Web Accessibility Resources

Standards

The goverment standards for software accessibility in checklist format.

Section 508 Web-based intranet and internet accessiblity guidelines

The W3's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

An interesting Shockwave simulation from WebAIM that lets you experience reading web pages with a screen reader. Also, a good Section 508 checklist with Pass/Fail criteria for each requirement.

Software

Jaws for Windows screen reader software.

Crick Software makes a suite of accessibility software and input devices for schools and primary learning.

Dolphin Software makes a number of accessibility software and tools.

ZoomText 9.1 magnification and reading software.

Tapir is a simple free program that allows disabled users to enter text using a method similar to that used with mobile phones.

Camera-Mouse is free software that lets a user move the mouse pointer just by moving their head.

Cynthia Says is a web content accessibility validation solution, designed to identify errors in design related to Section 508 standards and the WCAG guidelines.

The National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) has a page of tools to help create accessible multimedia and Web sites.

Download and try Virtual Magnifying Glass.

Evaluating accessiblity software? This checklist of questions will help.

Assistive technology tools for the Mac OS.

Testing Tools

Try the WAVE 4.0 beta web accessibility testing tool.

The University of Toronto offers Aprompt, a Web Accessibility Verifier that checks for validity and compliance with the WAI guidelines.

Reference

Better Living Through Technology is a non-commercial web site designed to promote the use of technology to help people with a range of disablities.

The Alliance for Technology Access provides information on assistive technology hardware. There's lots of good info at this site.

An excellent primer from WGBH-Boston on Making Educational Software and Web Sites Accessible.

The New York Public Library has a great online style guide with lots of tips for making your content more accessible, also a good model for instituting XHTML/CSS guidelines.

ISO 639.2 language codes for representing names of languages.

Need help convincing the boss? See the Business Case for Web Accessibility for some great ideas.

A great resource - 30 days to a more accessible web site.

The University of Toronto has an excellent illustrated technical glossary of adaptive technologies.

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