Web+Accessibility+for+the+Disabled

The **[|Adaptive technology Resource Centre (ATRC)]** at the Faculty of Information Science (FIS) works to advance information technology that is accessible to all through the use of:


 * Research and Development
 * Education
 * Proactive Design Consultation
 * Direct Service


 * The Web as a Public Space
 * The web is becoming increasingly important tool for the marketplace, civic and learning transactions, and education.
 * [|Banking transactions, Investment]
 * [|E-Commerce]
 * [|Travel Reservations]
 * [|Government Information services]
 * [|Distance Education and Learning]

Fuller, Kathy P. "Access and Distance Learning." University of Toronto. CCT202 Lecture. University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga. 7 Nov. 2005.
 * When web space is designed to meet the needs of those with disabilities it provides many opportunities for the disabled in terms of:**
 * Work
 * Education
 * Socializing
 * Communicating
 * However...there are many reasons as to why corporations refuse to redesign their websites for the accessibility for the Disabled people:
 * "There are not very many people with disabilities"
 * None of our customers, students, employees, etc. have disabilities"
 * It is too much trouble"
 * It costs too much"
 * It makes things ugly"
 * This kind of thinking automatically leads to barriers such as:
 * Attitudinal
 * Legal
 * Physical
 * Technological
 * How many people have disabilites in Canada?
 * Data from the 1991 [|Federal Health and Activity Limitations Survey (HALS)] have estimated that about 16% of Ontarios Population have some type of disability, including-hearing, mobility, vision, speaking, mental or other disabilities at various times of their lives.
 * There are five high-level categories that most disabilites that impact Web access fit into:
 * Not able to see or low vision
 * Not able to hear or hard of hearing
 * Difficulty reading or learning disability
 * Not using a mouse and/or keyboard
 * Difficulty speaking clearly
 * Tecnology for Access: First step for increasing computer access would be to make better use of conventional technology:**
 * Hardware-keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitors
 * Computer Software-operting system, browser, web authoring tool, plug-ins and other helper applications, etc.
 * Web Design-technology (HTML vs. Flash, PDF, etc.)
 * Summary-General Principles:**
 * "Facilitate alternative rendering of auditory and visual content and alternative conrol"
 * Make sure corporations do not assume that all people with disabilites have the same needs
 * Ensure consistency and simplicity
 * References:
 * "Facilitate alternative rendering of auditory and visual content and alternative conrol"
 * Make sure corporations do not assume that all people with disabilites have the same needs
 * Ensure consistency and simplicity
 * References:

"Postbank." __Postbank__. Deutsche Postbank AG. 22 Feb. 2006 http://www.postbank.de/.
 * Google Image:**

Web Accessibility Initiative of the W3C -[|http://www.w3c.org/WAI]
 * Related Links:

Trace Center -[|http://trace.wisc.edu/]

NCAM -[|http://ncam.wgbh.org./]

A-prompt -[|http://aprompt.atrc.utoronto.ca]