4 Accessibility tutorials: CSS and DOM/JavaScript

[Frank M. Palinkas]

If it can be of help, please see four tutorials I wrote for the
international Technical Writer and Web Designer communities:

http://dev.opera.com/author/947856

They incorporate accessibility with unobtrusive CSS and DOM/
JavaScript.

Kind regards,

Frank M. Palinkas
Senior Technical Writer
Motorola Mobility Inc.
Sunnyvale, CA

[Barbara Taylor]

I hope this is appropriate to share with this group and I hope you will share it with others.  I work with a team (one accessibility specialist and 3 student workers) to process textbooks into alternate formats (Kurzweill, mp3) for 30 students (on average) per semester.  It helps our process tremendously when the books are in PDF format and clean from the publisher.  It saves much time from having to cut book spines and scan documents.  We need more publishers to join AccessText to speed our process of receiving books and processing them.  With students wanting ebooks we need the publishers to make them in an accessible format.

Please take a minute to go to the following site and sign the petition to be sent to publishers asking them to join the AccessText Network and to integrate accessibility into their products.  

http://www.accesstext.org/petition-form.php

AccessText Publisher Petition

College students with disabilities need to read and study their textbooks to succeed in school, just like any other student. But students who are blind, visually-impaired, or who have learning disabilities, are not able to use standard textbooks the same way as their non-disabled peers. They must have their books in a form they can use, such as braille, large-print, audio, or an accessible electronic format.

While a number of accessible books are available from non-profit agencies, and some publishers are working on accessibility issues, the majority of student texts must be converted into accessible formats by college staff, which can be a lengthy and complex process. This is why college disability service offices request electronic files of textbooks from publishers.

The current situation is unfair to students with disabilities and puts a strain on college resources. Publishers must take a more active role to ensure that all students have equal access to their textbooks and other instructional materials, regardless of disability.

Here are three actions we would like you to take:

• Join the AccessText Network (ATN). ATN helps colleges and publishers track requests for files and permissions. www.accesstext.org/publishers.php <http://www.accesstext.org/publishers.php>
• Include accessibility in your ebooks and other digital products.
• Read the report from the Federal Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials for more recommendations. www2.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/aim/publications.html <http://www2.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/aim/publications.html>
  

Please join us in making accessibility a fundamental principal of higher education so that all students may benefit.

Thank you,

Barbara


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Barbara Taylor, MA, MS
Instructional Developer
California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA  92096
ph: 760-750-8673

[Frank M. Palinkas]

Done!

Kind regards,

Frank M. Palinkas
Senior Technical Writer

Motorola Mobility Inc. Sunnyvale, CA

Mobile: +1 707 293 4375

Web standards and accessibility tutorials: http://dev.opera.com/author/947856

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[Barbara Taylor]

Hello,

I am looking for information on the accessibility of the Mastering Chemistry site by Pearson and the WebAssign.net site. Both have information about their accessibility but I am looking for information from someone who has actually tested it to determine any deficiencies. If you have anything you would like to share, or can point me in a direction on where to get more information, I would be so thankful.

We currently have an instructor using each of the sites and want to make sure that they do not hinder a student from being successful.

Best regards,

Barbara

Barbara Taylor, MA, MS
Instructional Developer

Cal State San Marcos
IITS/Academic Technology Services
Kellogg Library 2420