Designing for Disabilities: Section 508 Accessibility for Beginners An introduction to Section 508 accessibility requirements for Federal agencies and other federally funded organizations. Source: Sitepoint Link: sitepoint.com/designing-disabilities-section-508-international-accessibility-compliance-beginners/
Inclusive, by Design” by Derek Featherstone—An Event Apart video Organizations grow over time. Their understanding of accessibility and their attitude towards it change too. This article outlines the five stages of accessibility from denial to acceptance. Source: Simply Accessible – Derek Featherstone Link: simplyaccessible.com/article/five-stages-of-accessibility/
Beginner’s Guide to ADA Website Accessibility Compliance Learn about inclusive design and how to optimize your website for ADA compliance with this beginner’s guide to accessibility. Source: Search Engine Journal Link: www.searchenginejournal.com/website-accessibility-compliance/374878/#close
What is readability? Source: Texthelp Link: www.texthelp.com/resources/what-is-readability/
Policy and Related Information
Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA DOJ’s guidance on web accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It explains how state and local governments (entities covered by ADA Title II) and businesses open to the public (entities covered by ADA Title III) can make sure their websites are accessible to people with disabilities in line with the ADA’s requirements. Source: The Department of Justice (DOJ) Link: beta.ada.gov/web-guidance/
Senators Continue CUNA-Backed Push for ADA Website Clarity The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) reports that a group of U.S. Senators has followed up on a September 2018 letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ), continuing to urge the agency to take action to provide clarity on how the ADA applies to websites. Source: Accessibility Shield Link: www.accessibilityshield.com/senators-continue-cuna-backed-push-for-ada-website-clarity
When Good Sites Go Bad: The Growing Risk of Website Accessibility Litigation In recent years, the number of website accessibility lawsuits has significantly increased, where plaintiffs with disabilities allege that they could not access websites because they were incompatible with assistive technologies, like screen readers for people with vision disabilities. This article includes tips on how to manage litigation risk for website accessibility. Source: National Law Review Link: natlawreview.com/article/when-good-sites-go-bad-growing-risk-website-accessibility-litigation
Website Accessibility under Title II of the ADA The Department of Justice (DOJ) ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments discusses how Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to state and local government websites. Source: Department of Justice Link: ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap5toolkit.htm
Does the ADA Apply in the Internet Era? The Department of Justice (DOJ) ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments discusses how Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to state and local government websites. Source: The Legal Intelligence – powered by Law.com Link: www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/2018/03/23/does-the-ada-apply-in-the-internet-era/
Section508.gov – Opening Doors to IT Resources for understanding and implementing Section 508. Source: Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act Link: section508.gov
ADA and the Internet: Where Things Stand A quick summary of the legal status for digital accessibility, enforcement of the ADA when it applies to websites, and the regulatory status as it pertains to updating the ADA to specifically include requirements for the Internet. Source: Level Access Link:www.levelaccess.com/?s=ada+and+the+internet
Surprise! DOJ delays web accessibility rulemaking, again In a not-so-surprise move, the Department of Justice has once again delayed issuing regulations on making government websites accessible to people with disabilities. While insisting in a statement that making web accessibility rules is a “high priority,” DOJ announced that it has withdrawn its notice of proposed rulemaking addressing accessibility under Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Source: Bloomberg BNA Link: www.bna.com/surprise-doj-delays-b57982070706
Web accessibility will now be the law of the land in Europe On May 3, 2016, after a long night of negotiation, and after more than three years since its proposal, it was agreed that web accessibility will now be the law of the land in Europe. This is a victory not only for persons with disabilities, but all of us, writes Dita Charanzová. Source: EurActive Link: euractiv.com/section/digital/opinion/web-accessibility-will-now-be-the-law-of-the-land-in-europe/
Interview: Alistair Duggin, head of accessibility, Government Digital Service Transforming government services is not just about making them digital, but making them accessible for citizens. While the Government Digital Service (GDS) aims to build digital platforms and help departments create digital services, its head of accessibility, Alistair Duggin, tries to ensure no one gets left behind. Source: Computer Weekly Link: computerweekly.com/news/450280581/Interview-Alistair-Duggin-head-of-accessibility-Government-Digital-Service
