A Word from the Director

Electronic Accessibility

Overall use and information resources available through the Internet have continued to skyrocket since the previous issue of The Research Exchange addressing the accessibility of information on the Internet (Volume 2, Number 1). While we lack the ability to precisely measure usage of the Internet, it is clear that more Americans than ever before have computers in their homes and at work, and are using online services at unprecedented rates.

The growth of electronic information sources offered by NIDRR grantees has also grown significantly. In the summer of 1997, the NCDDR reported (Volume 2, Number 2) that half of NIDRR's grantees had established Web sites. Today, in 1998, over 72 percent of current NIDRR grantees maintain a Web presence. Clearly, the past year has represented phenomenal growth in Web-based information channels focusing on disability research funded by NIDRR.

Along with the growth of the Internet as an informational medium come challenges for NIDRR grantees to ensure that Web-based information is accessible. It is additionally challenging to note that what may have been considered "accessible" on a Web page a year ago, may not be considered "accessible" today. Changes are occurring in software and design practice that are "raising the bar" of accessibility for Web sites. Recent changes in the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) require most NIDRR grantees to re-visit their Web sites and make changes to meet the new level of accessibility.

As the Internet has grown, new applications that can be used in Web page design and implementation have increased. As the NCDDR has pointed out previously, the Internet should not be viewed as an electronic form of what has already been produced on paper. New potential features such as chat rooms, news groups, search engines, video, audio, animation, 3-D imaging, merged media, streaming, real-time conference participation, and many other cutting-edge features bring rich, powerful communication options to Web sites. As is often the case, the way in which each is used and the requirements associated with their use, may severely limit some potential viewers with sensory or cognitive disabilities unless special care is taken to ensure alternate accessibility is also accommodated.

Recent advances such as those reflected in HTML 4.0, give hope that accessibility features may, one day, be more automatic. Today, however, accessibility comes from a purposeful set of actions to create it. As NIDRR grantees, we must serve as good accessibility models for others. This issue of The Research Exchange, along with the past issue addressing accessibility, provides helpful information and resources that can guide you in making your Web site more accessible. Several NIDRR-funded grantees are national leaders in the area of World Wide Web accessibility, so if you do not find the information you need to make your site as accessible as you wish, contact the NCDDR and staff will direct you to resources that should be helpful.

John D. Westbrook, Ph.D.
Director, NCDDR

Top

Web Accessibility  |  Site Map  |  Feedback   

NIDRR Project Number: H133A990008
Last Updated: Tuesday, 29 January 2008 at 04:13 PM,
Contents © 1996-2005

SEDL Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL)
211 East Seventh St., Room 400 - Austin, Texas 78701-3253
Voice/Text Telephone: 800-266-1832 or 512-476-6861 - Fax: 512-476-2286