AccessIT

Creating an Accessible
Technology-Enhanced Learning Environment

Terry Thompson
University of Washington
tft@u.washington.edu
http://www.washington.edu/accessit/presentations/csms2006.html

Technology-Enhanced Learning

Academic Software
Web sites
Learning management systems
Video
Interactive online meeting environments
Information kiosks
Other

Can everyone use these technologies?

"Everyone"

People who perceive information...

Visually
Audibly
Through touch

People who operate computers...

With a mouse
With keyboard or keyboard emulation
With stylus
With speech

Guidelines and Standards

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 1.0

14 guidelines
Priority 1, 2, and 3 checkpoints
- Priority 1 = MUST do
- Priority 2 = SHOULD do
- Priority 3 = MAY do

Section 508 Standards

Developed by the Access Board
Web is one of 6 categories of electronic and information technology
Based in part on WCAG Priority 1
16 standards
access-board.gov
Provides a minimum standard for accessibility (WCAG 1.0 has 65 checkpoints)

DRAFT
W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0

Perceivable
Operable
Understandable
Robust

Legal Framework

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Qualified persons with disabilities must not be excluded from educational entity�s programs or services
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended in 1998, established standards that define IT accessibility.
Many states, and higher ed institutions, have adopted Section 508 standards

Historical Trends

Old Model

Disability-Centric approach
- Special Education (K-12)
- Disability Services (Postsecondary)

New Model

Individual Accommodations
Assistive technology

Strategies for Assuring IT Accessibility

Establish policies, standards and/or guidelines
Include accessibility in purchasing requirements
Identify responsible employees/groups
Develop an IT accessibility plan (include current assessment, objectives, priorities, timelines, resources)
Educate faculty and staff
Empower the infrastructure

Example Policies/Guidelines