Website Accessibility Resources

We have assembled a list of a variety of resources that may assist organizations looking to make their websites accessible.

Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
A major activity of the World Wide Web Consortium, the WAI is a broad collaboration among industry, academic research, and members of the disability community to define standards and techniques for maximizing the accessibility of Web-based materials for all users.
Section 508 Final Standards
These standards became effective on June 21, 2001, and govern IT accessibility for all federal agencies and entities operating federal contracts. These standards are expected to have significant impact in the private and nonprofit sectors as well as in government.
IBM Web Accessibility Checklist and Tutorial
The most recent version of IBM’s accessibility checklist is closely aligned with Section 508 federal standards. Each checkpoint includes a link to a short, clear tutorial about basic design and testing techniques.
Web Accessibility for Section 508
The online accessibility course described in the previous entry, on the site of the person who wrote it. Thatcher’s site includes other valuable information, including a comparison chart with side-by-side views of Section 508 requirements and related WCAG Checkpoints.
Knowbility online accessibility course,
An overview of accessibility issues, tools, and techniques for designing accessible Web sites.
WebABLE Solutions
Site maintained by Mike Paciello, founder of the Web Accessibility Initiative. Good design and usability information plus links to hundreds of other resources, including the WAI site.
International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet, Section 508 Resource Page
Substantial listing of government, industry, and academic resources related to federal accessibility standards as defined by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Trace Research and Development Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Probably the leading center for research on information technology and people with disabilities.
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
This site, maintained by Jim Allan, Web-master and Statewide Technical Specialist, provides a wealth of information on a broad range of accessibility topics. Allan is a member of the WAI Interest Group.
Adaptive Technology Resource Center, University of Toronto
Wide-ranging research and development program related to adaptive technologies for persons with disabilities, including excellent work on Web and software accessibility. See also the Special Needs Opportunity Window (SNOW) project site.
Lighthouse International
This organization has created guides to improved legibility through font selection and sizing and effective use of color and contrast. Please see their publications, “Simple Steps to More Readable Type through Universal Graphic Design” and “Making Text Legible: Designing for People with Partial Sight”.
Safe Web Colours for Colour-Deficient Vision
Guidelines for selecting Web colors that work for people who have difficulty seeing certain colors. Excellent illustrations. By Christine Rigdon of British Telecom.
WebAim: Web Accessibility in Mind
The Section 508 checklist with success/failure criteria is especially helpful.
Microsoft’s Enable site
Substantial site providing information about and access to many Microsoft tools for accessible design, plus links to many other resources including information about Microsoft’s Active Accessibility (MSAA) API for Windows.
UseIt!
Web site maintained by Jakob Nielsen, a leading usability expert who has written some useful pointers about accessible design.
Bobby: the automated accessibility checker
Comes in two versions — one on the Web, one stand-alone ( Java-based) application. Stand-alone version can check a whole Web site; the online version checks one page at a time and has trouble with dynamically generated pages. Be aware that no automated tool can possibly detect all accessibility problems. Humans are necessary!
W3C’s HTML Validation Service
A free service that checks Web documents in formats like HTML and XHTML for conformance to W3C Recommendations and other standards.
The WAVE
Developed at Temple University (Philadelphia) by the late Len Kasday, the WAVE is especially useful in helping sighted developers see ALT text and recognize the order in which items on their pages will be read by screen readers and talking browsers.
WAI Evaluation and Repair Tools
Working Group list of free and commercial evaluation and repair tools, the list is frequently updated.
IBM Home Page Builder
A configurable accessibility checker. Much of its extensive functionality is accessible from the keyboard.
Microsoft PowerPoint WWW Accessibility Wizard
Developed by the Division of Education- Rehabilitation Services at the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign. This tool steps PowerPoint authors through the process of converting PowerPoint presentations into accessible Web-based presentations.
Macromedia Dreamweaver extensions
for checking compliance with Section 508 and with general usability guidelines. The Dreamweaver MX product provides substantially more support for authoring accessible content, as well as improved accessibility for authors who have disabilities.
Information about accessibility features for Adobe products
Includes instructions on using Acrobat 5 and Microsoft Word 2000 to create accessible PDF documents.

Developed by John Slatin and Jim Allan to accompany a presentation at the Government Technology Conference in Austin, Texas, on February 15, 2002.

Copyright © 2002 John M. Slatin and Jim Allan. Used with permission.

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Audio Description Equipment Available!

Would you like to offer an audio-described performance or provide assistive listening equipment for a concert, conference or short run of a show? The New Jersey Theatre Alliance has multi-channel FM Equipment available for loan that can be used for assistive listening and audio-description events. For futher information call Robert Carr at the Alliance at: (973) 540-0515 ext 15
Learn more about equipment rental...




The Cultural Access Network is a co-sponsored project of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.