Web Accessibility

July 2014 – The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative published a new document to help developers assess the accessibility of websites in addition to web and mobile applications. Titled Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology (WCAG-EM), the document provides a methodology developers can use to test websites and apps for conformance to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.  In general, WCAG 2.0 focuses on individual web pages.

April 2014 — Federal contractors have filed a class action suit against the Government Services Administration (GSA) regarding the accessibility of the System for Award Management website, www.SAM.gov, run by GSA.  The case highlights that, among many responsibilities, GSA is responsible for ensuring that all “federal contractor programs and activities are Section 504 compliant and accessible to [individuals with disabilities].” Use of SAM.gov is essential for all federal government contractors, as contractors are required to register with the site before an

Wireless RERC researchers were featured at the 2014 International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference (CSUN) in San Diego, California March 17-22, 2014.  Links to presentations are below.

November 2013 — The U.S. Department of Education National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) has awarded $3.7 million to Carnegie Mellon University to conduct a Disability Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) on Inclusive Cloud and Web Computing.  The project is a collaboration between Carnegie Mellon, Syracuse University and The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

November 2013 — W3C announced that the Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (ATAG 2.0) have been published as a W3C Candidate Recommendation.