NYS Forum IT Accessibility Committee Meeting

April 8, 2010, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Forum Offices, 24 Aviation Road, Colonie

Attendees: Kristen Albright (Parole), Estelle Council (Parole), Laura Edlund (AT&T), Kim Fraim (DOH), Stephen Haynes (GOER), Dee McCumber (Health), Martin Navojosky (Tax), Joel Obuchowski (INS), Debi Orton (GOER), Cecilia Sanchez (OMH), Mike Short (DCS), Andrew Soper (OFT)
Remote Attendees: Jeff Bennett (OFT), Penelope Brunt (OTDA), Chris Ford (DOH), Brandon Houghton (DOH)

Introductions:

  1. We welcomed the new members: Michelle Cryan (SUNY), Terri Daly (OFT), David Duprey (SED), Thanh Guyen (OSC), Donna Mulvey (OMRDD) and Gail Tassarotti (OFT).

Ongoing Business:

  1. OFT Discussions:
    1. Terri Daly and Gail Tassarotti: NYS Validation Tool Update; Terri recommended OFT would look at lowest cost options and make one or two recommendations. OFT shared that while they value work group feedback, they can't always wait for it due to specific timelines. They are working on new egov report oriented toward online applications.
    2. Andrew Sopner: shared there is a Empire 2.0 Steering Committee. Jeff recommended the use of the Accessibility white paper. Debi recommended a YouTube review. Joel to send links and Wiki to Andrew.
  2. Agency Consulting:
    1. "I Love NY" Web site.
    2. Civil Service: Consultation provided by Mike re: Accessibility of their training exams.
    3. Marilyn Cordell asked Estelle to identify users to test BlueLATS.
  3. Interactions with Other Forum Work Groups:
    1. Emerging Technologies Work Group - Web 2.0 presentation on 3/24/2010.

New Business:

  1. Work Group Initiatives and Future Presentations:
    1. Creating Accessible PDF Documents: now rescheduled for May 12th from 9 AM until noon. Debi and Jeff will be presenting.
    2. Search Engine Optimization and Accessibility - Looking more at the Fall of 2010-2011 Forum Calendar. (Jim C, Mike S) Planning Sheet (Joel)
    3. Possible Web 2.0 Refresh (Re-visited) with the Webmasters' Guild. Many ARIA features have changed since the last presentation. A re-address of issues that made the technology inaccessible needs a re-evaluation. (Jim C.).
    4. Accessibility 101 Training- Since the last session was in 2008, (Debi) Curriculum may need updating. A potential presentation for the 2010-2011 Calendar. Mike suggested another session geared toward best tools to reach more of your audience.
  2. 508 Policy Update: Accessibility policy awaiting Deputy feedback at present. Debi to do policy analysis and provide recommendations by June. Kristen and Estelle agreed to assist.
  3. Reminder: Unconference in Boston May 15th.
  4. Next Work Group Meeting is scheduled on May 13, 2010 at 2:30 pm at the Forum Offices.

Next Meeting:

May 13, 2010
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Forum Offices, 24 Aviation Road, Colonie