Section 508: 1998 Amendments To The Rehabilitation Act
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REVIEW Page
Below is the entire module on one page. wheelchair bound computer user
It is estimated that 43,000,000 Americans have disabilities, with the number growing significantly as the population ages. The movement to assure accessibility to the Internet as a civil right gained momentum with the 1998 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act. These amendments are called Section 508, The Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards. Section 508 requires most Federal Internet resources to become accessible according to Section 508 specifications. Additionally, …show more content…
Alternate text, provides a written description of the meaning of an image, and should always be included when adding images to web pages.
Example:
What is the cost of being inaccessible?
Accessible websites reach a far wider population of users than those that ignore the disabled population. An inaccessible website could cost you or your organization an important audience for your ideas. Additionally, you might lose a government contract or grant to a more accessible competitor. For public schools accepting Federal money, failure to provide accessible technology could mean you would have to return money to the Federal Government. The US Department of Education has stated its intention to audit state education systems for compliance with Section 508.
How can I understand the accessibility needs of my students?
woman with eyes closed, attempts to read braille.
Empathy is all-important. If you have a disability you are already very aware of this issue. If not, trying to understand the user experience of a disabled person is a worthwhile exercise. Try any of the following …show more content…
(Hint, TAB and Arrow keys are usually important.)
Figure out how to turn off the graphics in your browser. (Use your browsers help system to figure out how to turn off graphics.) Try navigating without the graphics. Consider how much information you lose without the graphics. Does this help establish the importance of alternate text?
If you have a high speed Internet connection try visiting the University of Wisconsin-Madison Video on the Web page. Investigate the Introduction to the Screen Reader course. Download and view the 12mb video. You will certainly gain insight and empathy for the extraordinary determination of those with visual disabilities. The importance of assistive technology is brilliantly depicted in Assistive Technology: Enabling Dreams a fine online video from the George Lucas Foundation.
Finally, consider visiting an Assistive Technology lab at a local community college or university. Try to select a time that allows you to observe students with disabilities receiving instruction on using Assistive Technology.
Authored by Dennis O'Connor
REVIEW Page
Below is the entire module on one page. wheelchair bound computer user
It is estimated that 43,000,000 Americans have disabilities, with the number growing significantly as the population ages. The movement to assure accessibility to the Internet as a civil right gained momentum with the 1998 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act. These amendments are called Section 508, The Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards. Section 508 requires most Federal Internet resources to become accessible according to Section 508 specifications. Additionally, …show more content…
Alternate text, provides a written description of the meaning of an image, and should always be included when adding images to web pages.
Example:
What is the cost of being inaccessible?
Accessible websites reach a far wider population of users than those that ignore the disabled population. An inaccessible website could cost you or your organization an important audience for your ideas. Additionally, you might lose a government contract or grant to a more accessible competitor. For public schools accepting Federal money, failure to provide accessible technology could mean you would have to return money to the Federal Government. The US Department of Education has stated its intention to audit state education systems for compliance with Section 508.
How can I understand the accessibility needs of my students?
woman with eyes closed, attempts to read braille.
Empathy is all-important. If you have a disability you are already very aware of this issue. If not, trying to understand the user experience of a disabled person is a worthwhile exercise. Try any of the following …show more content…
(Hint, TAB and Arrow keys are usually important.)
Figure out how to turn off the graphics in your browser. (Use your browsers help system to figure out how to turn off graphics.) Try navigating without the graphics. Consider how much information you lose without the graphics. Does this help establish the importance of alternate text?
If you have a high speed Internet connection try visiting the University of Wisconsin-Madison Video on the Web page. Investigate the Introduction to the Screen Reader course. Download and view the 12mb video. You will certainly gain insight and empathy for the extraordinary determination of those with visual disabilities. The importance of assistive technology is brilliantly depicted in Assistive Technology: Enabling Dreams a fine online video from the George Lucas Foundation.
Finally, consider visiting an Assistive Technology lab at a local community college or university. Try to select a time that allows you to observe students with disabilities receiving instruction on using Assistive Technology.
Authored by Dennis O'Connor