Latest Accessibility News on Accessify

Accessibility Toolbar

Recently mentioned at WaSP the Accessibility Toolbar provides Internet Explorer with:

….one-click access to the validators….snap your browser window to a specific resolution without manually dragging a corner…..turn CSS off at any time…….and beyond!

After a brief try I highly recommend this toolbar for anyone involved in building Accessible sites, the tools are very useful, the only caveat is that you must have JavaScript on for the tools to work (and there still seem to be a few issues that need sorting out, but nothing too serious). For similar options for other browsers see the above linked WaSP post.

Web Standards and Accessibility Presentation

I’m giving an introduction to Web Standards and Accessibility in Hull (UK) on the 29^th of January, full details.

Widgit Software have announced a new browser aimed at users with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia.

The developers say that it can process most web pages, and automatically turn text into symbols that help. The software is expected to cost around £70. However, one drawback is that it will not be able to process embedded Java and Flash applications.

Further references

• The full story at the BBC technology news site.
• Peepo (a heavily symbolized website).
• Perspective on eContent accessibility.

Happy New Year

It may be a few days late, but never mind about that. I just wanted to express my gratitude towards anyone who has ever taken the time to read the site, link to the site, email me with suggestions (some of which I get round to taking up or fixing!) and so on.

it’s been a little slim on news recently, and it’s been even more difficult for me to keep tabs on things on account of being away from things somewhat of late. However, I hope to keep an ear to the ground, and I know that others are contributing to the home page anyway. Let’s keep those home fires burning.

Happy New Year to all visitors to this site!

W3C Web Accessibility Initiative
is holding a 2-day Web Accessibility Best Practices Exchange Training on 9-10
February 2004 in Madrid, Spain.

Participation is open to anyone interested in Web development. There is no
registration fee; however, pre-registration is required.

See the Education and Outreach Working Group’s event page for further details.

P.S.: I’ll almost certainly be there, so give me a shout if you fancy meeting up at the conference.

Rob Tunnacliffe (Tunna)

We were sorry to hear today that Rob Tunnacliffe, the man behind Tunna Resources and a member of the forum, died on the 2^nd of December 2003. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, he will be missed.

Research into making Math Web Content Accessible

LONG BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 9, 2003–Design Science announced today it has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to research ways of making mathematical content accessible to people with vision disabilities. Section 508 of The Rehabilitation Act mandates that federal agencies make Web content accessible to those with visual disabilities, including blindness, low vision, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities. While assistive technologies exist today that make textual content accessible to such people, making the same technology work for mathematical content has been problematic. With this grant, Design Science hopes to make significant progress toward the goal of making math accessible.

Plans to Bring Math Web Content under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Thanks to Matthew Ogston of AccessibleNet.org for the link.

New Blog, New Article

There’s a new Accessibility blog on the scene, and a new article from WATS.ca:

Accountability in Accessibility Testing.

Thanks to Chris Philips for letting me know about his blog and to Michael for letting me know about the article.

UK Draft Disability Discrimination Bill: Initial Briefing by the Disability Rights Commission

The Government has published the draft Disability Discrimination Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny. The DRC is delighted to welcome the publication of the draft Bill which will offer long awaited rights for Britain�s 8.6 million disabled people.

Draft Disability Discrimination Bill

Thanks to Kajun for pointing this out, join the discussion.

Contributions

Well Ian is heading off on his travels today, which leaves me in charge of Accessify for the next 12 months. It also means that there is one less person digging around for the latest news, so now more than ever your contributions via email would be very much appreciated, and full credit given for any that I use.

If you have or have found some Web Accessibility news now or in future please mail it to me: nigel@miswebdesign.com.