5 tips to fend off website accessibility litigation Are you ready for a website audit? The chances are that your website is already being reviewed by plaintiffs attorneys who have gained momentum in filing website accessibility lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). … The statute and its implementing regulations, which are promulgated by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), explicitly address physical barriers to access, among other issues. They do not, however, specifically address access to websites. Source: Corporate Counsel Link: www.corpcounsel.com/id=1202756109215/5-Tips-to-Fend-Off-Website-Accessibility-Litigation
Apple online store gets new accessibility section Apple has added a new section to its online store where shoppers can find a range of accessibility gadgets. It is split up into vision, physical and motor skills, and learning and literacy categories, and features products for Mac, iPhone and iPad. A December report from a Japanese website claimed Apple was planning to sell accessibility gadgets in early 2016 in an effort to help fans with disabilities better engage with its products. As of today, that accessibility section is live. Source: Cult of Mac Link: www.cultofmac.com/426800/apple-online-store-gets-new-accessibility-section/
Learn about PEAT TalentWorks, the new online resource on eRecruiting accessibility If you have applied for a job any time since the beginning of the 21st century, you are probably familiar with online job applications. eRecruiting systems and applicant tracking software have replaced traditional paper applications in the modern job search, often to the dismay of job applicants. Source: Huffington Post Link: www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-blahovec/new-initiative-seeks-to-a_b_9818778.html
ADA and the internet: ADA settlements – fitting accessibility compliance into your product lifecycle If your organization is involved in web-related ADA litigation, one of the most important things your legal counsel can do is fight for a realistic accessibility compliance timeline. We have seen settlements with timelines in the one- to two-year range. In our experience, trying to get a system into a high level of compliance with WCAG 2.0 AA standards in anything less than two years is exceptionally difficult. Source: SSBart Group Link: www.ssbbartgroup.com/blog/ada-internet-ada-settlements-fitting-accessibility-compliance-product-lifecycle/
Organizations and Technical Assistance
Web Accessibility in Mind (WebAIM) Renown organization on web accessibility. Extensive resources, blog, newsletter and tutorials on their website. Services provided include: accessibility training, technical assistance, accessible site certification, evaluation and reporting. Source: Web Accessibility in Mind (WebAIM) Link: webaim.org
The Web Design Group (WDG) A range of free technical specification references for HTML authoring plus online checking tools for verifying compatibility with relevant web design standards. Source: The Web Design Group (WDG) Link: htmlhelp.com
Usability Guidelines for Accessible Web Design A free report that presents techniques and design guidelines for creating websites for people who use assistive technology for browsing websites, including supplemental discussions, screenshots and photographs. Developed by the Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g) which provides articles, news, and evidence=based user experience research, training, and consulting on accessibility and usability. Source: Nielsen Norman Group (NN/g) Link: nngroup.com/reports/usability-guidelines-accessible-web-design/
Diagram Center Resource for web developers and people responsible for providing alt text. Includes guidelines and examples. Source: Diagram Center Link: diagramcenter.org
AccessibilityOz – Accessibility Factsheets A series of factsheets that provide detailed information on accessibility issues, impact on the end user together with a detailed checklist or test plan that can be used by content managers or developers to review website content and functionality and guidance on the use of automated testing tools. They can be read online, downloaded and printed by following these category links. Source: AccessibilityOz Link: accessibilityoz.com/factsheets/
Juicy Studio Users can access free accessibility tools such as a readability test, a luminosity color contrast analyzer, and an image analyzer. Juicy Studio also features articles about best practices in web development, with accessibility as a prime focus. Source: Juicy Studio Link: juicystudio.com/services.php
Web Development Tools at UITest.com Comprehensive list of Web development testing tools from accessibility to validation. Source: UITest Link: uitest.com
Cynthia Says ™ from HiSoftware ® Free online service that checks one webpage and generates a report based on conformance to Section 508 or the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Source: HiSoftware Link: cynthiasays.com
