  • Descriptions and links to over 30 different kinds of tools.
  • Help with evaluation, retrofitting, and transformation of Web content.

Commercial Products

Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by The Department of Health and Human Services.

Corda Technologies
http://www.corda.com/

  • Software for creating accessible, dynamically generated graphs and charts from complex data.

Colorfield Insight Color Blindness Simulator
http://www.colorfield.com/

  • Photoshop plug-in (Macintosh) for designers of Web graphics.

LIFT for Macromedia Dreamweaver
http://www.usablenet.com/lift_dw/lift_dw.html

  • Accessibility tool that works within the Dreamweaver Web-editing application.
  • Allows Web authors to build accessibility into their pages at the development stage.
  • Iterative accessibility checking reduces need for post-launch repairs.
  • Produced by the Macromedia-UsableNet partnership.

InFocus
http://www.ssbtechnologies.com/products/InFocus.php

  • Accessibility software from SSB Technologies.

AccVerify
http://www.hisoftware.com/access/newvIndex.html

  • Accessibility software from HiSoftware.

PageScreamer
http://www.crunchy.com/

  • Accessibility software from Crunchy Technologies.

Accessibility LabsAccessibility Labs

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): TARGET Center
http://www.usda.gov/oo/target/

  • Hands-on demonstrations and evaluations of assistive technologies.

Assistive TechnologiesAssistive Technologies

These are some of the devices and applications that help people with disabilities use their computers and access the web. This list is not exhaustive.

Screen readers and Combination SoftwareScreen Readers and Combination Software

Talking BrowsersTalking Browsers

Screen MagnificationScreen Magnification

  • ZoomText - AI Squared
    http://www.aisquared.com/
  • Lunar and Lunar Plus - Dolphin
    http://www.dolphinuk.co.uk/products/lunar.htm
  • MAGic - Freedom Scientific
    http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/software_magic.asp

BrailleBraille

Voice RecognitionVoice Recognition

Alternative Input DevicesAlternative Input Devices

  • One-handed keyboards, head mouse/pointer devices, touch screens, joysticks, switches, and many other technologies have been developed to help people with mobility impairments use computers. United Cerebral Palsey Dallas maintains a list of companies that make these assistive devices.

Training and WebcastsTraining and Webcasts

NIH Accessible Technology Expo: July 26, 2001 - Streaming RealVideo
http://videocast.nih.gov/ram/access072601.ram

  • Presentations from Government and Industry experts on Section 508, universal access, and assistive technologies.
  • Requires RealPlayer. See the NIH Videocasting FAQ if you encounter difficulties with the broadcast.

Developing Accessible Web Pages: July 5, 2000 - Streaming RealVideo
http://www.broadcast.noaa.gov/access/webacc.ram

  • Three-hour training seminar on making Web pages accessible in compliance with Section 508.
  • Requires RealPlayer. See the NIH Videocasting FAQ if you encounter difficulties with the broadcast.

ACE/NETC Online Course
http://www.lgta.org/accessibility/index.html

  • Materials from a six-week electronic class on creating accessible sites, for the Agricultural Communicators in Education (ACE) and National Extension Technology Conference (NETC).

Accessibility LabsAccessibility Labs

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): TARGET Center
http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm

  • Features an accessibility lab that provides hands-on demonstrations and evaluations of assistive technologies

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Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources

Listservs

The W3C's WAI has a number of listservs on accessibility topics. Searchable archives are available online. The Web Accessiblity Initiative Interest Group and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Working Group archives are an excellent resource.

Nonprofit SitesNonprofit Sites

WebAIM (Web Accessibility In Mind)
http://www.webaim.org/

  • Reliable accessibility information, tutorials, articles, and resources.
  • Continually updated.

The Trace Center at University of Wisconsin-Madison
http://trace.wisc.edu/

  • Center for research on accessible information technology and telecommunications.

National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM)
http://ncam.wgbh.org/

  • Research and development initiatives on technologies for public mass media.
  • Rich Media Resource Center for developing accessible multimedia content.
  • Developers of MagPIE (Media Access Generator) tool multimedia-captioning tool.

Accessible Web Page Design
http://www.makoa.org/web-design.htm

  • Extensive collection of accessible-design resources and links.

World Association of Persons with Disabilities
http://www.wapd.org/index.html

  • Current information, assistance, and activism for the physically and mentally disabled.

