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Roles and Responsibilities: How can you be responsible for Accessibility?

Kara Zirkle and Liz Miller, George Mason University - Assistive Technology Initiative (ATI)

Kara Zirkle, IT Accessibility Coordinator

Liz Miller, Accessible Media Coordinator

A Collaborative Project…A Collaborative Project…

ATI Services…ATI Services…

Informal Assistive

Technology Assessments

Provision of Accessible

Text Services

Assistive Technology

Labs

Technical Assistance for ITU and

Library personnel

on AT-related issues

Section 508/Web

Accessibility Training and

Support

Events Change, Events Change, People TransitionPeople Transition

The issue is not so much “change” as it is “transition”

To be a positive force, change must involve transition

Understanding the human side of change is vital

The process is more about helping people move and grow than altering events

4

W. Bridges (1993, 2003); B. Ehren (2005)

Considerations in Transition . . . Legal Rights & Responsibilities Strategic Planning Training Campus Resources Advocacy and Support Technology and Universal Design

Things to consider throughout the presentation based upon your role ..

Law Applies to Mandates Section 504 Federal, State and

Local government, Educational agencies, Companies (Corporate – Private), any facility receiving Federal funds

No otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of his/ her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of a public entity.

Section 508 Federal entities and States that have adopted similar regulations

Requires that any electronic and information technology (EIT) procured, developed, used or maintained by Federal agencies must be accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. Section 508 was enacted to: 1) eliminate barriers in information technology, 2) make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and 3) encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals.

Rehabilitation Act Rehabilitation Act

1194.21 Software Applications and Operating Systems

1194.22 Web-Based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications

1194.23 Telecommunications Products (If it is a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) or software then it may also include 1194.21 and/or 1194.22)

1194.24 Video and Multimedia Products (If implemented on the web will also require 1194.22)

What is included in What is included in Section 508? Section 508?

… …. Electronic and Information Technology. Electronic and Information Technology

1194.25 Self Contained and Closed Products (Ex: Copiers, Fax and Kiosks)

1194.26 Desktop and Portable Computers

1194.31 Functional Performance Criteria (Must be accessible with assistive technology)

1194.41 Information, Documentation and Support (Must also be accessible)

**Section 508 only applies tovisual, hearing and mobility impairments**

508 Continued …..

It depends on the Author/Developer

What could I be What could I be responsible for?responsible for?

• Websites• Online Documents• Videos (both online and played in class)• Telecommunication• Applications (used in the classroom setting, taught and/or purchased applications)•Printers (Pay for Print), Kiosks•IT web and application development services

What happens if the author/developer is external to the

University?

1. Does the University or Agency fall under Section 508 or W3C regulations? (Some states are beginning to adopt similar regulations to the federal Government. See where you stand: http://accessibility.gtri.gatech.edu/sitid/stateLawAtGlance.php.)

2. Is there mention of accessibility in the contract/RFP or service? (NOTE: The state does not have to have regulations adopted in order for accessibility language to be included)

Things to ask yourself or know about your University or College …

How Mason is involved

Virginia has state-specific laws governing the accessibility of government created and procured technology (Code of Virginia § 2.2-2012 "Procurement of Information Technology", Code of Virginia § 2.2-3500 "Information Technology Access Act", Code of Virginia § 51.5-1 "Virginians with Disabilities Act"). These have been put into state-wide standards for Universities and agencies, which can be found on the VITA website: http://www.vita.virginia.gov/library/default.aspx?id=663

Mason Policy Examples

We've added web accessibility/Section 508 into the Architecture Standards Committee: http://ascreview.gmu.edu/ which drafted Policy 1307, where any technology or development of technology over the cost of $2K is supposed to be submitted for review by the board.

The University Information Technology Accessibility Policy 1308 is specific to web accessibility. 

Recently – by working with the Web Team we have also drafted policy that will later include any technology or development of technology below the cost of $2K to be submitted for review by the team in which accessibility is included.

To view Policies please visit: http://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/

Does the University or agency fall under Section 508 or W3C

regulations?

Rather the accommodations need to be worked out with the Office of Disability Services or American with Disabilities Act Office.

For example: If an individual with a disability is required to use an inaccessible technology in order to complete desired work, an accommodation must be made.

This could be anything from a visually impaired students using an inaccessible software for Distant Education classes, to an IT class learning how to use wikis and requiring students to use 1 of 3, none of which are accessible rather than allowing the student to choose an accessible version of their choice.

All rules and regulations from Section 504 now apply.

A PERFECT example: National Federation of the Blind files Complaint against Penn State, November 2010 resolved Oct. 2011

If the state has not yet adopted accessibility regulations, it does not mean you’re off the hook!

Does the University or agency fall under Section 508 or W3C

regulations?

When were the regulations put in place? (Is there a timeline for accessibility changes to be made?)

When were products purchased before or after regulations were in place and what can you do about it?

Do you know about resources available on your campus or if other offices/departments are working towards accessibility?

What additional rights do the students have if technology isn’t accessible?

Is there contract language in place stating that the developer/vendor must meet standards and regulations?

