Access through Adaptive Computer Technology and Website Design

July 10, 2003 - Information Technology Accessible Web Design Presentation

Our July 10th, 2003 presentation is part of the initiative to make our campus a model for accessible electronic content. It will focus on incorporating CSS as well as the guidelines (508, W3C checkpoints, and Illinois Guidelines) for creating web pages that adhere to standards of accessibility.

Your presenters for this event are:

Michael Whitney

Michael Whitney heads adaptive technology and accessible web creation for Disability Support Services at SIUC and is also the coordinator of the Adaptive Computer Technology & Website Design HECA grant project. In addition to his MA in Rehabilitation, Whitney has completed training on designing universally acceptable web resources and an assistive technology applications certificate program offered by the State University of California Northridge. He will discuss and demonstrate some of the common adaptive technologies utilized by students with disabilities.

Jim Sissom

Jim Sissom is a computer information specialist for SIUC Information technology currently involved in the development of a college level web design and assistive technology course at SIUC.

Topics of Discussion and Presented Technologies

Inaccessible navigation and Legislation requiring accessibility

• Example of web navigation with assistive technology and limitations of inaccessible sites.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Illinois Web Accessibility Standards
• Administrative Order
• Section 508 : Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards

Examples of inaccessible design and Tools used to make them accessible

• A-Prompt used to make an HTML document on the cd accessible
• Bobby used to check the accessibility of a page
• Review of tools and resources on the CD provided with session.