"Computer technology and the Internet
have a tremendous potential to broaden the lives and increase the
independence of people with disabilities. Those who have difficulty
leaving their homes can now log in and order groceries, shop for
appliances, research health questions, participate in online discussions,
catch up with friends, or make new ones. Blind people, who used
to wait months or years for the information they needed to be made
available in Braille or on audiotape, can now access the very same
news stories, magazine articles, government reports, and information
on consumer products at the very same time it becomes available
to the sighted population. People who have difficulty holding a
pen or using a keyboard can use the latest speech recognition software
to write letters, pay their bills, or perform work-related tasks."
-The Disability Statistics Center,
dsc.ucsf.edu
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Government Contracts
It is mandatory for Federal agencies and companies
that receive Federal monies (contracts, grants, etc.), to
comply with Section 508. On June 21, 2001, the enforcement
of Section 508 went into effect. Section 508 requires that individuals
with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information
or services from a Federal agency, have access to and use of information
and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are
not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden be imposed
on the agency ( www.access-board.gov/sec508/508standards.htm).
Section 508 also requires that contractors supplying products or
services to Federal agencies provide Section 508 compliant deliverables.
To ensure that your company remains competitive for government contracts,
contact an accessibility professional at Expert InSite.
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Intranet Accessibility
What about your company's intranet? Employees are inadvertently
discriminated against when corporate Intranets are not accessible
to persons with disabilities. Although it is not yet a legal requirement
for private corporations to maintain accessible Intranet and Internet
web sites, it is considered good practice.
Having an inaccessible web site leaves your company open to administrative
complaints and private lawsuits. A web accessibility audit by Expert
InSite involves a full accessibility analysis of your internal and
external web sites, and includes a report that details which features
are accessible and which are not.
To discuss the advantages of accessible software and web products
with an accessibility specialist please contact Expert InSite.
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by Expert InSite
visit our Services & Fees page >>
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