Q.What resources can I find online to help me make my web pages more accessible?

A. Here's a list of the Web Office's favorites.

SSU Assistive Technology Initiative
SSU's website with information about requirements, milestones, standards, etc.
SSU Web Guidelines and Usage Policy
SSU policy requires official SSU web pages to be accessible (currently under review).
W3c HTML Validator
The first step in writing accessible pages is to write valid code. Make sure your HTML validates.
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
Part of the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), the WAI has established guidelines for making accessible web content. Guidelines are ranked into three priority levels. Site includes news, guidelines, techniques, training and more.
Section508.gov
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires web content and other IT tools and resources to meet accessibility standards. Section 508 standards are based in part on WAI priority 1 and 2 guidelines.
Web Accessibility In Mind (WebAIM)
WebAim is a great resource for learning about web accessibility and how to make accessible web content. Includes tutorials, how-tos, overview of applicable laws, simulations (so you can get an idea of what a disabled visitor might encounter on the web) and links to other tools and resources. Our favorite web accessibility site!
WebAIM's Section 508 Checklist
An easy to read and use version of the Section 508 standards with PASS & FAIL examples.
Cynthia Says Web Content Accessibility Report
The Cynthia Says Portal can run an automated check of a web page to see if the content meets Section 508 Accessibility Standards. The report generated gives valuable advise on what's wrong and how to fix it.
Firefox Web Developer Toolbar
This extension to the Firefox browser adds a menu and a toolbar to the browser with various web developer tools. Tools include links to validators, outlining of images with missing alt text, hiding images, disabling styles and javascript - plus many more. This tool is a must-have for web developers. We use it all the time and absolutely LOVE it. Can we recommend it any more heartily?
Bobby
Formerly a free service, but now owned by commerical corporation Watchfire, Bobby can help web page authors identify accessibility problems. There is a limit to the number of URLs you can check in a given time period, so Bobby may not be the most effective tool for accessibility-checking.
IMS Specifications for Accessible Learning Technologies (SALT)
Includes a primer on accessibility, guidelines for using XML-based languages such as XHTML and SMIL, and more, for educators developing content and tools.
PDF Accessibility
Don't assume your PDF's meet accessibility standards. Adobe Acrobat PDF files are NOT accessible unless you've already used the tools and instructions at Adobe's accessibility site to make them accessible. Adobe also offers a PDF conversion service by email.
Microsoft Word Accessibility
How accessible are Microsoft Word documents? - a great article on MS Word accessibility issues. Another is this WebAIM Discussion about linking to MS Word documents.
PowerPoint Accessibility
Macromedia's Building an Accessible Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation
Macromedia Accessibility Site
Information and tools for making accessible content with Macromedia products, including Dreamweaver and Flash.
Macromedia Educators: Accessibility in Education
Accessible design resources for educators who use Macromedia products.

Flash Accessibility

Although Flash MX has a framework for making Flash content accessible, it is not easy, and in some types of content, nearly impossible. Think carefully, consult the following resources, and test your content.

Flash Paper

Macromedia Flash Paper 2 converts files like MS Word, PowerPoint, HTML into "accessible" Flash files. It's essential that the original source files be made accessible to begin with - for example, images in the MS Word .doc must have appropriate ALT text.

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