Information Resources for Internet Accessibility

Clark, David, Webmaster (dmclark@cast.org). CAST - Center for Applied Special Technology (Accessed 25 July, 1998) This not-for-profit organization uses computer technology to achieve "universal design" to customize education so that curriculum objectives can be achieved for all - especially those with disabilities.  We found a comprehensive Web page verifier here, BOBBY, along with information about Web authoring and assistive technology.  Available from http://www.cast.org; Internet.
 

Delorie, DJ.  Web Page Backward Compatibility Viewer. (Accessed 8 August 1998) This page provides a service allowing clients to have selected sites viewed without selected browser features, thus simulating the appearance on a Lynx text browser. Available at http://www.delorie.com/web/wpbcv.html; Internet.
 

Freed, Geoff.  CPB/WGBH National Center for Accessible Media, Web Access Project.  (Boston: WGBH Education Fund. Viewed 22 July, 1998) From this site one can view field tests of their research, such as captioned, audio-described movie clips. These are the folks that provide the Web Access Symbol for Web sites.  Available from http://www.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/ncam/currentprojects/wapsummary.html; Internet.
 

Information Technology Accommodation Division of the General Services Administration.  Center for Information Technology Accommodation (CITA).  (Accessed 5 August 1998) This government program is to assist Federal agencies in making their information technology architecture and applications accessible for maximum utility. The site has links to relevant Federal policies, laws, and regulations affecting Information Technology accessibility. Available from http://www.itpolicy.gsa.gov/coca/index.htm; Internet.
 

McQuarrie, Liz. PDF and Adobe(R) Acrobat(R)Viewers for the Visually Disabled. Adobe Systems Incorporated,  February 14th, 1997. (Accessed July 27, 1998) This article, published at a commercial Web site, explains difficulties screen readers encounter interpreting documents in PDF (Portable Document Format).  It offers three solutions: first, a service at access.adobe.com that translates any Internet document on-the-fly to HTML and incorporates special navigation features; second, an Adobe Acrobat Windows plug-in called Adobe Access for non-Internet PDF documents that will place text in reading order and translate it for use by Windows screen readers as well as HTML or ASCII, and, third, the enhancement of PDF with SGML to improve the structure of documents so that screen readers can track articles from column to column and page to page.  Available at http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/accesswhitepaper.html; Internet.

Paciello, Mike. W3C Web Accessibility Initiative WAI Reference List on Web Accessibility.  [W3C (MIT, INRIA, Keio ) Accessed 25 July, 1998]  The Web access Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium presents a good explanation of our need for cognizance of accessibility. You will find general principles of accessible design and comprehensive guidelines at the W3C WAI Accessibility Guidelines: Page Authoring, W3C Working Draft.  Although this is a work in progress it is very helpful in designing pages. There are also guidelines for designing accessible browsers, another work in progress.  Available from http://www.w3.org/WAI/References/; Internet.

 
Quinn, Liam. Why Write Accessible Pages?  (Accessed 25 July, 1998) This student at University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, gives several good reasons why accessibility is important.  Web pages should be written for a wide range of browsers and equipment in order to reach not only the visually handicapped population, but also those with less popular browsers or slower equipment, those employing auditory Web readers for use in cars or on the telephone, and indexing search engines that are text readers.   Available from http://www.htmlhelp.com/design/accessibility/why.html; Internet.
 
 
Starling Access Services Services, 140 Lincoln Heights Road, Suite 200, Ottawa, Ontario K2B 8A6.  Accessible Web Page Design.  (Accessed 26 July 1998)  Starling does Web page design and consulting services, selling the ideas of accessibility as good business.  This bilingual site has good design tips and links to information about assistive devices.  Most recent update Jan. 98.  Most recent change of content July 1997. Available from http://www.starlingweb.com/acc/actoc.htm; Internet.
 

WDG Web Design Group Web Authoring Reference.  (Accessed 26 July, 1998) The Web Design Group is made up of individual experienced HTML authors who banded together to provide guidance and instruction to others.  It was was founded to promote the creation of non-browser specific, non-resolution specific, creative and informative sites that are accessible to all users worldwide. See the standards for HTML authoring and the guide to accessibility.  Available from http://www.htmlhelp.com/; Internet.

Return to  home page