Understanding Software Accessibility

The Need for Accessible Software

54 million people with disabilities in the United States

Aging Temporary disabilities Circumstances Good business It is the law

What Is Section 508?

History Access Board – EITAAC Electronic and Information

Technology Develop, Procure, Maintain or Use Access for Employees and Public

Section 508 Continued

Undue Burden “significant difficulty or expense”

June 21, 2001

Barriers

Blindness Low vision Mobility disabilities Hearing disabilities Seizure disorders

Visual Impairments

Dimness Haziness Extreme far/near sightedness Color blindness Tunnel vision Total Blindness

Mobility Impairments

Arthritis Stroke Cerebral Palsy Parkinson's Disease Loss of limbs or digits Spinal Cord Injuries Repetitive Stress Injury

Hearing Impairments

Partial Hearing Loss High/low Frequency Loss Total Deafness

Cognitive Impairments

Dyslexia Memory loss Problem Solving Comprehension

Assistive Technologies

Screen readers Screen enlargers Voice input aids On-screen keyboards Alternate input devices OS accessibility features

Demonstrations

Assistive Technology

Basic Principles

Flexibility Input methods Output methods Consistency Compatibility

Section 508

Technical Software Standards

Section 508 Software Technical Standards Keyboard equivalents for mouse actions

sample Support accessibility features sample On screen focus and tracking sample Images properties (identity, role & location)

Consistency of bitmap control elements Text information and properties

508 Standards Cont.

Contrast and Color sample Animation Color-coding Color and contrast variety options Flashing or blinking text, objects, etc Electronic forms 

Keyboard Navigation

 

On Screen Focus Indication

Many accessibility aids need to identify the location of the keyboard focus.

Access Features

Documentation

Alternate Formats Accessibility or compatibility features Support Services and Help Desks

Case Study

Accessible Software

Versus

Not Accessible Software

Resources

TRACE (www.trace.wisc.edu) DOJ (www.usdoj.gov/crt/508/508home.html) ED (www.gcs.ed.gov/coninfo/clibrary/software.htm)

IBM (www-3.ibm.com/able) SUN (www.sun.com/tech/access) Access Board Final Rule

(www.access-board.gov/news/508-final.htm)