On August 28, 2002, President George W. Bush issued an Executive Memorandum as part of his New Freedom Initiative which directed federal agencies to work together to build a one-stop interagency web portal for people with disabilities, their families, employers, service providers, and other community members. the result of this collaborative effort, is the Bush Administration's latest step toward a citizen-centric Federal government. It is a comprehensive online resource specifically designed to provide people with disabilities with the information they need to know quickly. With just a few clicks, the portal provides access to disability-related information and programs available across the government on numerous subjects, including civil rights, education, employment, housing, health, income support, technology, transportation, and community life.

A Website for the disabled community

• Do you know someone who is disabled?
• A special education teacher?
• A healthcare professional working with people with disabilities?
• Anyone involved in any aspect of the disability community?

If so, we ask that you forward this message along to them. We aren't selling anything. Really. We're an informational resource website designed specifically for people with disabilities and special healthcare needs, as well as those involved in their care and development. We have designed a site for people with disabilities, many of whom can not travel to receive much needed products and services. The Internet can provide this function. We believe we can support the disability community by offering this service through the Virtual WCD (World Congress & Exposition on Disabilities).

• The latest information and products accessible from home or office.
• Communicate with national and local organizations.
• A bulletin board allows for interaction with others in similar situations.
• Daily updated news
• Over 250 service providers and manufacturers from 50 industries.
• Future plans include chat rooms and seminars on-demand.

Click on the link below to experience this rich informational resource. Invite your colleagues and friends to join this new interactive web site.

Macromedia is set to unveil its Accessibility and E-Learning Solutions Kit, software designed to develop Web sites that can be accessed by the disabled. The launch follows the passage of Section 508, an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act, requiring that technology be accessible to disabled workers at government agencies. Macromedia's software will enable designers to check Web sites for accessibility using such tools as a spellchecker- like program. Captioning is also possible through links to a tool. Advocate groups for the disabled have been pleased with Macromedia's product, and standards groups such as the W3C have advocated Internet accessibility. W3C is creating guidelines for developing accessible browsers, multimedia players, and other Web interfaces.

The WAVE web page accessibility evaluation assistant

UW AugComm New Augmentative and Alternative Communication website has been established as part of the UW Tele-Collaboration Project to provide information and resources for professionals and community members with an interest in AAC. Extensive information on:

ACQUIRING EQUIPMENT:  This includes an overview of AAC device features with photo examples of the features and links to relevant websites for additional information. There is also extensive information about funding AAC equipment, including specific tips for writing letters of justification in Washington State.

CUSTOMIZING VOCABULARY & SYMBOLS:  This includes extensive information (and protocols and forms) to help you make an existing AAC device or strategy meet individual vocabulary and messaging needs.

Accessibility and Microsoft In meeting the needs of people with varying degrees of physical abilities, accessible computers and software programs can make it possible for more people to use these technologies successfully in work, education, and recreation.

Is the Web Truly Accessible to the Disabled?

AWARE Center, an accessible web authoring resources and education center.

Designing More Usable Web Sites

Fact Sheet for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0

Techniques for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0

Memorandum for the Heads of All Federal Agencies regarding the implications of the newly revised Section 508 on Electronic and Information Technology.

• The Final Rules for Sec 508 are now available

Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services

W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 Conformance Logos Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0

Information on WebCT

Why Accessiblity?

Bobby

Bobby is a free web-based service that will help you make web pages accessible to people with disabilities. It will also find HTML compatibility problems that prevent pages from displaying correctly on different web browsers. Bobby was created at CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology). Founded in 1984, CAST is a non-profit organization whose mission is to expand opportunities for all people -- especially those with disabilities -- through the innovative uses of computer technology.

Web Access Project

The Web Access Project, a part of the CPB/WGBH National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM), is pleased to announce that the updated NCAM Web site is now available. Here you will find general information about the Web Access Project (as well as all other NCAM projects), information on obtaining the Web Access Symbol, links to other accessibility related sites, and samples of captioned and described QuickTime movie clips. Additionally, you will find improved and expanded instructions on creating your own captioned and described movie clips.

The Web Access Project recently worked with the producers of the Arthur Web site (based on the popular PBS children's program), to improve its accessibility. The site now includes D-links and a full set of access instructions. This work was an integral part of the project's 1997 goal, which is to develop a plan for making all public television Web sites more accessible.