Web Access for All Tool Kit
K-State's tool kit to assist University web developers
Accessibility defined
What accessibility means and how it affects web sites
Legal requirements
Describes K-State's federal and state legal obligations
Guidelines and standards
Links to federal, state, W3C guidelines and policies
Tools
Links to tools that can assist in achieving accessibility
Training and online tutorials
Links to classes and online training
Resources
Information about accessible emerging technologies and web-delivered curriculum
K-State is required by Federal law (the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) to provide access to its programs and services to all qualified individuals. These laws prevent K-State from building buildings with no wheelchair access, and similarly, they prevent K-State from building web sites that deny access to persons who access the web through screen readers, cannot hear audio content, or are unable to use a mouse.
A U.S. Department of Justice Policy Ruling on September 9, 1996 confirmed that the ADA applies to Internet Web Pages.
More recently, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 requires that Federal agencies ensure the accessibility of their electronic and information technology, including web-based intranet and internet information and applications. Although Section 508 applies specifically to Federal agencies, another law (the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, or "AT Act") requires that any State receiving a grant under this act (i.e., all states) must assure that it (the State), or any recipient of State funds, will comply with Section 508 standards. There is still some debate as to the intended relationship between the AT Act and Section 508, and the Department of Education has pledged to work with States to address this. However, many state universities are assuming Section 508 will apply to them, and are working proactively toward compliance.
In addition, the State of Kansas has issued Web Accessibility Requirements and Implementation Guidelines. These documents provide a time frame for initial implementation and a specific guidelines for compliance. The final date for complete compliance is March 31, 2002.