A Buyers Guide

BUYING ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY

Accessible E&IT: Your Electronic Curb Cut A Buyer’s Guide Written by: Nicaise R. Dogbo Copyright © 2004 – 2007 All rights reserved. CMAT Consulting Tel. (415) 602-6242 E-mail: [email protected] URL : http :www.cmatconsulting.com

Table of Contents Introduction Computer Software Applications Web-based Intranet and Internet Applications Video and Multimedia Products Telecommunication Products Self Contained, Closed Products Appendix: Sample Checklists

Buying Accessible Technology

© 2004 - 2007

1.1 Introduction Electronic and information technology (E&IT) present unprecedented opportunities for people with disabilities, especially those who have difficulties accessing printed information. These technologies, however, when used in classrooms, may also present new accessibility challenges. School administrators unaware of accessibility issues or the availability of alternative accessible technologies often inadvertently create barriers for people with disabilities by procuring the wrong E&IT products for their classrooms. For instance, when an educational software or an online application is not compatible with screen reading programs, students with visual impairment are adversely affected. A multimedia presentation with no captions can be a learning barrier to a person with hearing impairment. Accessible E&IT such as software and electronic textbooks has benefits for other students as well. These benefits are especially important for students learning English as a second language and those with reading difficulties. It has been shown that when information is presented in audio and visual form, performance on complex tasks is improved. Similarly, combining visual and verbal information can lead to enhanced comprehension. By adopting policies that promote the development and procurement of universally designed E&IT, schools can further the goal of inclusion and diversity in the educational system and enhance the learning experience of all of their students, including those with disabilities. This guide was written to assist procurers and purchasers “BUY ACCESSIBLE”. It contains a series of helpful accessibility evaluation tips and sample checklists. The test questions and steps suggested in this manual are in-line with the goals and objectives of section 508 of the rehabilitation act.

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Buying Accessible Technology

© 2004 - 2007

1.2 Accessible Computer Software Applications You should always conduct your own accessibility investigation before you purchase a software package for your school. This way you will know whether or not the product you intend on buying is accessible. Here are two simple steps to guide you through the process: Step I. Request a demo or timed evaluation copy of the software from the product vender or developer in order to conduct your own evaluation. Invite the vendor or product developer to your facility for an on-site demo presentation. Be sure to arrange for a hands-on demo session. Step II. Evaluate the software product along the following accessibility functional performance criteria: (1) Keyboard Accessible? Your students or members of your staff should be able to use all of the essential features of the software application program with keyboard commands alone. They should be able to start the program, complete their work and close it without having to use the mouse or any other pointing device. (2) Voice-Command Software Compatible? The software should be compatible and operable with a voice-command driven user software interface. Your students or members of your staff should be able to start the program, complete their work and close it using a voiceinput software interface. (3) Screen Access Compatible? Your students or members of your staff who are blind or visually impaired should be able to work independently using screen reading or magnifying programs. The software should be compatible and interoperable with their screen access programs and allow them to start and complete their work without sighted assistance. (4) Important Notes: The software should not use * flashing or blinking text, objects, or other elements having a flash or blink frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. * Color-coding should not be used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element.

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Buying Accessible Technology

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1.3 Accessible Web-based Intranet and Internet Applications You should make sure that the individual(s) constructing your website has extensive knowledge of design guidelines and standards prescribed by the W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative and section 508 of the rehabilitation act. Evaluate how well your web-based intranet or internet applications conform to accessibility requirements using the following criteria as a guide: (1) Images and Non-Text Elements Accessible? A text equivalent for every non-text elements, i.e. images and graphics should be provided via “alt tag”, “longdesc” or an element content. (2) Multimedia Accessible? Equivalent alternatives, i.e. audio description or captioning should be provided and synchronized with any multimedia presentation. (3) Color-Coding As The Only Means Of Conveying Information? Web pages should be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color. (4) Loss Of Content When Style Sheets Are Disabled? Documents should be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet. (5) Row & Column Headers Identified For Data Tables? Row and column headers should be identified for data tables. Markup should be used to associate data and header cells when necessary. (6)

Frames Identified? Frames should be titled with text that facilitate their identification.

