[Web4lib] Web technologies and public access

[Pons, Lisa (ponslm)]

For a research project for Research Methods class I took online, my
project involved Library 2.0 and Accessibility. In a nutshell, I
wondered to what degree libraries were considering accessibility when
looking at new "web 2.0" technologies as they apply to "Library 2.0".

The answer, for the most part was: I couldn't find evidence that many
libraries were. Literature review, online review, etc... Did not turn up
evidence of concern. Not to say they aren't, I just didn't see it at the
time (this is was one course, so... Time was limited).

However, there is concern in general about web 2.0 and accessibility. I
can point you to:

http://www.w3.org/TR/aria-roadmap/. 

>From which this comes:


"The Roadmap for Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA
Roadmap) addresses the accessibility of dynamic Web content for people
with disabilities. The roadmap introduces the technologies to map
controls, AJAX live regions, and events to accessibility APIs, including
custom controls used for Rich Internet Applications (RIAs). The roadmap
also describes new navigation techniques to mark common Web structures
as menus, primary content, secondary content, banner information and
other types of Web structures.These new technologies can be used to
improve the accessibility and usability of Web resources by people with
disabilities, without extensive modification to existing libraries of
Web resources. 


http://www.alistapart.com/articles/waiaria

http://www-03.ibm.com/able/resources/ajaxaccessibility.html

http://test.cita.uiuc.edu/aria/

http://www.webstandards.org/2007/04/11/accessible-rich-internet-applicat
ions-aria-at-ala/


There is a lot out there, and it does take extra effort. It is also
challenging. Just this week I had to explain (fot the 1,000th time)to
one of our editors why we don't allow setting font size in pixels, why
they can't just apply styles to their pages-that they must use a style
sheet.

But I try...

> -----Original Message-----
> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org 
> [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of John Fereira
> Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 10:24 AM
> To: Chris Alhambra; Cary Gordon
> Cc: web4lib
> Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Web technologies and public access
> 
> At 09:57 AM 2/1/2008, Chris Alhambra wrote:
> >On Feb 1, 2008 12:48 AM, Cary Gordon <listuser at chillco.com> wrote:
> >
> > > I disagree. Adobe has put millions of dollars with good 
> effect into 
> > > making Acrobat and Flash accessible, and you can 
> certainly build a 
> > > Flash site that is compliant with any WCAG priority 
> level. I don't 
> > > particularly promote Flash for Web content or navigation, 
> but to say 
> > > or imply that it hinders accessibility is wrong.
> > >
> > > Cary Gordon, MLS
> > > The Cherry Hill Company
> > > http://www.chillco.com
> > >
> > >
> >
> >I was responding to the original post about the use of Flash and not 
> >providing HTML-only equivalents.  In that case, the Flash-only pages 
> >are indeed obstacles to accessibility.
> >
> >But, OK, hooray for Adobe's spending millions to make its expensive 
> >technology accessible.  [I'm not even going to comment on 
> the industry 
> >that has grown around Section 508.]
> 
> Okay, then I will.
> 
> As I see it, the industry primarily revolves around lots of 
> tools which tell developers "you are not Section 508 
> compliant" and there are lots of people that will be eager to 
> point out web site accessibility issues.
> 
> It's real easy for lots of people to write critical email 
> messages to developers describing how they can't access their 
> site because they're using a text base browser or fringe 
> platform (I consider a 64 
> bit unix platform to be an example).   However, what I don't see are 
> people offering solutions or resources for the developers out 
> there trying to produce innovative web applications.
> 
> 
> John Fereira
> jaf30 at cornell.edu
> Ithaca, NY 
> 
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