UGA Web Accessibility Group
Global Accessibility Awareness Day - May 9th
On May 9, we invite you to participate in Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of the day is to get people talking, thinking and learning about digital accessibility and users with different disabilities.
For an hour that day, we invite you to experience digital accessibility firsthand: turn off your computer speakers and try accessing web-based videos; turn off your monitor and try accessing websites through hearing rather than sight; unplug your mouse and try navigating websites with only your keyboard; remove semantic structure and try understanding the contents of websites and web-based documents.
Need help?
If you are unable to complete these tasks, your websites or web-based content may not be accessible for all audiences. To learn more about how to create accessible web content, please visit our Resources page where you will find helpful information for creating accessible web content.
Would you like to run a quick accessibility check on your college or department website? Are you looking for help getting started with free accessibility tools and checkers? If so, the Web Accessibility Group (WAG) can help!
On May 9 from 11:30am-3:30pm at the entrance to the UGA Main Library (Athens Campus), we are celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). Stop by the GAAD Information table for a quick check of your website using the free WAVE accessibility checker. Handouts and sweet treats will also be provided!
WAG members from Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, UGA Disability Resource Center, the College of Education, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and EITS will be on-hand to run a quick check on your website and talk about ways to improve your website accessibility.
Join us on May 9 from 11:30am-3:30pm at the UGA Main Library -- we look forward to seeing you there!
Remember, accessibility matters in higher education!About Us
The Web Accessibility Group (WAG) at UGA began in May 2011. Our goal is to share and discuss strategies, techniques and resources for meeting Section 508 compliance as it pertains to websites and web content. We also seek to inform others throughout the University System of Georgia about relevant training seminars on web accessibility and provide information about the forthcoming Section 508 Refresh (an update of the existing Section 508 standards originally published in 1998). Our group is open to individuals at institutions throughout the University System of Georgia.
Background
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 requires that web-based information and data be equally accessible to individuals with and without disabilities. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has determined that institutions under the Board of Regents fall within the scope of Section 508. Web designers and web content providers must ensure 508-compliance of their content prior to making it available via the worldwide web.
Resources
Please visit our Resources page for assistance in complying with Section 508. All are welcome to join the WAG listserv to post questions and learn about upcoming training opportunities on Section 508 compliance.
WAG Listserv
Everyone is invited to join the WAG listserv.
Listserv archives are available for those who join. Past discussion topics include: YouTube Video Compliance, Section 508 Refresh, FCC Internet Captioning Rules (TV over IP), NFB and Penn State Resolve Accessibility Complaints, Accessible PDFs, free online webinar announcements, accessibility tips and more!
Current membership includes personnel from the following 22 USG institutions: Armstrong Atlantic State University, Bainbridge State College, Clayton State University, College of Coastal Georgia, Columbus State University, Darton State College, East Georgia State College, Fort Valley State University, Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia Highlands College, Georgia Perimeter College, Georgia Regents University, Georgia Southern University, Georgia State University, Gordon State College, Kennesaw State University, South Georgia College, University of Georgia, University of North Georgia, University of West Georgia, Valdosta State University and the University System of Georgia.
Monthly Meetings
The UGA Web Accessibility Group (WAG) meets the first Wednesday of every month in Athens.
Our Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 from 10:00-11:30am in the Lobby Conference Room of the Disability Resource Center located in Clark Howell Hall (UGA Athens Campus).
Topic
Discussion: 1) Wrap-up of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), and 2) Automated Checkers (HiSoftware, Compliance Sheriff)
Directions
Clark Howell Hall is located on central campus near the Tate Student Center and across from Legion Pool. The street address is 825 S. Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA. Parking is available in the Tate Student Center Parking Deck (pay lot) or behind Clark Howell Hall if you have a UGA DP pass.
Spotlight on Past Events
Online Webinar held Wednesday Dec 7, 2011 from 12noon - 2pm
The captioned webinar recording is available via the USG iTunes channel. Select "Online Faculty Development Series 2011-2012, then you *must* select the Video tab (the default is to open a preview only unless you select the Video tab).
Handouts
Section 508 Compliance and Online Course Content
Section 508 requires that electronic and information technology be equally accessible to persons with and without disabilities. The Board of Regents of University System of Georgia has determined that institutions under the BOR fall within the scope of Section 508. In this session online, Janet will talk about how to design Section 508-compliant online courses including: course structure, color scheme, layout, navigation, hyperlinks, backgrounds, and images. She will also discuss strategies and resources for creating accessible course content: documents, audio-narrated presentations, and multimedia files (audio/video). This information applies whether you are placing course content on a website or within your online course.
This presentation will be captioned using Collaborate's integrated Closed Captioning system, which allows for synchronized captions in both the live and recorded sessions. In addition, participants can change the caption font size as needed, relocate or resize the caption window, and save a copy of the caption transcript for future reference. We are happy to be able to provide this Closed Caption as a model of what can be accomplished.
