IT Accessibility Review
Volume 1, Number 1
Accessibility Resources
Center Provides IT Accessibility Assistance
To keep the public updated on IT accessibility issues and legislation, the Georgia Institute of Technology has established the Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center (ITTATC). ITTATC improves awareness and availability of accessible E&IT products and services. The center also provides information and resources regarding E&IT solutions and opportunities. Additionally, ITTATC creates educational material about accessibility for developers, marketers, and buyers of E&IT products and services.
To discover what ITTATC has to offer, visit its website at:
http://www.ittatc.org/about/mission.cfm.
Relay Services through Instant Messaging
Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities can throw away their teletypewriters (TTY´s)! Thanks to an agreement between MCI and America Online (AOL), hearing and/or speech impaired individuals can conduct telephone conversations using AOL´s Instant Messaging (AIM) or Apple iChat. Interested users can "ping" a communication assistant on AIM to converse with people who use standard telephones. All the person with the communication disorder needs is the telecommunications relay service´s screen name, MyIPRelay, on his Buddy List.
- More on Relay Service
Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities
Spurred by persons in wheelchairs who were trapped in the World Trade Center on September 11, President Bush issued an Executive Order on Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities. The order calls for government agencies to be responsible for employees and customers with disabilities in emergency planning. It will also request cooperation among government entities to implement emergency preparedness plans regarding individuals with disabilities. In addition, President Bush will establish the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities under the leadership of Homeland Security.
You can read the complete Executive Order at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/orders/.
Virtual Game Offers Real ADA Training
Even though the ADA has existed since 1990, many people still don´t know enough about the landmark legislation. A fun way to learn more while building virtual accessible communities is by playing the ADA Game. The online game focuses on training, leadership, and community planning. Players gain knowledge and points by answering multiple-choice questions about the law and its application to real-life situations. The points go towards individual or group efforts to make one of eight virtual cities more accessible for persons with disabilities. Of course, the ADA Game itself is completely accessible.
To start playing, go to:
www.adagame.org.
