1. Mark Hale and Todd Weissenberger SCIT 6/20/2013
Accessibility Update
Mark Hale and Todd Weissenberger
SCIT
6/20/2013
Accessibility Update
Mark Hale and Todd Weissenberger
SCIT
6/20/2013
We’re back again. We last spoke to this group about accessibility in November, 2011.

2. Agenda Pick two by show of hands (20 minutes each)
HTML / CSS Accessibility
Accessible Documents
Accessible PDFs
PDF special issues (forms, remediation)
Policy and Compliance (5 minutes)
Media Captioning (40 minutes)
Q&A
You pick two by show of hands (20 minutes each)
HTML / CSS Accessibility
Accessible Documents
Accessible PDFs
PDF special issues (forms, remediation)
These are mandatory
Policy and Compliance (5 minutes)
Media Captioning (40 minutes)
Q&A
The survey was inconclusive – all of the pick-two topics were tied. Media Captioning was the most requested, so we’re definitely doing that. A policy and compliance reminder is also required.

3. Accessibility, Policy and Compliance
Accessibility in a nutshell:
P - Perceivable
O - Operable
U - Understandable
R – Robust
Improved Access for All
Mandated by federal law and regulations
Mandated by UI Web Policy
Accessibility, Policy and Compliance
Accessibility in a nutshell:
P - Perceivable
O - Operable
U - Understandable
R – Robust
Improved Access for All
Mandated by federal law and regulations
Mandated by UI Web Policy
The handout, What is Accessible ICT? Is a slightly broader view, following federal government directions. The P. O. U. R. principles originally stated for the web can be generalized to all IT.
Like the changes in building constructional that followed the ADA, the goal is Improved Access for All.
Accessibility requirements are firmly rooted in federal law and university policies. There is a movement towards explicitly including IT under the ADA.
The Department of Justice and the Department of Education have given the direction: “It is unacceptable for universities to use emerging technology without insisting that this technology be accessible to all students.” (Kindle letter, June 2011)

4. UI Web Policy Effective November, 2011
Units should assess, plan, progress
What to address
As required for accommodation requests
Focus on 20% most active assets, especially those required for full participation
W3C WCAG 2.0 is technical standard
UI Web Policy
Effective November, 2011
Units should assess, plan, progress
What to address
As required for accommodation requests
Focus on 20% most active assets, especially those required for full participation
W3C WCAG 2.0 is technical standard
Accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities are required under existing federal laws and university policy.
The person requesting an accommodation must apply to SDS or FSDS, as appropriate.
The goal of the policy is to create a web presence which is accessible enough so that accommodations aren’t needed.
Google “W3C WCAG 2.0” to see the official technical standards. The University policy is posted at the URL

5. Compliance
Compliance is an important focus of Iowa government and the Board of Regents
You are complying if you’ve
Assessed
Planned
Started
Making measureable progress
Compliance
Compliance is an important focus of Iowa government and the Board of Regents
You are complying if you’ve
Assessed
Planned
Started
Making measureable progress
Compliance matters: the legislature and thus the Board have been increasingly interested in how well we are complying with our stated policies. This has led to audits in various policy areas, e.g. policies on computer security, cash and credit card handling, and disabilities.
If you’re doing these things, you’re compliant – the question is how fast is the progress.
This is not a one-step or five year project with an end. It is a different way of doing business. We say it’s gardening, not construction.

6. You might be non-compliant if you …
Don’t know about the policy
Don’t know what accessibility means
Don’t know how to deal with accommodations
Don’t have tools to create accessible assets
Don’t have skills to create accessible assets
Don’t have a plan
Don’t have priorities
Don’t have the intent
With a nod to Jeff Foxworthy, I offer these observations:
Don’t know about the policy -- but now you know
Don’t know what accessibility means – go to an Accessibility 101 class offered by Todd, or the online training at webaim.org
Don’t know how to deal with accommodations – this is important because accommodations often have a short timeline
Don’t have tools to create accessible assets – we’re talking Office and Adobe, all site licensed, and some other free or cheap software
Don’t have skills to create accessible assets – Lynda, Todd and I can help (Lynda.uiowa.edu for Office and some web topics)
Don’t have a plan – If you need help, call us
Don’t have priorities – part of planning, and is sure to raise questions with your management
Don’t have the intent – this is the only inexcusable form of non-compliance.