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Presenter(s)
Deborah Bursa
Director of Technical Assistance
Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center (ITTATC) Georgia Institute of Technology
(404) 894-4621
Email: Deborah.Bursa@ITTATC.org
INTRODUCTION
The "Accessibility Consultant Chooser" (or ACC) is an online tool that steps you through the process of selecting an accessibility consultant. In particular, the tool is designed to help you find a consultant with expertise in the following areas of accessibility:
* Websites
* Software (other than websites)
* Telecommunications products and services
* Desktops and portable computers
* Self contained, closed products (such as kiosks, copiers, and fax machines)
* Video and multimedia products
The web-based tool, which was developed by the Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center (or ITTATC), is designed to assist users who are new to accessibility as well as those who are familiar with many of the concepts. On each page of the tool, you will see the most pertinent information related to the current step in the selection process. On many of the pages, however, you also will find links to supporting information that you can explore, as needed. You can "drill down" into the details or you can skip through those areas where you are already knowledgeable.
OVERVIEW OF THE ACC SELECTION PROCESS
Following is an overview of the selection process that is built into the ACC as well as the supporting information that is provided:
Steps in the Consultant Selection Process:
1. Introducing the "Accessibility Consultant Chooser"
2. Selecting the Type of Product Involved 3. Defining the Accessibility Problem
4. Selecting Your Accessibility Problem(s) from a List of Typical Needs
5. Reviewing the Consultant Activities that May Resolve Your Needs
6. Placing Your Needs and Activities in a Request for Proposal (RFP)
7. Identifying Candidate Consultants
8. Questioning the Candidate Consultants
9. Questioning the Consultant's References
Supporting Information:
* Introduction to people with disabilities
* Introduction to accessibility
* Legal requirements related to accessible technology
* Defining accessibility problems in measurable terms
* Usability and accessibility: interplay
* Accessibility myths
* An example RFP
* Can people within your organization resolve the accessibility problems?
* Lists of consultants
* Commonly misused or misleading claims
As a result of using the ACC, you will obtain the following information:
* An RFP template that includes a basic description of the accessibility problem(s) that you are trying to solve and the activities that you want an accessibility consultant to perform
* A list of potential candidate consultants
* Questions to ask of candidate consultants
* Questions to ask of the consultant's references
DISCLAIMER
The intent of this tool is to provide informal guidance on how to select an accessibility consultant. Examples are given for illustration purposes only, and they are not intended to be comprehensive or complete. Users are encouraged to perform their usual "due diligence" activities when selecting an accessibility consultant.
GETTING STARTED
When you are ready to start using the ACC, go to http://www.ittatc.org/technical/ACC/ and create a user ID and password using the account feature on the left side of this page. Check out the links to the supporting information. Then, when you are ready to move on, click the "Next" link at the bottom of the page to select the type of product or service that needs to be more accessible. The ACC will step you through the process of choosing an accessibility consultant.
PROVIDING FEEDBACK ON THE TOOL
ITTATC provides a link to a feedback form at the bottom of each page of the ACC and at the end of the tool. We welcome your comments and questions on any aspect of the ACC. ITTATC will refine the tool over time as we receive feedback on its content and performance.
ABOUT ITTATC
The Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center (ITTATC) provides training and technical assistance related to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 255 of the Communications Act. We want to help our audiences - industry, state officials, trainers, and consumers - understand the requirements of Sections 508 and 255 and to achieve success in their efforts to develop, market, and buy accessible electronic, information, and telecommunication technology.
ITTATC, which is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), is located at the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) in the College of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. You can reach us via our website at http://www.ITTATC.org/ or by phone at 1-866-948-8282 (voice/TTY).
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