Web Accessibility Toolbar (WAT) for Internet Explorer Free tool that assists in evaluating a web page for compliance to the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.0 (WCAG 2.0) Source: The Paciello Group Link: paciellogroup.com/resources/wat/
Photosensitive Epileptic Analysis Tool (PEAT Free tool to check whether animations or video in web content is likely to cause seizures. Source: TRACE Center University of Wisconsin/ Madison Link: trace.wisc.edu/peat
Color Contrast Checker Source: Web Accessibility in Mind (WebAIM) Link: webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker
Check My Colours – Color Contrast Free online tool to check the contrast between foreground and background colors. Source: Developed by Giovanni Scala Link: checkmycolours.com
Color Blind Web Page Filter Free online tool that allows you see how a webpage may appear to individuals who have color-blindness. Source: Aware Color Lab Link: colorfilter.wickline.org
Readability Test Free online tool to help check the reading level of a website. Source: Juicy Studio Link: juicystudio.com/services/readability.php
Image Analyser Free online tool to help check the images on a webpage for accessibility issues. Source: Juicy Studio. Link: juicystudio.com/services/image.php
Training Resources
Accessible Technology On-Line Webinar Series A series of webinars to increase awareness of technology accessibility for people with disabilities. Sponsored by the Great Lakes ADA Center, a member of the ADA National Network. The sessions are 90 minutes in length. Real-Time captioning is available for each session and will be broadcast via the webinar platform. A telephone option for receiving audio is also available (non-toll free number). Source: Great lakes ADA Center Link: accessibilityonline.org/ada-audio
Section 508 Best Practices Webinar Series A series of webinars that address a variety of issues associated with ensuring federal agencies have the knowledge to meet their obligations under Section. Co-sponsored by the ADA National Network, the U.S Access Board, the Accessibility Committee of the CIO Council, and eFedLink/ODEP. The sessions are 90 minutes in length. Real-Time captioning and Video Sign Language Interpreter are available for each session and will be broadcast via the webinar platform. A telephone option for receiving audio is also available (non-toll free number). Source: ADA National Network, the U.S Access Board, the Accessibility Committee of the CIO Council, and eFedLink/ODEP Link: adaconferences.org/CIOC
Accessible Technology in the Workplace Resources, news and frequently asked questions on accessible technology, assistive technology, and the use of information technology that is universally accessible. Developed by the Pacific ADA Center and Great Lakes ADA Center, both are members of the ADA National Network. Source: Pacific ADA Center and Great Lakes ADA Center Link: accessibletech.org
EASI: Equal Access to Software and Information Webinars A non-profit organization that offers webinars and courses on a variety of accessibility-related topics. Source: EASI: Equal Access to Software and Information Link: easi.cc/clinic.htm
Section 508 Universe Training A central hub for U.S. General Service Administration’s (GSA) Section 508 training and information resources, including topic-specific courses that address Section 508 implementation as well as Web links and a glossary of 508-related terms. Source: U.S. General Service Administration’s Section 508 Link: training.section508.gov
Web Accessibility 101 Video Series A YouTube video series from the SSB BART Group that features introductory level videos demonstrating assistive technology and common accessibility challenges. Source: SSB Bart Group Link: youtube.com/channel/UCMaj9TLWOF6fx-bFdapY1AA
The Mindfulness of Accessibility Source: Presentation from 2014 Penn State Web Conference Captioned video, 50 min. Link: youtube.com/watch?v=n6JoLLTsKSI
WCAG 2.0 tutorial- Web accessibility made easy Online tutorial that introduces and summarizes the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and its four principles: 1) Perceivable, 2) Operable, 3) Understandable, 4) Robust. Source: Olga Revilla Link: oneguidelineaday.com
Web Accessibility Course: Developing with Empathy Get hands-on experience making web applications accessible and understand when and why users need accessibility. Dive into the “how”: making a page work properly with screen readers, and managing input focus (e.g. the highlight you see when tabbing through a form.) Also covers what “semantics” and “semantic markup” mean for web pages; adding ARIA markup to enable navigating the interface with a range of assistive devices; and styling techniques that help users with partial vision navigate your pages easily and reliably. Source: Udacity and Google Accessibility Link: udacity.com/course/web-accessibility–ud891
Web Fundamentals – Accessibility This document set is a text-based version of part of the content covered in the course from Udacity and Google Accessibility. Rather than a direct transcription of the video course, it is meant to be a more concise treatment of accessibility principles and practices, using the course’s original content as a base. Source: Google Developers Link: developers.google.com/web/fundamentals/accessibility/