- From: Larry G. Hull <Larry.G.Hull@nasa.gov>
- Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2003 17:54:00 -0500
- To: phoenixl <phoenixl@sonic.net>
- Cc: phoenixl@sonic.net, w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Scott, I must not have been clear but I don't really see how I could have worded it better. I am NOT saying steps are accessible to paraplegics. My point is that removing barriers is what "compatable" means, at least to me, in Section 508 which you quoted then questioned in your original message. At 2:43 PM -0800 4/3/03, phoenixl wrote: >Hi, Larry > >Are steps accessible to paraplegics? Actually, many paraplegics can >crawl there way up and down stairs dragging their wheelchairs behind >them. However, it is very slow and cumbersome and I doubt many people >would believe that steps are accessible to paraplegics. > >I think that removal of barriers can accomplish more and still not >be approaching miracles. > >Scott > > >> Scott, >> >> I'm not a lawyer nor a procurement official and the following is only >> my personal opinion, but I believe that the word "comparable" as used >> here means "able to access and use the information and data", not to >> ensure access that is equal in all regards e.g., without use of >> assistive technology or at some specified rate. >> >> Probably a bad analogy but comparable physical access to buildings >> means providing ramps and automated doors albeit these take a bit >> longer to navigate in a wheelchair compared to simply walking up some >> steps and opening the door by hand. >> >> In other words, the intent is to remove barriers, not work miracles. >> >> Regards, >> > > Larry > >>>Hi, >>> >>>In the text of the bill reauthorizing 508 the section addressing >>>accessibility >>>says: >>> >>> SEC. 508. ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY >>> >>> (a) REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.-- >>> >>> (1) ACCESSIBILITY.-- >>> >>> (A) DEVELOPMENT, PROCUREMENT, MAINTENANCE, OR USE OF ELECTRONIC AND >>> INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.--When developing, procuring, maintaining, or >>> using electronic and information technology, each Federal department >>> or agency, including the United States Postal Service, shall ensure, >>> unless an undue burden would be imposed on the department or agency, >>> that the electronic and information technology allows, regardless of >>> the type of medium of the technology-- >>> >>> (i) individuals with disabilities who are Federal employees to have >>> access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the >>> access to and use of the information and data by Federal employees >>> who are not individuals with disabilities; and >>> >>> (ii) individuals with disabilities who are members of the public >>> seeking information or services from a Federal department or agency >>> to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable >>> to the access to and use of the information and data by such members >>> of the public who are not individuals with disabilities. >>> >>>the use of the word comparable would seem to indicate, at least for 508, >>>that there isn't a concern about distinguishing between 'accessibility' >>>and 'usable accessibility'. If a visually impaired person is 5 times >>>longer in using some information/data than a sighted person, is that >>>comparable? >>> >>>Scott
Received on Thursday, 3 April 2003 17:54:03 UTC