In response
to the need to ensure equal access to electronic and
information technologies, ITG has developed a set of
standards for Web page design. In recognition of those
individuals with visual, physical, or developmental
disabilities, ITG has adopted a policy to make web information
accessible to all.
It has been estimated that 54 million people or 20.6
percent of all Americans have some level of disability.
Technological advances are eliminating many of the physical
and informational barriers that have long existed for
people with disabilities.
Public awareness of disability issues is growing and
changing. America's population is aging and disability
increases with age. The number of Americans aged 65
and older is projected to increase 135% between 1995
and 2050, according to the Census Bureau.
Integration Technologies Group, Inc. (ITG) is committed
to making its web systems accessible to all users and
we are committed to making the web pages compliant with
Section 508 standards.
Design Standards
These standards are influenced by those recommended
by the Access Board and W3C. The Access Board is responsible
for developing the standards outlined by the amended
Rehabilitation Act of 1998. Universal design calls for
appropriate use of auxiliary aids and services where
necessary to ensure communication.
ITG has adopted the standards, mentioned above, of the
Design of HTML Pages to increase accessibility to users
with disabilities as the primary guideline to provide
access to all people independent of physical limitations.
These standards are maintained by professionals trained
in the area of assistive and information technology.
ITG embraces these standards and will be evaluating
its site on a regular basis, increasing the opportunity
for all individuals to access information on its systems.
The Access Design Standards are being integrated into
ITG and will continue to evolve as new technologies
and opportunities emerge.
Our primary goal is to provide access to any information
component in the system to people with physical limitations.
Additionally, accessibility and usability are structured
to comply with the 508 guide: Technical Standards; Web-based
Intranet and Internet Information and applications (1194.22.)
High priority is given to the following:
Every graphic image has an "alt" tag and a
short description that is intuitive to the user. If
a graphic image is used as a navigation element, it
contains text description and direction that is intuitive
to the user.
The Web system has descriptive, intuitive text links
and avoids the use of vague references such as "click,"
"here," "link," or "this."
Forms include explicitly associated labels to assist
input or contain title identification on the input area.
The use of frames is avoided since they cannot be read
intelligently by screen readers, they create navigation
problems, and they are not supported by all browsers.
Tables include textual information displayed in a linear
form across the table; additionally, cells are explicitly
associated to aid as reference.
Colors are avoided as a sole means for communicating
information since color schemes can create accessibility
problems to people with color blindness and with legibility.
Work Instructions for Software
Development
ITG has established work instruction for the development
of software that guides designers and publishers to
identify important access issues when new web pages
and software components are created. This technical
guide is for internal use and will indicate procedures
that will be followed to set the standards to provide
maximum web page accessibility and usability.
Testing and Evaluation
Testing tools, although help identify initial accessibility
barriers, do not fully identify all issues. The web-pages
of the ITGs CENTRE have been tested for accessibility
with a combination of software tools. Web authoring,
as well as testing software, and screen readers have
been used to evaluate the accessibility level of the
system and its compliance with the 508 guidelines.
Known Limitations of this Policy
Although a significant effort has been made to provide
accessibility to all people with or without disabilities,
this policy does not include requirements for every
known disability. The quality work instruction for software
development (QWI-19 available on the Document Control
System) provides guidelines for creation of new pages
and known issues on accessibility limitations.
Known Issues
Event handlers: Even though events in JavaScript are
used they are not needed to access information or perform
user triggered functions. Cascade Style Sheets (CSS):
Disabling CSS does alter the existing font appearance.
Use of Color: Color is used in occasions however, it
is mostly for decorative purposes and it is not the
sole means of communicating information. Use of Calendar:
Although a calendar feature is used in a pop-up form
as means to enter current date on textboxes, it is not
the sole method of performing this action. Form labels:
Form labels are applied to every textbox that requires
input, checkboxes, radio buttons and dropdown boxes
contain the title attribute instead. Error and Alerts:
Error and Alert mechanisms although in different formats,
have been implemented. Inactive links: Inactive links
may get key focus; however, when clicked do not execute.
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