Discussed in this podcast (23 mins):
What is 508?
How does this impact us as Instructional Designers and Web Developers?
What resources are there to ensure 508 compliancy?
Cheryl Johnson is a Performance Solutions Specialist and founder of RWL Tech, with ten years of experience in learning, development, and performance. With a pioneering attitude, she has made strong contributions in the areas of learning with emphasis on behavioral change.
She is recognized for innovating and building programs from scratch and pioneering the use of technology in education. She is currently engaged in the design and development of virtual-world training solutions using an artificial intelligence engine to provide individualized custom training solutions. She was also recognized for her dedication to developing learning solutions that drive performance at work and in one’s personal life.
Working with an associate, she developed a powerful interactive patented online training solution for voice recognition technology before online learning was considered effective. Her unique value is the ability to identify needs, address gaps, and develop long-term strategies to influence positive change. The keys to her effectiveness are a true passion for learning, strategic thinking patterns, and a desire to facilitate self-discovery.
Whether it is through staff development, training, teaching, learning, or evaluating, she firmly believes
that setting goals, learning, and creativity are the essential ingredients to personal empowerment, growth, and ultimately, success.
Contact Cheryl Johnson by telephone at 703.380.1094
Overview
Defined: “Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. “
Checkpoints
• Standard 1194.22 – 16 checkpoints
• (a) Text Tags
• (b) Multimedia Presentations
• (c) Color
• (d) Readability
• (e) Server-Side Image Maps
• (f) Client-Side Image Maps
• (g)&(h) Data Table
• (i) Frames
• (j) Flicker Rate
• (k) Text-Only Alternative
• (l) Scripts
• (m) Applets and Plug-Ins
• (n) Electronic Forms
• (o) Navigation Links
• (p) Time Delays
• Additional e-learning considerations -
• Tab Order
• Focus
• Feedback
• Any type of player has accessible feedback controls
World Wide Consortiums Priorities
W3C is a worldwide organization dedicated to making information accessible.
Each of these 16 checkpoints has a priority level assigned by the Working Group based on the checkpoint’s impact on accessibility.
• [Priority 1]
– A Web content developer must satisfy this checkpoint. Otherwise, one or more groups will find it impossible to access information in the document. Satisfying this checkpoint is a basic requirement for some groups to be able to use Web documents.
• [Priority 2]
– A Web content developer should satisfy this checkpoint. Otherwise, one or more groups will find it difficult to access information in the document. Satisfying this checkpoint will remove significant barriers to accessing Web documents.
• [Priority 3]
– A Web content developer may address this checkpoint. Otherwise, one or more groups will find it somewhat difficult to access information in the document. Satisfying this checkpoint will improve access to Web documents.
Some checkpoints specify a priority level that may change under certain (indicated) conditions.
Useful Links:
http://www.webaim.org/resources/
http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent
http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/
http://www.adobe.com/accessibility/products/flash/author.html

