3 ms·

And at least in the US, that’s how things were. Legislation changed that and forced the issue. Maybe we need an ADA update for the web? (There was a good movie

by erentz 8y ago

And at least in the US, that’s how things were. Legislation changed that and forced the issue. Maybe we need an ADA update for the web? (There was a good movie on the movement the created the ADA called Music Within for anyone wanting something to watch on the subject.)

extra88 8y ago
No we don't, law updates, regulation updates, and case law has made it clear that the principles of the ADA apply to websites as "places of public accommodation."
- erentz 8y ago
  Do you know if and how those updates translate to codes that need to be complied with? For example we have codes for ramps that specify the maximum grade, length, minimum platform size, etc. I’m wondering if something analogous needs to exist for the web. (Actual regulatory codes, not W3 standards or guidelines.) it would be “fairly” easy for something like USDS to define something like that for use for all Govt sites, and that could be enforced across agencies. Seems tricky for how you’d handle that with non Govt sites.
  - extra88 8y ago
    Section 508, which applies to government sites (and I think their contractors) used to have its own standards but is now aligned with WCAG 2.0 AA. Most countries have done the same. You're never going to have standards for software as clear-cut as architectural standards for ramps and such, the factors for software are too complex. There are only a few digital accessibility standards that are very specific, like color contrast between foreground and background at particular font sizes. There is a need for more specifics from the government in specific areas. For instance WCAG 2.0 AA says videos have to have captions but do you have to wait before making a video available until the captions are ready? If you have thousands of hours of uncaptioned video, would it be sufficient to produce captions by request with a reasonable turnaround time? TV broadcasters and DVD publishers have already had rules to follow but as video has become commonplace, regulations haven't kept up.

by erentz 8y ago

extra88 8y ago

No we don't, law updates, regulation updates, and case law has made it clear that the principles of the ADA apply to websites as "places of public accommodation."

erentz 8y ago
Do you know if and how those updates translate to codes that need to be complied with? For example we have codes for ramps that specify the maximum grade, length, minimum platform size, etc. I’m wondering if something analogous needs to exist for the web. (Actual regulatory codes, not W3 standards or guidelines.) it would be “fairly” easy for something like USDS to define something like that for use for all Govt sites, and that could be enforced across agencies. Seems tricky for how you’d handle that with non Govt sites.
- extra88 8y ago
  Section 508, which applies to government sites (and I think their contractors) used to have its own standards but is now aligned with WCAG 2.0 AA. Most countries have done the same. You're never going to have standards for software as clear-cut as architectural standards for ramps and such, the factors for software are too complex. There are only a few digital accessibility standards that are very specific, like color contrast between foreground and background at particular font sizes. There is a need for more specifics from the government in specific areas. For instance WCAG 2.0 AA says videos have to have captions but do you have to wait before making a video available until the captions are ready? If you have thousands of hours of uncaptioned video, would it be sufficient to produce captions by request with a reasonable turnaround time? TV broadcasters and DVD publishers have already had rules to follow but as video has become commonplace, regulations haven't kept up.