Where can I find online resources for learning about accessible information technology?

Date Updated
04/08/21

The following sampling of online resources includes both websites and discussion lists related to accessible information technology. Many of the websites listed include online courses and/or tutorials.

Websites

DO-IT
Resources on electronic and information technology, postsecondary education, and careers for people with disabilities.

University of Washington Center for Technology and Disability Studies
Resources on AT and IT including technical assistance and training.

Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (ATRC)
The ATRC, located at the University of Toronto in Canada, conducts research and development and provides education, proactive design consultation, and direct service all geared toward advancing information technology that is accessible to all.

Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)
CAST provides resources, research, and examples to promote and assist in universal design for learning.

Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI)
EASI provides a variety of resources, including online training, on accessible technology and the design of barrier-free computer and information technology systems for persons with disabilities.

HTML Writers Guild
The Guild provides online training for web developers through their eClasses program. Their catalog of online courses covers the breadth of web work, from HTML to Flash, from Dreamweaver to PHP. Classes are taught by working professionals in the field. Their Accessible Web Authoring Resource and Education (AWARE) Center focuses on the importance of designing for universal accessibility.

National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM)
NCAM is a research and development facility dedicated to media and information technology accessibility for people with disabilities. NCAM's Tools & Guidelines provides tutorials to help developers learn how to incorporate accessibility features into rich media.

Trace Research & Development Center
The Trace Center works on ways to make standard information technologies and telecommunications systems more accessible and usable by people with disabilities.

Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
WAI is part of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the group who develops and promotes web standards. WAI's specific focus is accessibility of the web, which it pursues through technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development. Free training resources are listed on the WAI Resources website.

Web Accessibility in Mind (WebAIM)
WebAIM conducts research and development, and provides information and training specifically focused on Web accessibility.

Online Discussion Lists

Adapt-L focuses on adaptive technology and libraries. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to listserv@american.edu. In the body of the message type "subscribe adapt-L Firstname Lastname."

Adtech-ps focuses on adaptive technology and technology accessibility in postsecondary education. Subscribe at the adtech-ps Info Page.

AToutcomes supports the development and use of reliable, valid, and sensitive outcome measures in assistive technology. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to majordomo@snow.utoronto.ca. In the body of the message type "subscribe atoutcomes email-address."

Axslib-l focuses on issues surrounding access to libraries by people with disabilities. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu. In the body of the message type "subscribe axslib Firstname Lastname."

Crt-focus is for discussion of assistive technology for people with disabilities. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to listproc@smash.gatech.edu. In the body of the message type "subscribe crt-focus Firstname Lastname."

DISTEC is a Spanish-speaking discussion forum for researchers, designers, and users of assistive technology. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to listserv@listserv.rediris.es. In the body of the message type "subscribe DISTEC Firstname Lastname."

EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) discusses technology access for people with disabilities. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu. In the body of the message type "subscribe easi Firstname Lastname."

Uaccess-l is for discussion of universal access to information systems. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to listproc@trace.wisc.edu. In the body of the message type "subscribe uaccess-l Firstname Lastname."

WAI Interest Group is a very active forum for discussion of issues relating to web accessibility. It is hosted by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Consortium (W3C), the group responsible for the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. For more information and to subscribe, consult the WAI Interest Group Home Page.