(7) Flickering Avoided? Web pages should be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker or keep the flickering frequency higher than 2Hz and lower than 55Hz. (8) Loss Of Content When Scripts Are Disabled? When scripting languages are utilized to display content or create interface elements, the information provided by the scripts should be identified with functional text that can be read by assistive technology. (9) Are Forms Accessible? Electronic forms that are designed to be completed on-line should allow persons using assistive technology to access the information, fields, elements and functionality required for completion and submission of the form.

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Buying Accessible Technology

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1.4 Accessible Video and Multimedia Products When purchasing, renting or setting up a multimedia production / tool, you should always be mindful of persons with sensory or cognitive disabilities, e.g. visual impairment, hearing impairment, or dyslexia, and take steps to insure that your multimedia product is of the accessible type. Here are some simple steps to guide you through the process: Step I. Arrange for a product demo either at your facility or at the vendor’s to allow you to assess the accessibility features of the product. Step II. Evaluate the multimedia product along the following accessibility features: (1) Content Audio Described? The multimedia production, e.g. instructional videos, should include narration that describes the visuals, e.g. action, scene changes, graphics and onscreen text. In other words, your students or members of your staff who are blind or visually impaired should have equivalent access to the multimedia content, whether audio or visual. (2) Content Captioned? The multimedia presentation, e.g. instructional videos should include captions to insure that persons who are deaf or hard of hearing have equivalent access to the audio component of the multimedia production. (3) Audio-Visual Equipment Caption & SAP Compatible? Hardware which are used to playback multimedia production, e.g. televisions and computers should be equipped with caption decoder and SAP (Secondary Audio Program ) in order to appropriately receive and play back captions and audio descriptions.

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Buying Accessible Technology

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1.5 Accessible Telecommunication Products When buying telecommunication products which include voice communication functionality, e.g. voice-mail messaging, auto-attendant, and interactive voice response systems, it is important to insure that these systems meet accessibility requirements. Here are some simple steps to guide you through the process: Step I. Arrange for a product demo either at your facility or at the vendor’s to allow you to assess the accessibility features of the product. Step II. Evaluate the telecommunication systems along the following accessibility features: (1) TTY Compatible? Your students or members of your staff who are deaf or hard of hearing should be able to interface and operate the system using their TTYs. (2) Timed Response Flexible? If the telecommunications systems requires a response from a user within a time interval, it should give an alert when the time interval is about to run out, and should provide sufficient time for the user to indicate that more time is needed. (3) Display Accessible? If the telecommunication system has caller identification or similar telecommunications functions, these should also be available for users of TTYs, and visually impaired persons. (4) Important Notes: Telecommunications products that allow a user to adjust the receive volume should provide a function to automatically reset the volume to the default level after every use. Interference to hearing technologies, e.g. hearing aids, cochlear implants, etc, should be reduced to the lowest possible level.

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Buying Accessible Technology

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1.6 Accessible Self Contained, Closed Products When purchasing office equipment, including but not limited to printers, fax machines and photocopiers, you should be mindful of accessibility requirements for these products because members of your current or future staff who have a disability should also be able to independently utilize these machines when they need to. Here are some simple steps to assist you in evaluating these products: Does Unit Have Built-in Accessibility Features? Closed units should have built-in accessibility features (see below). They should not require that external assistive technology devices be attached in order to render them accessible. Self contained products should be fully operable and usable by persons with disability at time of purchase. -- Flexible auditory output should be provided where visual prompts and readout displays are used. -- Alternative input methods should be provided where touchscreen controls are used. -- Color coding should not be used as the only means of conveying information. -- When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required. Miscellaneous Products which have mechanically operated controls or keys should comply with the following: (1) Are Controls & Keys Perceivable? Controls and keys should be tactilely discernible. In cases where this applies, the status of all locking or toggle controls or keys should be visually discernible, and discernible either through touch or sound. (2) Are Controls & Keys Operable? Controls and keys should be operable with one hand and should not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.

