Michigan's Assistive Technology Program
Assistive Technology Connections
Vol. 7, No. 1, February 2006
In This Issue: Accessible Websites
- Calendar
- RFP for AT Local Projects Due Feb 10, 2006
- Why Web Access is Important
- Resources on Why Web Access is Important
- Resources on How to Design Accessible Pages
- Subscription Information
Calendar:
- February 1 - 28 Mediating Assistive Technology Issues:
Family Center on Technology & Disability online discussion of mediating AT issues. Join the discussion at www.fctd.info. Transcripts available: http://www.fctd.info/reviews/reports/webboardTranscript.php?id=489. - On-line class: Barrier-free E-learning Starts February 6, 2006 http://easi.cc/workshops/bfel.htm.
- March 2, 2006 at 6:30 pm at Andiamo's Banquet Center in Warren (14 Mile & Van Dyke) Premiere of a new documentary called Untold Dreams: The Cheryl Angelelli Story. The film chronicles Cheryl's life to her journey to the Paralympic Games and the pursuit of her dream. Tickets are $10 for adults and children 6-12 are $5. All ticket proceeds will be donated to the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan and the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame. Seating is limited. To purchase tickets, call Laprissa "Pri" Austin (313) 745-9817. For more information about the film, please visit www.untolddreams.net
- March 25 2006 Walk-N-Roll sponsored by CACIL, MACIL, MDRC, and SILC, 1:00-3:30 p.m. Holt High School Gymnasium Contact Trisha at 517-371-4872 or email trisha@misilc.org.
- March 23-24 Michigan's Long-Term Care Conference Hilton Detroit, Troy. Visit www.michigan.gov/mdch for more information (Will have AT displays available.)
- March 20-25, 2006 Los Angeles, Northridge Center on Disabilities' 21st Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference http://www.csun.edu/cod/.
- April 28-29 Michigan Hear Here 2006 Conference and Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids Contact expo@mi-shhh.org or info@mi-shhh.org or visit www.mi-shhh.org for more information.
Request for Proposals from Local Organizations:
The Assistive Technology Program has issued a request for Proposals (RFP) to projects to provide AT Demonstrations, Public Awareness and Training. Call Kathryn Wyeth for more information at (800) 760-4600 ext. 35. Proposals are due February 10, 2006. The application can be downloaded from http://www.copower.org/At/index.htm.
Why Web Accessibility is Important:
The Web is an increasingly important resource in many aspects of life. It is essential that the Web be accessible in order to provide equal access and equal opportunity to people with disabilities. An accessible Web can also help people with disabilities more actively participate in society. Accessibility barriers to print, audio, and visual media can be much more easily overcome through Web technologies. Web accessibility also benefits people without disabilities. For example, a key principle of Web accessibility is designing Web sites and software that are flexible to meet different user needs, preferences, and situations.
Back to In this Issue .
Resources on Why to Make Accessible Pages:
- Developing a Web Accessibility Business Case for Your Organization:
http://www.w3.org/WAI/bcase/Overview - Video: Keeping Web Accessibility in Mind: Gain an appreciation of Web accessibility by understanding the user perspective. This 11.5 minute video provides an excellent overview of the difficulties user's with disabilities face on the Web and some of the motivations for Web accessibility. http://www.webaim.org/info/asdvideo/ .
- Why Accessibility? Motivating Learners To Bring About Change http://www.webaim.org/training/motivate/.
- Why Make Web Sites Universally Accessible? http://www.mardiros.net/univ-accessible.html .
Resources for How to Design Accessible Webs:
There is a wealth of information available on the web, the following is a brief sampling of these resources.
- Ten Tips for Designing Accessible Web Pages: http://www.w3.org/WAI/References/QuickTips/.
- A review of free web site accessibility tools: http://www.webaim.org/techniques/articles/freetools/ .
- For examples of accessible pages: http://www.gawds.org/ .
- Do accessible web pages have to be boring? http://www.webaim.org/techniques/articles/boring
- On-line book: "Building Accessible Websites": http://joeclark.org/book/sashay/serialization/
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