Web Accessibility Resources

• Testing
• Tools
• Laws
• Resources

Testing Your Web Site for Accessibility:

Bobby
Bobby is a Web-based public service offered by the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) that analyzes Web pages for their accessibility to people with disabilities as well as their compatibility with various browsers.

The WAVE -- Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology
A tool helps you determine your page's accessibility by presenting the "linearized" reading order, ALT text for images -- and image map areas -- and the applet alternatives.

W3C http://validator.w3.org
This service checks HTML documents for conformance to W3C HTML and XHTML recommendations and other HTML standards.

Lynx Viewer
This service allows you to see what your pages will look like when viewed with Lynx, a text-mode Web browser.

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 Tools

Jaws for Windows from Henter-Joyce
Screen reader software that allows those who are blind or visually impaired to use the Web and other software applications.

Homepage Reader 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.

Information on Laws Pertaining to Web Accessibility

U.S. Department of Justice, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards from Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973 

Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI) Disability Law Related to Information Technology site.

Resources:

Austin Peay State University Web Accessibility Guidelines

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. WAI is currently drafting Accessibility Guidelines for Web Authors

Equal Access to Software and Information
This site contains links to accessibility-related Web sites and other resources. Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI) also offers workshops on accessible Web design, publishes an electronic journal (Information Technology and Disabilities) and sponsors related listservs.

IBM Web Accessibility Center
Features an accessibility checklist and information on each guideline.

Microsoft Accessibility Technology for Everyone
This site explains the importance of accessible Web sites and provides resources including guidelines, tools, a checklist and examples of accessible sites.

access.adobe.com
This web site provides tools and resources to help people with visual disabilities access information in Adobe® PDF.

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.

WebABLE
Web site for disability-related internet resources, including a database for resources related to disabilities and accessibility.

Accessible Web Page Design
Resources that may be helpful in creating accessible Web pages.

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.

Safe Web Colours for Colour-Deficient Vision
Discusses colorblindness and provides color palettes that simulate various forms of colorblindness.

Colorfield
Shows images filtered using the Colorfield™ Insight plug-in to simulate various types of colorblindness.

WebTV Viewer
The WebTV Viewer simulates WebTV on your personal computer. Download either Windows or Mac free software, which creates the simulation.

Browsers that talk to you
Article discussing talking browsers WeMedia and Fast Browser.

WeMedia Browser
Talking browser designed to help people with low vision and some learning disabilities use the Internet more easily.

Fast Browser
Talking browser that adds voice-synthesizing software to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (Windows only) — creating spoken-word Web pages.

Design Advice for Specific Impairments:

Blindness Resource Center
A list of resources on the blind, including sources on Web access. An alternate large font page is provided.

Discussion Groups and Listservs:

AXSLIB-L
A discussion list on the problems and opportunities for libraries to become more accessible for persons with disabilities. To subscribe, send email to: listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
with the message: sub axslib-l Firstname Lastname The AXSLIB-L Archives are also available.

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 The EASI Archives are also available.

Journal Articles:

Open Studio, The Arts Online Digital Canvas Magazine: "Building an Accessible World Wide Web" (May 1999). Also includes information on federal policies.