Technology Accessibility New Regulations, New Reporting

Technology Accessibility Technology is everywhere! Ensure that people with disabilities can use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) With or without assistive technology Account for different interactions with technology

Section 508 Part of Federal Rehabilitation Act Information and Communication Technology (ICT) procurement policy Directly applies to federal government and contractors Applies to state governments that receive funding through Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 Foundation for several state laws and policies

What’s This Refresh? Started in 2006 by U.S. Access Board Goals Update technical standards Clarify regulation and applicability

What’s Going On? Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in February (Probably) final draft of refreshed Section 508 ( standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/news- release)(Probably) final draft of refreshed Section 508 Public comment period closed May 28 Expect new Rule late summer/fall Implementation period to follow

WHAT IS IN THE REFRESHED RULE? Some New, Some Old

New Standards! Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA included by reference No more US-only standards PDF/UA-1 included by reference Specific to PDF documents

Specific Applicability! Web Installed software, operating systems Mobile Non-web ICT Digital documents like Word, PDF, PowerPoint (more later…) Hardware Closed systems, like information kiosks Agency Official Communications

Functional Performance Criteria Reminder that standards are about people Without vision With limited vision Without perception of color Without hearing With limited hearing Without speech With limited manipulation With limited reach and strength

Closed Products Cannot add or attach assistive technology Kiosks, self-service machines Speech output Volume control Character specifications Sans serif font, for example

Additional Considerations Biometrics Standard connections for assistive technology Operable parts Keyboard keys with contrasting letters One “tactilely discernable” input control Nib on a keyboard Real-time speech must provide real time text Must support audio descriptions

IS THIS AN IMPROVEMENT Preview Answer: Yes!

WCAG 2.0, Level AA More modern and flexible Harmony Referenced, not incorporated into draft

1998 WCAG 1, more focused on specific technology Star Trek: The Next Generation on TV in first run Desktop computers Mainframes Huge floppy disks

2015 WCAG 2, more focused on function Desktops Laptops Tablets Smartphones Phablets JavaScript

Challenges, New and Old Little focus on people with cognitive disabilities, low vision Inherited from WCAG Multimedia accessibility Adjustment for those that work with current 508

MORE CHANGES Performance Measure Data, Accessibility, and You

New Reporting Requirements ICT accessibility as a Performance Measure Focus on training outcomes from participants Policy, procedure, or practice improvement Training or technical assistance development Unknown

Opportunities Create more technology accessibility awareness Increase skills and understanding Ours and our audiences’ Help our states to meet obligations Americans with Disabilities Act Federal Rehabilitation Act State statutes

Challenges We’re awesome at AT, but this accessibility thing? Where to start? Where to go? How do we build this expertise?

You Are Not Alone! ATAP training you to train Webinar series of the past Monthly Focus on introduction, accessibility in Word, PowerPoint, and multimedia Webinar series of the future…

What topics will help you? What will motivate you to participate? What formats work best? How much notice do you need?

Rough Ideas Every other month Survey or surveys to see what will help Regular schedule Variety of topics under ICT accessibility umbrella Testing Standards Organizational implementation

Questions? Rob Carr, Accessibility Coordinator Oklahoma ABLE Tech Oklahoma State on Twitter