Janet Peters's List: Accessible Non-HTML Content

2 hour Presentation for Region 10 Low Incidence Project

This webinar focuses on the work of a single community of practice, the Accessible Electronic Document Community of Practice (AED COP). The AED COP drafted and submitted the "Harmonized Processes for Section 508 Testing: Baseline Tests for Accessible Electronic Documents-MS Word 2010" as a best practice to the Best Practices subcommittee of the Accessibility Community of Practice of the CIOC. This best practice will establish the minimum steps required to determine whether an electronic document produced in Microsoft Office Word 2010 passes or fails Section 508 requirements. The tests have been agreed upon as part of an effort to provide a unified approach for Section 508 testing across government, to increase consistency and to build confidence in test results shared between agencies.

The AED COP is creating additional resources for use by experienced 508 testers as well as document authors with little to no 508 experience. All resources are based on the agreed upon tests. This webinar will review the "DRAFT Authoring Guide for Making An Accessible Document in MS Word 2010."

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) sets the main international standards for the World Wide Web and its accessibility. W3C created the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) which are similar to Section 508, but on an international level. WCAG 2.0 requires specific techniques for compliance and is more current than Section 508.

The US Access Board is updating its Section 508 Standards and Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines together. Issued under the Rehabilitation Act, the Section 508 Standards apply to electronic and information technology procured by the federal government, including computer hardware and software, websites, multimedia such as video, phone systems, and copiers. The Telecommunications Act guidelines, which were issued under Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act, address access to telecommunications products and services, and apply to manufacturers of telecommunication equipment. The Board is updating both documents jointly to ensure consistency in coverage of telecommunication technologies and products.

The Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act (IITAA) requires Illinois agencies and universities to ensure that their web sites, information systems, and information technologies are accessible to people with disabilities. While the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act already require the State to ensure accessibility, the IITAA establishes specific standards and encourages the State to address accessibility proactively.

Minnesota State Accessibility Standard passed in 2013 and requires MN State information systems, tools and information content shall comply with the the accessibility law. Contact Jay Wyant, Chief Information Accessibility
Officer jay.wyant@state.mn.us

Find information on accessibility for Office products, including VPATs

The information provided in this document is intended to help you create documents that will be accessible to someone using assistive technology software such as a screen reader or screen magnifier. These guidelines will also help you produce better documents for all users and will contribute to the success of document conversion to HTML or PDF files.

WebAim article on writing text equivalents

The secret to creating accessible PDFs is to build accessibility into the source information, well before the final PDF is created. This session will look at how to prepare your source documents, such as Word, Excel, or Powerpoint so that the requirements for an accessible PDF are built-in from the ground up. We will discuss the correct use of styles and structured markup, as well as other elements such as images and graphs when planning for accessibility.

Adobe® Acrobat® XI and Adobe Reader® XI software continue the tradition of providing strong accessibility support for Adobe PDF documents and forms. Acrobat XI features a number of built-in accommodations for people with disabilities, as well as support for users of assistive technologies. In addition, Acrobat XI provides authors with a complete set of tools to create and optimize accessible PDF files from almost any source.

Sometimes additional editing is needed to get your PDF fully accessible. This session will look at the Table and Form Editors, changing reading order for assistive devices, and new features in Acrobat XI. Participants should have a basic understanding of accessible PDF principles such as tagging and navigational structure.

Generally, PDF files are not created with accessibility in mind. There are several methods to check a PDF file for accessibility as well as make changes to the PDF to meet accessibility guidelines. This session will show you some "Quick Checks" you can perform on a PDF file to see if it is accessible. Session will also talk about some of the ways PDF files are created and how that makes a difference in accessibility. TAGS: PDF, Documents

The PDF file format is no longer inaccessible to people with disabilities. If PDF files are developed with accessibility in mind, people with disabilities can use their assistive technology to access needed information from PDF files. This presentation will be an overview on the variety of methods and tools to ensure that the PDF files are accessible. Simple instructions will be shared along with advanced techniques, tools, and tips that can be used in the process of creating accessible PDF files.

This webinar will identify best practices for creating accessible and optimized digital documents and web content for maximized usability, functionality and cost-savings. Specifically addresses issues and remedies pertaining to Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Office Word and PowerPoint, and public websites. Recommended participants include: IT managers, web designers, and content creators of all skill levels.

Article by Terrill Thompson on Accessible Media Players

Article on WebAxe on Accessible Media Players