- From: David Poehlman <poehlman1@home.com>
- Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2000 09:05:55 -0500
- To: "User Agent Working group list" <w3c-wai-ua@w3.org>, "wai-ig list" <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
----- Original Message ----- From: "Prof Norm Coombs" <nrcgsh@RITVAX.ISC.RIT.EDU> To: <BLIND-L@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU> Sent: December 20, 2000 2:21 PM Subject: Webcast interview re section 508 regs released at last Special webcast interview with Doug Wakefield of the Access Board discussing the implications of the section 508 regulations on the design of web pages. This webcast will be available late Thursday afternoon, December 21 2000 http://www.rit.edu/~easi The regulations for section 508 of the Rehab Act, released December 21, 2000, requires the Federal government and its agencies to only procure information technology and communications systems that are fully accessible to people with disabilities or which can readily be made accessible. The impact of these procurement regulations go far beyond the Federal government. Manufacturers who avoided modifying products to meet the special needs of special consumers because they constituted a small market segment have a new motivation to make such alterations. The government is a major market segment which few manufacturers can ignore. While the regulations does not place direct requirements on commercial companies, they will need to comply with the regulations unless they are willing to write off the government as a customer. These regulations will undoubtedly become a de facto standard that will have sweeping implications all across society. This discussion with Doug Wakefield will focus on how the regs impact web design. Future webcasts will explore some of the other areas where the law is reducing barriers for people with disabilities. Starting in January 2001, EASI will integrate the section 508 regulations into its online Internet-delivered workshops: Barrier-free Web Design, Barrier-free Information technology, Barrier-free Online Learning and The Global Business: Benefits of Designing Accessible and Usable Electronic and Information Technology. Workshop information is at http://www.rit.edu/~easi/workshop.htm.
Received on Thursday, 21 December 2000 09:05:59 UTC