WebAIM
http://www.webaim.org/

  • Web Accessibility In Mind: a non-profit organization devoted to Web Accessibility.
  • Delivers a wealth of accessibility information and resources.

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) LinksWorld Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Links

Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
http://w3c.org/wai/

  • Entry point into the W3C's web-accessibility activities and resources.

W3C Listserv Archives
http://www.w3.org/Mail/Archives

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0
http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/

  • The accessibility standards on which Section 508 is based.
  • Adopted by many countries as law.

Government SitesGovernment Sites

Federal IT Accessibility Initiative: Section508.gov
http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm

  • Official home page of Section 508.
  • Comprehensive resource on laws and regulations, training, and current news.
  • "Buy Accessible" - A new service for federal procurement staff.
  • "Section 508 Universe" - Training for webmasters.

Department of Justice (DOJ)
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/508

  • The DOJ is responsible for the enforcement of Section 508. Site includes self-evaluation tools and background documentation.

Section508.gov
http://section508.gov/

  • Official home page of Section 508.
  • Comprehensive resource on laws and regulations, training, and current news.
  • "Buy Accessible" - A service for federal procurement staff.


Commercial SitesCommercial Sites

WebABLE
http://www.webable.com

  • Provides accessibility services and resources, including a database listing hundreds of Internet-based resources.

Usable Web
http://usableweb.com/topics/000262-0-0.html

  • Keith Instone's guide to Web usability resources has a frequently updated list of accessibility articles and links.

Builder.com
http://builder.cnet.com/webbuilding/pages/Authoring/Accessibility/ss07.html

  • Offers general accessibility tips on color, text-only, and text-to-speech applications.

Microsoft
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/nhp/Default.asp?contentid=28000544

  • Provides Web development and design guidelines and HTML code examples.

SAMS Teach Yourself Web Publishing With HTML in 21 Days, Second Edition
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0672317257/jomillerA/104-6585879-4480757

  • There are a lot of HTML resources on the Web, but most of them are out of date or incomplete, and none of them is as useful and well written as this book. A hardcover professional reference edition is also available.

Homesite
http://www.macromedia.com/software/homesite/

  • Stand-alone HTML editor for Windows. Has HTML tools, build-in syntax checker, and integrates well with Dreamweaver (see below).

Macromedia Dreamweaver
http://www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/

  • This powerful and intuitive WYSIWYG ("what-you-see-is-what-you-get") HTML authoring tool produces cleaner HTML than competing products. Includes scripting tools, easy imagemap-creation utilities, and many advanced features.

Disability Information and ResourcesDisability Information and Resources

DisABILITY Information and Resources
http://www.makoa.org/

  • Gateway to all kinds of disability information.
  • Created and are maintained by Jim Lubin, who is a C2 quadriplegic, completely paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator to breathe, using an keyboard/mouse emulator with a sip and puff switch to type morse codes.

World Association of Persons with Disabilities
http://www.wapd.org/index.html

  • Current information, assistance, and activism for the physically and mentally disabled.

American Foundation for the Blind Web Site
http://www.afb.org/

  • Includes information and statistics on blindness and low vision.
  • Tips for accessible web design; technology in the lives of people with visual impairments, more.

How People With Disabilities Use the Web
http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/PWD-Use-Web/Overview.html

  • Scenarios showing how people with disabilities use assistive technologies to access Web sites.
  • Simple steps web authors can take to improve user experience.

Thirty-Something (Million): Should They Be Exceptions?
http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/PWD-Use-Web/Overview.html

  • The economic and universal benefits of accessible design.

Screen Reader Simulation
http://www.webaim.org/tutorials/simulations/screenreader

  • Demonstrates how a visually-impaired person using a screen-reader experiences the Internet.

Considering the Color Blind: Web Techniques
http://www.webtechniques.com/archives/2000/08/newman/

  • A graphic designer explains what color blindness really is and how it affects Web users
  • What Web designers can do to make their sites more accessible to color-blind people.
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What's New area includes New usability Lessons Learned, More Tech companies see the value and profitability of usability, New W3C guidelines.

Moving Forms to the Web - Thursday-Friday, October 14-15, 2004

Goal Oriented Planning and Testing October 21, 2004

New Research-Based Guidelines Sorting Tool: Sort Guidelines by Importance, Strength of Evidence, and Other Options

What's New Archive

   
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