- From: David Poehlman <poehlman@clark.net>
- Date: Sat, 02 Sep 2000 18:29:19 -0400
- To: wai-ig list <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
Cyber Senator Unveils Senate's First Web Site for Disabled Internet Users Contact: David Carle of the Office of Senator Patrick Leahy, 202-224-3693 WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has produced the first home page in the U.S. Senate that fully complies with new federal accessibility standards. Government Web sites are expected to comply with the federal standards by next spring. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits government agencies from using inaccessible technology, which means Web sites must be modified to meet the needs of users with disabilities. As Web designers include more graphic elements and Web pages become increasingly complex, it has become a challenge for those with disabilities -- particularly those with vision and hearing impairments -- to use the Web. The Leahy site, http://leahy.senate.gov, includes a special link to the new companion site that features a simpler design and text-only pages. Doug Wakefield of the U.S. Access Board, an independent federal agency that develops guidelines and provides technical assistance on accessibility, confirmed that the site meets Section 508 requirements. Leahy, whose Web site has consistently been named among the best on Capitol Hill, has made these improvements to his site a priority since he first became aware of the difficulties that persons with disabilities were having using the Internet. Sometimes called "the Cyber Senator" for his enthusiasm for and leadership on Internet issues, Leahy in 1995 became only the second senator to post a home page. The Vermont senator also has long been concerned with closing the so-called "digital divide." "The Internet is a marvelous tool that can make government more accountable and more useful to citizens," said Leahy. "We need to continually minimize the gap between the digital 'haves' and 'have-nots' as some citizens get left behind at the same lightning pace at which the Internet advances. As we mark the tenth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is important that we remain true to the goal of equal access where the Web is concerned. No one should be left behind in the Internet Revolution." Designed by Leahy staffer Alesia Stein from Fairlee, Vt., the Leahy site has not only been made more user-friendly for those with special needs, but this month also has gotten an overall facelift. The Web-based tool "Bobby" was used by Leahy's staff to evaluate the site's accessibility. Bobby, www.cast.org/bobby , is a free service provided by Center for Applied Special Technology. -0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 08/28 10:48
Received on Saturday, 2 September 2000 18:27:24 UTC