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Episode 12 Resources: Web Accessibility

Contents

Getting Started with Web Accessibility

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
  • Senator Duckworth and Representative Sarbanes Introduce Bill to Make Websites and Mobile Applications Accessible to Individuals with Disabilities
    Source: American Council of the Blind (ACB) (September 29, 2022)
    Link:      acb.org/senator-duckworth-and-representative-sarbanes-introduce-bill-to-make-web-applications-accessible
  • 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/
  • Checklists for Section 508 from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
    Checklists for creating accessible documents, including Word, Excel PowerPoint HTML (webpage) and Multimedia files.
    Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
    Link: hhs.gov/web/508/accessiblefiles/checklists.html
  • Section508.gov – Opening Doors to IT
    Resources for understanding and implementing Section 508.
    Source: Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act
    Link: section508.gov
  • U.S. Access Board – Section 508 Guidelines for Web-based Information and Applications
    Source: U.S. Access Board
    Link: access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards/guide-to-the-section-508-standards
  • 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
  •  3 Key Things to Look Out for During a [Website] ADA Compliance Audit
    Source: New Possibilities Group
    Link: npgroup.net/blog/3-things-to-look-for-during-an-ada-compliance-audit/
  • 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
  • Universal Design Guidelines and Standards for Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
    A plain English interpretation of the W3C guidelines together with the reasons behind why each checkpoint is important.
    Source: Centre for Excellence in Universal Design
    Link: universaldesign.ie/guidelinesampstandards/ict
  • 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/
  • The ADA Checklist: Website Compliance Guidelines for 2019 in Plain English
    Source: Medium- Kris Rivenburgh
    Link: medium.com/@krisrivenburgh/the-ada-checklist-website-compliance-guidelines-for-2019-in-plain-english-123c1d58fad9<
  • 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

Accessibility Evaluation Tools

Checklists for manual tests

Tools for automatic checking

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
  • Understanding Accessible and Assistive Technology
    Source: Great Lakes ADA Center
    Link: adagreatlakes.com/Publications/ATBulletin/Archives/Volume12%20Issue1.asp
  • 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

Resources and Publications

Tutorials, Videos, and Courses

  • The Mindfulness of Accessibility
    Source: Presentation from 2014 Penn State Web Conference
    Captioned video, 50 min.
    Link: youtube.com/watch?v=n6JoLLTsKSI
  • Dive Into Accessibility: 30 days to a more accessible web site
    Online book which discusses accessible design issues and techniques.
    Source: Mark Pilgrim
    Link: diveintoaccessibility.info
  • Web Accessibility for Section 508 Tutorial
    Source: JimThatcher.com.
    Link: jimthatcher.com/webcourse1.htm
  • 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/

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