For an estimated 30 million people in the United States,
the Internet is a road not to enlightenment but to
frustration. Many people cannot see graphics because of
visual impairments; cannot hear the audio because of a
hearing loss; have difficulty navigating sites because of
poor organization, confusing directions or distracting
images due to cognitive or neurological issues such as
learning disabilities, ADHD, seizure disorders or other
developmental problems; cannot use a mouse to navigate due
to physical or visual disabilities; or cannot use handheld
and wireless devices.
Such disabilities and functional limitations must be taken
into account by anyone developing or using Web sites that
promote information either to the public or in the
classroom setting, according to Peggy Hayeslip, associate
director for
disability services in the university's
Office of Equal
Opportunity and Affirmative Action Programs.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the
Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibit
discrimination by entities receiving federal funds in
services, facilities and programs and in the academic
setting.
"In addition," Hayeslip said, "communication systems are
covered under the ADA and include such programs and
activities as Web sites, distance learning, computer labs
and class workstations, e-mail systems, online services,
library services such as catalog systems and business
services such as ticketing."
On Thursday, Jan. 22, a free conference on Web
accessibility will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in
Schafler Auditorium of the Bloomberg Center for Physics and
Astronomy, Homewood campus. The workshop is open to any
university employee who is involved in the development of
Web sites, contracts with others to develop them or who
uses them to promote information to the public or in the
classroom.
This workshop will address the issues of accessibility to
communication systems, especially Web sites; explore the
university's legal obligations; discuss models for
implementing accessibility; and provide information
regarding training and support.
The conference is sponsored by the Web Access Committee,
comprised of representatives of the Office of Equal
Opportunity and Affirmative Action Programs, Human
Resources, Student Technology Services, Library Digital
Programs of the Sheridan Libraries and the School of Public
Health.
To reserve a seat, register online at
http://hrnt.jhu.edu/web_access or call 410-516-8949
(TTY: 410-516-6225). To request accommodations, contact
Disability Services at 410-516-8949 by Friday, Jan. 16.