History of web accessibility at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison
The Trace Research and Development Center is a part of the University of Wisconsin's
School of Engineering. The Trace Research and Development Center has been a
contributor to the World Wide Web Consortium and the W3C's
recommendations for accessible web design. This affiliation resulted in the
University being aware of web accessibility at an early stage.
In January 2001, the University adopted a web accessibility policy that
followed some of the recommendations of the W3C. The original policy succeeded
in starting the University down the path to accessible web content. Like
most policies, it was intended that the policy would be reviewed periodically.
In June 2001, the Federal Government officially implemented its Section
508 web accessibility standards. The Section 508 standards received
a great deal of publicity and resources from the web design community.
In an effort to parallel what had become the national industry standard,
the University of Wisconsin-Madison modified its policy and adopted the
requirements of the Federal Government's Section 508 policy in November
of 2001.
The policy undertook a third revision in May 2003. The changes at this
point were minimal. Section 508 remained as the foundation of the policy.
The changes were made to the design requirements the University had implemented
alongside Section 508. A more detailed
explanation of changes is available.
back to top
This current policy is available at http://www.wisc.edu/wiscinfo/policy/wwwap.html.
Breakdown of the Policy Requirements
The policy can be broken into eight points. The list below provides a brief
summary of each point. A further breakdown of each point is available.
- Statement that all web pages at the University
must meet the requirements of the Federal Government's Section
508 amendment to the Federal Rehabilitation Act. Specifically subsections
1194.22 and subsection 1194.31. Also provides guidance to update pages
that were in existence before the implementation of the policy in November
2001.
Details.
- Guidance for departments in identifying an order
by which to retrofit existing web
pages.
Details.
- Requirement that a web site must contain
contact information.
Details.
- Recommendation to test web pages with a wide variety
of cross browser programs, operating
systems, validation tools, and
assistive technology
if it is available to you.
Details.
- Designers may file for an exception if they feel
a web page can't be made accessible or would require extraordinary measure.
Details.
- Provides a link to http://www.doit.wisc.edu/accessibility.
The DoIT accessibility page contains links to training, resources, and
other information related to the policy. The resources that this link
leads to will take you beyond the basics that are provided in this course.
Details.
back to top
|
