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IT Accessibility Committee Initiatives and Accomplishments

2007-2008 Committee Accomplishments

2008-2009 Committee Projected Initiatives

Items in italics under "2008-2009 Projected Initiatives" for each committee are those suggested at the Annual NYS Forum Planning Session held on July 11, 2008. Any initiatives receiving priority votes cast by participants on July 11th are bolded and in blue and the number of votes cast is shown in parenthesis.

The Forum founded the IT (Information Technology) Accessibility committee to raise awareness of these issues with the technology community, to encourage the development of sensible policies to address these issues, and to provide the technical training necessary to implement the policies.

2007-2008 Accomplishments

Tools

  • Validation Tool
    • Completed the evaluation process and awarded the RFP
    • Tested and evaluated the tool
    • Developed release guidelines and protocols
    • Completed development and released the tool
    • Organized hands-on training in the use of the desktop tool
    • Organized web-based training in the use of the online tool
    • Acted as NYS contacts for issues related to tool access
  • Wiki established

Training

  • Intro to Web Accessibility
  • Accessible Web 2.0 (AT Expo)
  • Review of the Standards and the Validation Tool (AT Expo)
  • Presentation to the Webmasters' Guild introducing HiSoftware
  • Presentation to the Webmasters' Guild launching the Validation Tool
  • Presentation to CATA demonstrating the Validation Tool
  • Desktop tool training - See above
  • Online tool training - See above
  • Webcasting Open Meetings - A Demonstration (GTC)
  • MAGPie training
  • ARIA Training co-sponsored with the WMG (facilitated by Corp. Roundtable member IBM)

Presentations

  • CIO Council Subcommittee on Performance Measurement
  • Award Nominations
    • Best of New York
    • NASCIO Awards

Policy

  • Revised OFT Policy containing stronger language regarding the procurement of accessible products
  • Revised Standards to encompass a larger range of alternatives for compliance

Publications

  • Monthly newsletter, including standard-by-standard commentary and advice
  • Best Practices Guidelines for the Standards
  • Web site commentary on Standard 6: Times Responses

Research

  • Investigation of ARIA and Web 2.0 technology
  • Preparation for HTML 5.0
  • Discovery of the WCAG 1.0 to WCAG 2.0 comparison documents
  • Found list of state accessibility policies
  • Litigation and Legislation watch

Consultation

  • With OFT and several other agencies, businesses, and the occasional county

2008-2009 Projected Initiatives

Tools

  • Validation Tool (2)
    • Continue to publicize and market validation tool
    • Assist as necessary in efforts to get validation tool on contract and on aggregate buy
    • Increase awareness among state agency web developers, managers, and contractors working for state agencies
  • Wiki
    • Become familiar with Wiki management
    • Encourage use of the Wiki as an ongoing FAQ

Planned Training/Presentations (1)

  • Intro to Web Accessibility (another session)
  • Update on Policy and Standard
  • Policy, Standard and Validation Tool session (downstate)
  • Getting Started with CSS
  • Creating Accessible PDF Documents
  • EDUCause 2008
  • DOH - Best Practice Implementation Session
  • Update on ARIA/Web 2.0
  • Exploit any other training/presentation opportunities
  • Sessions on/for usability using expertise from US HHR; contractor training on the standard; and creating accessible flash (2)

Policy

  • Investigate options for adding Policy's procurement language to Appendix A
  • Investigate the possibility of legislation to require procurement of accessible IT in state government

Publications

  • Continue to publish monthly newsletter
  • Update web site commentary to reflect changes in the Policy and Standard
  • Update Best Practice Guidelines on Standard for CIO/OFT web site

Research

  • W3C Standards Watch: HTML 5, WCAG 2.0, ARIA
  • Review proposed changes to Section 508
  • Litigation and Legislation Watch

Consultation

  • Continue to provide consultative services to web developers and others in state agencies, local government, contractors working with state agencies, etc.
  • Extend consulting services to include agency training (3)
  • Ensure accessibility of the NYS government web site, template and development tools (4)