Web Communications
Accessibility Resources
[ Testing | Tools | Laws | Articles | General Resources | Browsers | Specific Impairments ]
Testing Your Web Site for Accessibility
W3C http://validator.w3.org
This service checks HTML documents for conformance to W3C HTML and XHTML recommendations and other HTML standards.
Net Mechanic
Net Mechanic doesn't check for accessibility, but it does check your Web site to find broken links, perform HTML validation, optimize your images and monitor your server's performance. Assistive Technology Software Tools
Jaws for Windows from Freedom Scientific
Screen reader software that allows those who are blind or visually impaired to use the Web and other software applications.
Easy Web Browsing from IBM -- free 30-day trial download available.
Home Page Reader (HPR) provides an interface for computer users who are blind or visually impaired to navigate and manipulate Web page elements and uses IBM's ViaVoice Outloud text-to-speech synthesizer for speaking.
QuickTime Pro
May be helpful in adding synchronized captions to your video and multimedia presentations.
LiveStage Pro
An authoring tool for developers and digital media producers, also offers the option of adding synchronized captioning.
Zoom Text Xtra
It is a screen magnifier and some versions also include a screen reader.
Window Eyes
It is a speech synthesizer that works with the Windows operating system to access popular software applications and the Internet Assistive Technology Hardware Tools
IntelliKeys
It is an alernate keyboard, which provides large keys that are easy to see and touch. The light-touch surface can be operated with finger, foot, head or plonker-stick. Overlays give the user a customizable keyboard.
Information on Laws Pertaining to Web Accessibility
U.S. Department of Justice, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Enforcing the ADA -- A Status Report from the Department of Justice
Section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973 -- Department of Justice site.
Section 508: The Road to Accessibility --U.S. General Services Administration's Office of Governmentwide Policy site.
Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards from Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Resources - General
Web Accessibility Initiative
As part of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), WAI is focused on Web accessibility through five areas: technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development.
IBM Web Accessibility Center
Features an accessibility checklist and information on each guideline.
access.adobe.com
This web site provides tools and resources to help people with visual disabilities access information in Adobe® PDF and other file formats.
CPD/WBGH National Center for Accessible Media
A research and development facility that works to make media accessible to people with disabilities, minority-language users and people with low literacy skills.
Adaptive Technology Resource Centre -- University of Toronto Information Commons.
The Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (ATRC) provides information and consultation on alternative methods of accessing information technology for people with disabilities.
Resources - Browsers
WeMedia Browser
Talking browser designed to help people with low vision and some learning disabilities use the Internet more easily.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Version 5.x and higher (full install) has a special access technology called "Microsoft Active Accessibility" (MSAA)
Resources for Specific Impairments
Vischeck
Vischeck's color vision model allows you to simulate how the world looks to people with various sorts of color deficiency.
Articles about Accessibility
Murie, Michael. "QuickTips: Captioning QuickTime," DV.com magazine.
Thatcher, Jim. "Web Accessibility Testing," JimThatcher.com. Taken from Chapter 13 of Web Accessibility: Web Standards and Regulatory Compliance by Jim Thatcher, et al. 2006
Website Magazine, "On Web Accessibility: Anne Taylor (National Federation of the Blind)," Interview. Aug. 22, 2008
Website Magazine, "On Web Accessibility: Sharron Rush (Knowbility)," Interview. Aug. 22
Discussion Groups and Listservs
EASI
A general discussion on adaptive technology with a special focus on its uses in education. To subscribe, send email to: listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu with the message: sub easi Firstname Lastname
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