Is there policy stating new standards and regulations are in place and must be met? If so, were they referenced?

Things to think about if the state has adopted accessibility regulations ………….

Review the contract – is there any mention of accessibility? Try contacting the company and asking if they know what accessibility and

compliance standards are. (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template - VPAT) Example statement: “If you work with us now to make the necessary changes, it

will help beat competition later because standards are met.” Work with other Universities, Agencies or like companies and form user groups

to keep a list of problems and contact the vendor as a group. Power in Numbers! Are you or your college a member of EduCause? If so join the ITACCESS

Group: http://www.educause.edu/groups/itaccess

What do you do if you’re looking to purchase or use a 3rd party application or website?

Now to internal responsibility Teaching Faculty and Staff Administration Offices IT Professionals

Managers Developers

Procurement/Purchasing

Internal Responsibility

Administration – It is easier when Administration – It is easier when it starts from the top downit starts from the top down

President’s Office Provost’s Office Senior Vice President’s Office Deans and Directors President’s Council Admissions and Registrars Human Resources and Payroll University Relations/Policy Fiscal Services

EVERYONE is involved and ANYONE can be effected!

Most common barriers:

University wide Applications HR paperwork and application Admissions applications and paperwork Procurement/Contract language Overall Higher Administration Support Department/Organizational Websites

Roles and Responsibilities: How are you involved with accessibility?

Roles and Responsibilities: How are you involved with accessibility?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you may be …..

• Posting,• Distributing,• Creating/Developing,• Using,• Maintaining ……

Inaccessible material!!

Roles and Responsibilities: How are you involved with accessibility?

If you answered “No” to any of these questions, you may be allowing inaccessible products to be …..

• Purchased,• Developed,• Maintained,• Used ……

By individuals with disabilities

Web Accessibility

Examples of design requirements for people with different kinds of disabilities include:

Visual: described graphics or video; well marked-up tables or frames; keyboard support, screen reader compatibility;

Hearing: captioning for audio, supplemental illustration;

Physical, Speech: keyboard or single-switch support; alternatives for speech input on voice portals;

Cognitive, Neurological: consistent navigation, tab order, appropriate language level; illustration; no flickering or strobing designs.

Impacts of the Web on Disabilities

The Web has become a key resource for: classroom education, distance learning, job searching, workplace interaction, civic participation, government services, news, information, commerce, entertainment,

It is displacing traditional sources of information and interaction -- schools, libraries, print materials, discourse of the workplace; some of the traditional resources were accessible; some not.

An accessible Web means unprecedented access to information for people with disabilities.

Impacts of the web on accessibility

How to Ensure Accessibility and How to Ensure Accessibility and ComplianceCompliance

Administration, Purchasing/Procurement, Program Managers and IT

Building the accessibility requirements early into the project

GSA Buy Accessible Wizardhttp://www.buyaccessible.gov/

Section 508/Accessibility Trainings

Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)

Policy or other documentation providing Accessibility requirements.

• Illinois Accessible Web Publishing Wizard for Microsoft Office

• Adobe Professional v. 8.0 or higher

• NetCentric

• CommonLook Section 508 Adobe Plug-In

• PDF Accessibility Wizard (PAW)

• DeQue – WorldSpace, Ramp and UnDoc

• HiSoftware – AccMonitor Accessibility Module

• SSBBartGroup – Accessibility Management Platform

• CourseAvenue

Accessibility ToolsAccessibility Tools

For Faculty/Staff, Developers, Webmasters and Content Reviewers

Multimedia, Radio and Television Multimedia, Radio and Television Faculty/Staff and StudentsFaculty/Staff and Students

Free Captioning ToolsFree Captioning Tools Cost Captioning ToolsCost Captioning Tools

•MAGpie•Subtitle Workshop•Captionate (For Flash)•World Caption (Mac)•CapScribe (Mac)•dotSub•SubTitle Horse•CaptionTube•Overstream•vSync Bookmarklet•Easy YouTube Caption Creator

•DocSoft•AutomaticSync•Dragon Naturally Speaking•MovCaptioner (Mac)

Audio Description

•Avoid the need for audio description where possible, by assuring that all important information is communicated visually and audibly.

•Adding more descriptive text into your monologue helps to not require audio description.

Free Web Accessibility Free Web Accessibility Tools and ValidatorsTools and Validators

• Web Accessibility Toolbar

• WAVE (This also comes as a Firefox Extention)

• Deque WorldSpace

• Functional Accessibility Evaluator (FAE)

• HiSoftware Cynthia Says

• Total Validator

• Paciello Group WAT

• Web Accessibility Inspector

Universal DesignUniversal Design

Universal Design – Universal Design – Everyone BenefitsEveryone Benefits

Accessible Web design contributes to better design for other users: Multi-modality (support for visual, auditory, tactile access) benefits users of:

mobile phones with small display screens, Web-TV, kiosks. Multi-modality increases usability of Web sites in different situations:

low bandwidth (images are slow to download); noisy environments (difficult to hear the audio); screen-glare (difficult to see the screen); driving (eyes and hands are "busy").

Redundant text/audio/video can support: different learning styles; low literacy levels; second-language access.