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Buying Accessible Technology

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Self Contained, Closed product Accessibility Checklist This checklist should help you evaluate the extent to which your office equipment (including — but not limited to — printers, fax machines, and copiers) is accessible. Equipment Type: Manufacturer: Model:

Question

YES NO N/A

1. If the unit has an adjustable receive volume, does it also provide a function that reset the volume level back to the default value after every use? 2. Are any displays — including liquid crystal displays — readable by persons who are in a seated position, such as those who use wheelchairs? 3. Is flexible auditory output provided where visual prompts and readout displays are used? 4. Is the force required to operate active controls no greater than 5 LB? 5. Can users confirm their selections? For instance, if a person has limited fine motor control, such as a person who has a palsy, it is helpful for him or her to have the opportunity to confirm selections — such as "number of copies" selected — before the operation begins. 6. Are controls and operating mechanisms operable with one hand and without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist? 7. Is color coding used as the only means of conveying information? 8. Are controls or keys tactilely discernible? In case where this applies, is the status of all locking or toggle controls or keys visually discernible and discernible through touch or sound? 9. Does unit provide alternate input methods where touchscreen controls are used? 10. Is the system timed response flexible? In other words, does it alert the user when time is about to run out and give them an option to indicate that more time is needed?

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Buying Accessible Technology

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Computer Software & On-Line Application Accessibility Checklist This checklist should help you evaluate the extent to which your computer software and on-line application is accessible. Equipment Type: Manufacturer: Model:

Question

YES NO N/A

1. Can the user work and interact with the software using keyboard alone? 2. Is the software compatible with and operable using voice command interface, e.g. Dragon Naturally Speaking? 3. Is the software compatible with and operable using screen access programs, e.g. screen magnifiers, screen readers? 4. Is the software using flashing or blanking text, objects or other elements with a flash or blank frequency greater than 2Hz and lower than 55Hz? 5. Is the software using color-coding as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response or distinguishing a visual element?

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Buying Accessible Technology

© 2004 - 2007

Video and Multimedia Tools Accessibility Checklist This checklist should help you evaluate the extent to which your video and multimedia tools are accessible. Equipment Type: Manufacturer: Model: Question

YES NO N/A

1. Does the multimedia presentation include narration that describes the visuals? 2. Does the multimedia production include captions? 3. Does the multimedia production equipment have caption decoder and Secondary Audio Program (SAP) for appropriately playing back captions and audio descriptions? 4. Is the multimedia using flashing or blanking text, objects or other elements with a flash or blank frequency greater than 2Hz and lower than 55Hz? 5. Are controls or keys tactilely discernible? In case where this applies, is the status of all locking or toggle controls or keys visually discernible and discernible through touch or sound?

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Buying Accessible Technology

© 2004 - 2007

Telecommunication Product Accessibility Checklist This checklist should help you evaluate the extent to which your telecommunication equipment (including — but not limited to — voice-mail messaging, auto-attendant, and interactive voice response systems) is accessible. Equipment Type: Manufacturer: Model: Question

YES NO N/A

1. Can the user operate and interface the telecommunication system using their TTYs? 2. Is the telecomm system timed response flexible? In other words, does it alert the user when time is about to run out and give them an option to indicate that more time is needed? 3. Are features like caller Id or other cues that are provided in a visual manner also available to users of TTYs and visually impaired persons? 4. If the telecomm product has an adjustable receive volume, does it also provide a function that reset the volume level back to the default value after every use? 5. Was the telecommunication product design such that interference with hearing technologies, e.g. hearing aids, cochlear implants, etc, is reduced to the lowest possible level?

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