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Access to websites is essential in today's digital environment for obtaining information, downloading data, sharing media, obtaining goods and services, and making other transactions. Many websites, however, remain off-limits to people with disabilities, particularly those with sensory impairments, because they are not structured and coded properly for accessibility. The U.S. Access Board, which maintains accessibility standards for information and communication technology in the federal sector under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, is conducting free webinars in September on how to evaluate websites for accessibility.
An introductory webinar on September 5 from 1:30 – 3:00 (CT) will cover online barriers to accessibility and explain how to check that web content is accessible to all visitors using the Board's Section 508 Standards. Presenters will review key components of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines issued by the World Wide Web Consortium, which are incorporated by reference in the Section 508 standards. They will also discuss common problems and easy solutions and share practical tips for improving website accessibility. Attendees can pose questions in advance or during the live webinar. This session is intended for both a general audience as well as website designers and content managers who are experienced, but new to accessibility.
For more information or to register for this session, visit https://www.accessibilityonline.org/ao/session/?id=110746" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.accessibilityonline.org. This webinar series is hosted by the ADA National Network in cooperation with the Board. Archived http://www.accessibilityonline.org/ao/archives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">copies of previous Board webinars are available on the site.
A more advanced session will take place September 24 from 12:00 – 1:30 (CT) as part of the Board's Section 508 Best Practices Webinar Series. This session is intended for federal employees involved in procuring web services and products who may not have a technical background but who are responsible for compliance with Section 508. It will follow the "user story" of a non-technical federal employee who has been recently assigned 508 oversight responsibilities for a web services contract. Presenters will review requirements for web content in the 508 Standards and address technical requirements for procurement contracts, how to verify that procured services and deliverables are fully compliant, and available resources and tools for evaluating website accessibility and fixing access issues.
