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ADA Compliance Issues:
2. What Do We Need To Do?

The attendees were also invited to add to their notes More Commentary about ADA Compliance Issues, which is reported separately from the outline of this page. The lists below focus only on responses to the second half of the Danger in the Construction Zone instructions.

2. To achieve resolution or greater understanding of ADA Compliance Issues,
   WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO IN THE SPACE OF ONE YEAR?

   Summary:

   • We need to make college web sites accessible using common web techniques and any new information we learn about the extent of accessibility requirements (to include reviews of questionable web resources and studies of web use).
   • We need to create a training program about how to make a web site accessible.
   • We need to develop a "toolkit" in order to assist web developers in easily making sites accessible; e.g. a web site specifically for the dissemination of guidelines and tools (including those for making "flashy" sites accessible) to assist in campus efforts towards accessibility.
   • We need to equip college facilities such as computer labs with hardware and software that assists the disabled in accessing the Web, and allocate funds for the necessary upgrades.

   Transcriptions of Conference Notes:

   • [Multiple] We need to make an effort to make all sites accessible / ADA compliant.
   • [Multiple] Get more information on ADA compliance and widely distribute the info / employees need to be aware of ADA issues.
   • [Multiple] Reallocate institutional resources to make web sites ADA compliant.
   • [Multiple] Training Services should have a class on ADA compliance and web design.
   • [Multiple] Develop college web content with links to high-end, high-bandwidth graphical options as well as low-bandwidth, plain-text versions to make both available.
   • [Multiple] Allot funding for new ADA-related hardware and software.
   • [Multiple] More access to computers available. Most/all campuses have computer labs that make them available to students. Teach web techs how to use these programs to add ADA requirements.
   • Recognize value of Web as a communication medium.
   • Need to provide services to meet mission and values -- diversity.
   • Choose software that makes web authoring for ADA compliance more seamless.
   • Audit the sites globally for ADA compliance.
   • Key seems to be careful page design to include alt tags, etc.
   • Our tech centers must be equipped with all the bells and whistles. District needs to have monies set aside specifically for each campus to be ADA compliant for ongoing hardware/software upgrades.
   • Accessibility - we provide basic information needed by all students. Versions of web pages. Public institution - we provide a service to all people. Post tutorial for people to access when developing. Special Services review?
   • Once learned, it is easy to implement. In the future, employees will grasp the concept, and make it a habit to make all web sites accessible to impaired people and low-end users.
   • Address Blackboard and Web CT non-compliance.
   • Use links to e-mail and special offers, disclaimers.
   • Look at market, identify bandwidth available to our potential customers and comply with the bandwidth restrictions which exist in our target market.
   • Implement ADA findings on pages and keep this issue as a priority during future page development.
   • Cascading style sheets as opposed to tables; then site will be ADA compliant. Test pages on lower end machine and browsers designed for ADA. Evaluate pages on Bobby (http://www.cast.org/bobby) to get feedback as to what can do to make pages accessible. Avoid Java.
   • For each image have alternative text version.
   • Develop control management team to advise and be able to keep up-to-date. Equilibrium between marketing value and ADA compliance/access.
   • Have or have nots. Low end browsers. Big gap between both links to graphics or basic. Build a gap to bridge for ADA students to receive computers and software. Discounts to students with needs.
   • ADA needs to be met by Special Services in compliance to the web site.
   • One year marketing survey of students attended by "flashy" web sites and how long they stay at an institution. If "flashiness" attracts them will content keep them?
   • We discussed that an approach be taken to provide alternative paths or parallel pages for ADA guidelines. The emerging technology and software can be used to solve the dilemma... To overcome the lowest common denominator of hardware and software, it may be most cost effective to buy the computer for the disabled student.
   • Ensure compatibility -- campus webmasters need to monitor. Establish compliance rules.
   • Server-side tools or college licenses. Support ColdFusion at all colleges.

Return to:
Introduction to ADA Compliance Issues
Danger in the Construction Zone Contents
WebDev 2000 Contents