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you may also contact us at www.nstraid.com
Accessible Information Technology Technical Bulletin: December
2004
The Northeast ADA & IT Center at Cornell University provides training, technical assistance and materials on the ADA and accessible information technology throughout New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This monthly technical bulletin is part of our dissemination efforts and if you do not want to receive this document or would like others from your organization added to our list, please call 1-800-949-4232 or reply to this message. Thank you Web Accessibility Leadership Academy Date: January 10, 2005 Location: Utica College, Utica, NY To increase awareness about the accessibility of web-based educational resources and implications for students with disabilities, the Northeast ADA & IT Center, in collaboration with the Offices of Learning Services and Integrated Informational Technology Services at Utica College, is hosting a Web Accessibility Leadership Academy for colleges in the Utica area. This full-day leadership program focuses on the following topics: * benefits and costs of accessible web sites * accessibility implications for web-based distance learning content * legal considerations * evaluating web pages for accessibility * getting started / making a plan Visit the Events section of the Northeast ADA & IT Center website to learn more about this event. If you are interested in hosting a Web Accessibility Leadership Academy at your school or college, please contact the Northeast ADA & IT Center by calling 800-949-4232 or via email at [EMAIL PROTECTED] IDEA re-authorization Excerpted from eSchool News article, November 23, 2004 "States and school systems should get more money from the federal government to pay for new technologies and other services for students with disabilities, under the final terms of a bill to re-authorize the landmark Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that now serves some 6.7 million children. The bill, which Congress passed November 19, aims to boost discipline in class, better identify children with disabilities, get help to students earlier, and reduce lawsuits by parents. It also reaffirms the federal government's commitment to pay its share of expenses--though it doesn't lock in mandatory spending as many had hoped." Find additional information at http://www.wrightslaw.com/law/idea/index.htm. Weekly Updates The What's New Section of our web page is updated on a weekly basis. Don't miss out on exciting opportunities! Go to www.northeastada.org and click on What's New to see what is happening in the area of trainings, upcoming events, and new information. If you have questions about what you see there, please call us toll free at 1-800-949-4232 or send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]. Universal Design for Learning Training opportunities from Cast, Inc.: CAST Institutes are two-, or three-day sessions that offer information, awareness, and hands-on activities, focusing on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and other important educational issues. Each institute features presentations from experts on UDL and other CAST professional development staff. Institutes have a maximum of 24 participants which allows for small group work, hands-on technology (one computer to two participants), individualized support from CAST staff, and direct application to participants practice. Visit the CAST website (http://www.cast.org/pd) for more information. Creating Accessible Web Pages in Microsoft FrontPage Excerpted from WebAIM November 2004 Newsletter (http://www.webaim.org/newsletter/); Author: Jon Whiting (WebAIM) FrontPage is one of the most popular HTML editors on the market. There are several reasons for this:
FrontPage 2003 includes an accessibility checker as one of its new
features. Many of the FrontPage accessibility techniques presented in an article
are possible in FrontPage 2000 through 2003. Read the full article: Using FrontPage 2003 to
Create Accessible Content Able Web Editor A new HTML Editing program has recently been released that has been designed with web accessibility as a primary goal, Able Web Editor. The accessibility features are designed into the operation of the program as well as in the documentation for how to create accessible web pages. This program is an HTML Text Editor with all program controls accessible from the keyboard. The use of a mouse is optional. All the program documentation is contained in Web Pages that may be displayed in the built-in browser or through appropriate Assistive Technology. The documentation includes Page Samples that describe HTML and CSS showing how to comply with Section 508 and the WCAG 1.0. They also include cross browser compatibility references for IE 4, 5, and 6, Mozilla Firefox, Netscape 4 and 6, and Opera browsers as well as the W3C's HTML, CSS, and XHTML standards. For more information about the program, please visit www.AbleWebEditor.com. A free demo version of this program is available on this web site. Reading Effectiveness Tool When writing content for the Web, several considerations need to be made. Your audience may include individuals with reading disabilities and those who use screen readers. The Clear Language and Design (CLAD) Reading Effectiveness Tool can help you evaluate your content to see if it is appropriate for your audience. (http://www.eastendliteracy.on.ca/clearlanguageanddesign/readingeffectivenesstool/) Breaking Down Barriers: K-12 and Beyond (CD) The ADA and IT Technical Assistance Centers have created an informational CD on how accessible electronic and information technology can break down barriers for students with disabilities and improve educational and employment outcomes. This CD is available, free of charge, by calling our office, 800-949-4232 or emailing us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] The use of technology is widespread in schools and employment settings. It has the potential to maximize the independence, participation and productivity of students with disabilities. Call (800-949-4232) or email ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) us for a copy of this CD and to find out about Accessible Information Technology training programs that are offered to K12 audiences through the NYS TRAID (Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities) Centers as well as through our Center. 201 ILR Extension Building Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 1-800-949-4232 (TTY and voice) NY, NJ, PR, USVI www.northeastada.org [EMAIL PROTECTED] Northeast ADA&IT Center 201 ILR Extension Building Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 1-800-949-4232 (TTY and voice) NY, NJ, PR, USVI www.northeastada.org [EMAIL PROTECTED] |
