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Presenter(s)
W. Bradley (Brad) Fain, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center (ITTATC) Georgia Tech Research Institute
(404) 894-7261
Email: Brad.Fain@GTRI.gatech.edu
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 "508 Assistant" is an online tool that supports the design and procurement of accessible electronic and information technology; more specifically, technology that conforms to the accessibility standards defined in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. The "508 Assistant" organizes mission critical information by user role and by type of product. It also offers detailed background information about the Section 508 law and its technical standards.
The "508 Assistant," which was developed by the Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center (or ITTATC) with the assistance of industry and other collaborators, is designed to help users who are trying to relate Section 508 conformance with their particular situation. The objective was to provide a "personal assistant" who could tell you what you need to know when you need to know it, in a practical manner that supports decision-making and action-taking. In particular, the "508 Assistant" is designed to address the needs of these users:
• Product managers in the technology industry
• Marketing managers in the technology industry
• Product designers and engineers in the technology industry (and in state governments)
• Procurement officials in state governments (i.e., buyers of both commercial off-the-shelf, or COTS, products as well as customized acquisitions)
• People with disabilities
ASSESSMENT OF USER NEEDS
Telephone surveys were conducted from January to April 2004 to determine the specific needs of potential users. The surveys revealed that the following requirements were most relevant for each type of user:
Product managers needed help in:
• Obtaining background information / awareness of Section 508
• Defining the Section 508 conformance process
• Obtaining an overview of other applicable accessibility regulations, standards, and guidelines
• Interpreting regulations, standards, and guidelines
• Developing plans for evaluation of Section 508 conformance
• Developing documentation that supports Section 508 conformance
Marketing managers needed help in:
• Performing market research
• Developing business plans
• Assessing the feasibility of accessibility solutions
• Determining which Section 508 technical standards and/or functional performance criteria apply to a specific product
• Developing product requirement checklists
• Obtaining a detailed understanding of Section 508 technical standards and/or functional performance criteria
• Obtaining detailed information about other applicable accessibility regulations, standards, and guidelines
• Identifying potential accessibility issues with a given product
• Identifying potential accessibility solutions for a given product
• Prioritizing accessibility solutions
• Obtaining examples of accessible designs
State procurement officials needed help in:
• Reviewing potential accessibility issues for a given product
• Reviewing potential accessibility features for a given product
• Reviewing examples of accessible product designs
• Performing "quick checks" for accessibility
• Verifying Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs)
• Obtaining information about how Section 508 is being applied by other states
• Generating draft contract language pertaining to required and desired accessibility features
People with disabilities needed help in:
• Reviewing accessibility issues for a given product
• Reviewing potential accessibility features for a given product
• Reviewing examples of accessible product designs
• Performing "quick checks" for accessibility
These user requirements defined the high level functions that the "508 Assistant" was designed to support.
OVERVIEW OF THE "508 ASSISTANT"
The content and functionality of the "508 Assistant" are organized around three dimensions: user role, product type, and Section 508 background information.
For each role, the "508 Assistant" provides information that supports the requirements listed above, including role-specific best practices and role-specific tasks that are part of the federal procurement process. Information used to populate the "508 Assistant" was taken from research performed in the Accessibility Evaluation Facility at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, a case studies project of electronic and information technology manufacturers, and collaborations with industry partners and other accessibility experts.
The following product types are (or will be) included in the "508 Assistant:" digital multi-function copiers, cellular telephones, printers, handheld computers / PDAs, and web-based software applications. Additional product modules are planned for future deployment. For each product type, the system provides the following information:
• Lists of potential accessibility issues and possible solutions • The Section 508 technical requirements that apply to the product (categorized as definite, possible, and never apply) • Illustrations of an accessible version of the product • "Quick" as well as more detailed methodologies for evaluating the accessibility of the product • An explanation of how to document the product accessibility in a VPAT
For each of the Section 508 standards, the "508 Assistant" provides definitions of key terms; non-technical explanations of what the standard means and why it is relevant to people with disabilities; explanations of how to evaluate whether products conform to the standard; and brief discussions of common misinterpretations or difficulties associated with the application of the standard.
The information in the "508 Assistant" can be accessed by user role, product type, or 508 standard, but there are many links between pages so the user can seamlessly jump from one part of the system to another as needed in the search for knowledge and assistance. During the session at CSUN, the presenters will demonstrate how the "508 Assistant" can be used to support design and procurement activities.
DISCLAIMER
The "508 Assistant" was designed to provide informal guidance on how to apply the Section 508 standards to the design, sale, or purchase of technology products. Examples are given for illustration purposes only, and they are not intended to be comprehensive or complete. Users are encouraged to perform their own "due diligence" activities when designing, selling, or buying technology.
GETTING STARTED WITH THE "508 ASSISTANT"
If you are interested in trying the "508 Assistant," go to http://www.ittatc.org/technical/508assistant/ and explore its features and functionality. The initial operating capability of the "508 Assistant" includes the core structure (product, role, and Section 508 information overview pages) as well as detailed modules covering many of the products and roles of interest to potential "508 Assistant" users.
ITTATC provides a link to a feedback form at the bottom of each page of the "508 Assistant," and we welcome your comments and questions on any aspect of the tool. ITTATC will refine and expand the "508 Assistant" 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.
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) in the Department of Education funds ITTATC. The opinions contained in this publication are ITTATC's, and they do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Education.
ITTATC 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 www.ITTATC.org or by phone at 1-866-948-8282 (voice/TTY).
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