Style sheets can support: more efficient page transmission and site maintenance.

Captioning of audio files supports: better machine indexing of content; faster searching of content.

Universal Design Universal Design TechniquesTechniques

PhysicalPhysical TechnologicalTechnologicalRamps Ergonomic Mice & Keyboards

Automatic Doors Larger Computer Monitors (21” +)

Ergonomic Workstations Accessible Telephones

Door/Sink Handles Accessible Websites

Interior Design Transcripts

Accessible ATMs/Vending Machines Closed Captions

Adjustable Chairs Accessible Printers/Copiers

Literature Available in Alternative Formats

Bundled Software

Light Switches Accessible Documents, Fillable Forms

Universal DesignUniversal Design

Built-in tools – PC & Mac, Firefox Browser

Audio Books & e-Books Bundled tools – Premier

& TextHelp Livescribe Pulse Pen Inspiration –

Webspiration Docsoft Web

Built-in toolsBuilt-in tools

PC Keyboard shortcuts Magnifier Contrast settings Narrator On screen keyboard Mouse keys, filter keys, sticky keys Dictionary, thesaurus, spelling

/grammar check Ease of Access Center Speech recognition Text size Touch

Mac Keyboard shortcuts Magnification Contrast settings VoiceOver Mouse Keys, Slow Keys, Sticky

Keys Text to speech Talking calculator & clock On screen keyboard Inkwell Dictionary, thesaurus, spelling

/grammar check, word completion Speech recognition

Firefox

Some accessibility features are dependent on the version of Firefox

Free accessibility add-ons Firefox Accessibility Extension Glazoom – magnifier No color N-Abled Web Accessibility Toolbar Page Zoom Buttons

Extensions for Firefox: Fire Vox – screen reader MozBraille – screen reader (beta at

present, not yet fully accessible – plans to offer Braille, text to speech and magnified output)

Image from - http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/

Adobe Reader & Acrobat “Read Out Loud”

Bundled toolsBundled tools

TextHelp Read & Write PC and Mac versions Reading and writing tools Helpful for ESL MP3 creation Voice recognition Research tools Inspiration-like tool DAISY Reader

Livescribe Pulse PenLivescribe Pulse Pen

Smartpen records and links audio to what you write, so you never miss a word during lectures or meetings.

Pen can be docked to computer and notes downloaded to computer (“LiveScribe Desktop”)

MyScript software converts handwritten notes into digital text

2 GB, 4GB and 8 GB models Paper can now be printed on

LaserJet printers Cost: $100 - $200 (2GB-8GB)

Photo taken from http://www.livescribe.com.

Inspiration – Mind MappingInspiration – Mind Mapping

Image from http://www.mywebspiration.com/examples

Docsoft – ATI’s Docsoft – ATI’s Captioning ProjectCaptioning Project

Closed captioning Transcription Synchronization

Hearing Impairments – access Comprehension, visual learners Those who have difficulty with note taking ESL

BeginningsBeginnings

Working closely with University libraries Distance Education Office of Disability

Services

Best practices for faculty & instructional designers:

Pick legal media Pick the most

accessible option first Provide supporting

materials Turn on Closed

Captions

ProcessProcess

(Vendors for video description)

Docsoft Docsoft:AV Docsoft:TE

Proofing & troubleshooting

Online request system Research

Library & copyright info Online searches

NCH software Prism Video File Converter SoundTap Streaming Audio

Recorder Debut Video Capture Golden Videos Flash Lynx Video Download

Software Professional

DeliveryDelivery

Links to captioned videos – using a third-party web hosting server

Folder with asx, smil, wmv and transcript files - SkyDrive, email, flashdrives, or DVDs

Issues with Windows Media, QuickTime, Flash servers

Consistency Files not able to be

housed in the same location

Still working on solution for Macs

ProgressProgress

Accommodations Pilot project – Summer

2011/Fall 2011 Training with 2 graduate

student assistants 1 Instructional Designer

for Distance Education YouTube Recordings from our TV

station Other

iTunes U Promotional materials

on Mason website, YouTube & Vimeo

Distance Education

Issues: Video Description Delivery of projects Copyrighted materials –

especially large files Timing and clean up

Universal DesignUniversal Designis also aboutis also about

Learning & Teaching Styles Awareness & Attitudes

Equitable use Flexibility in use Simple and intuitive Perceptible information Tolerance for error Low physical effort Size and space for approach and use

Assistive Technology InitiativeWeb and Software Accessibility and other E&IT:

Kara Zirkle, IT Accessibility Coordinator, phone:703-993-9815 or kzirkle1@gmu.edu

Accessible Media and Alternative Text (electronic, Braille, large print, etc.):

Liz Miller, Accessible Media Coordinator, phone: 703-993-4372 or emillerf@gmu.edu

George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MSN 6A11,

Aquia Building, Room 238, Fairfax, VA 22030

Phone: 703-993-4329 Fax: 703-993-4743 ati@gmu.edu Website: http://ati.gmu.edu

PowerPoint may be downloaded at: http://webaccessibility.gmu.edu/accessibility_training

QUESTIONS??