Here is some information that we think is really good news. You might want to
post it to other lists.
Dr Clyde Shideler
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Subject: US DOJ Opinion on Web Accessibility
To: [log in to unmask]
>
>For you U.S. folks, and others interested in policy issues related to Web
>accessibility, here is an interesting opinion from the U.S. Department of
>Justice. The opinion was written a year ago and just published recently in
>the (U.S.) National Disability Law Reporter, Volume 10 Issue 6.
>
>- Judy Brewer
>
>----
>Posted in the National Disability Law Reporter, Vol. 10, Iss. 6, par. 240
>September 11, 1997 1053-1084/97
>
>The Honorable Tom Harkin
>United States Senate
>Washington, DC 20510-1502
>
>Digest of Inquiry
>(July 31, 1996)
>
>To what extent does the ADA require that Internet web pages be accessible
>to people with visual disabilities?
>
>Digest of Response
>(September 9, 1996)
>
>ADA Accessibility Requirements Apply to Internet Web Pages
>
>Entities to Title II or III of the ADA must provide effective communication
>to individuals with disabilities, and covered entities that use the
>Internet to provide information regarding their programs, goods or services
>must be prepared to offer those communications through accessible means.
>Such entities may provide web page information in text format that is
>accessible to screen reading devices that are used by people with visual
>impairments, and they may also offer alternative accessible formats that
>are identified in a screen-readable format on a web page.
>
>-----
>
>Text of Inquiry
>
>I have recently been contacted by one of my constituents who has a concern
>over the administration's policy on making Web pages compatible for the
>disabled. I respectfully ask you to review the administration's policy on
>this issue and send me a clarification so that I might be able to respond
>to my constituent's questions. It would be helpful if you could mark your
>correspondence with my office to the attention of Laura Stuber.
>
>Thank you in advance for your assistance on this matter.
>
>Text of Response
>
>I am responding to your letter on behalf of your constituent, [],
>regarding accessibility of "web pages" on the Internet to people with
>visual disabilities.
>
>The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires State and local
>governments and places of public accommodation to furnish appropriate
>auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure effect communication
>with individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would result in a
>fundamental alteration to the program or service or in an undue burden. 28
>C.F.R. Sec. 36.303; 28 C.F.R. Sec. 35.160. Auxiliary aids include taped
>texts, Brailled materials, large print materials, and other methods of
>making visually delivered material available to people with visual
>impairments.
>
>Covered entities under the ADA are required to provide effective
>communication, regardless of whether they generally communicate through
>print media, audio media, or computerized media such as the Internet.
>Covered entities that use the Internet for communications regarding their
>programs, goods, or services must be prepared to offer those communications
>through accessible means as well.
>
>Mr. [] suggests compatibility with the Lynx browser as a means of assuring
>accessibility of the Internet. Lynx is, however, only one of many
>available options. Other examples include providing the web page
>information in text format, rather then exclusively in graphic format.
>Such text is accessible to screen reading devices used by people with
>visual impairments. Instead of providing full accessibility through the
>Internet directly, covered entities may also offer other alternate
>accessible formats, such as Braille, large print, and/or audio materials,
>to communicate the information contained in web pages to people with visual
>impairments. The availability of such materials should be noted in a text
>(i.e., screen-readable) format on the web page, along with instructions for
>obtaining the materials, so that people with disabilities using the
>Internet will know how to obtain the accessible formats.
>
>cc: Records, Chrono, Wodtach, McDowdeny, Hill, FOIA
>n:
>udd
>hille
>policylt
>harkin.ltr
>sc. young-parran
>
>The Internet is an excellent source of information and, of course, people
>with disabilities should have access to it as effectively as people without
>disabilities. A number of web sites provide information about
>accessibility of web pages, including information about new developments
>and guidelines for development of accessible web pages. Examples include:
>
>http://www.gsa.gov/coca/wwwcode.htm
>Center for Information Technology Accommodation
>General Services Administration
>
>http://www.trace.wisc.edu/text/guidelns
>Trace Center, University of Wisconsin
>
>http://www.webable.com/index.html
>
>http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/dmd/access/welcomi.htm
>
>These sites may be useful to you or your constituent in exploring the
>accessibility options on the Internet. In addition, the Department of
>Justice has established an ADA home page to educate people about their
>rights and responsibilities under the ADA and about the Department's
>efforts to implement the ADA. The address of the ADA home page is
>http://www/usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahomi.htm.
>
>I hope this information is helpful to you in responding to your constituent.
>
>Deval L. Patrick
>Assistant Attorney General
>Civil Rights Division
>
>
>
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