• VA IT Accessibility Standard
• Upcoming Accessibility Classes
• Toolkit
• Roadmap to Accessibility Video
  
  
  

VITA Classes for Virginia State Agencies & Schools

MAKING VIRGINIA´S TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBLE

An accessible and universal design approach to technology is critical to State agencies and schools wishing to serve individuals with disabilities, which are one of the largest and fastest growing minority groups throughout the world.

In Virginia, VITA and DRS have launched an energetic effort to encourage compliance to the Virginia IT Accessibility Standard for all technology procurements throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

TecAccess offers a number of classes designed to help you understand and comply with the Virginia IT Accessibility Standard and VITA requirements. Our classes currently include:

• TEC-VA-001 Understanding & Implementing the Virginia IT Accessibility Standard GOV103-00
• TEC-SW-001 Developing Accessible Websites and Content
• TEC-SW-002 Developing Accessible Software Applications
• TEC-SW-003 Using VPATs in the IT Procurement Process

To see how our IT Accessibility Training can help you understand and meet this standard, try out our new TRAINING ANALYSIS CHART.

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Upcoming Accessibility Classes

Developing Accessible Software TEC-SW-002
(Please contact the TecAccess Training Manager for current dates and location of this class.)

This full-day IT accessibility workshop kicks-off with a brief review of the applicable Section 508 standards, then moves directly into more technical training focused on developing accessible and standards-compliant software applications. This course is intended for program managers, project managers, IT department managers, webmasters, developers and IT technical staff responsible for managing, developing or maintaining accessible enterprise and client-based software applications.

• This course will begin with a brief review of the practical implications of Section 508 standards.
• The workshop will focus on the technical considerations dealing with handling of graphic objects, understanding "focus", interface elements, animation, use of color and other technical considerations (or alternatives) when developing accessible software applications. The methodology will be "This is the specific requirement; here is how you comply with it".
• Best Practices for incorporating accessibility and compliance to Section 508 standards will be addressed as part of the course.
• A "live demo" illustrating the practical challenges experienced by users dependent on fully accessible IT will be provided during the class.
• Participants will be provided the knowledge, tools and "know how" to develop fully accessible software applications that meet both the requirements of Section 508 and the needs of your target audiences.

Course Materials will be provided to students on a fully accessible CD-ROM on the day of the class. This course is $695 payable in advance by credit card, check or purchase order. Volume discounts of $50 per student are available for 5 or more students. Cancellation policy: Fees are not refundable. Students will receive a voucher for another class, good for one year from date of issue. Vouchers must be requested in advance of class date.

The Role of VPATs in Procurement TEC-SW-003
(Please contact the TecAccess Training Manager for current dates and location of this class.)

This is a fast paced, comprehensive course focusing on the relevance and use of VPATs as they apply to IT procurement. VPATs can assist you in meeting IT accessibility compliance requirements such as Section 508, the business requirements of your organization and the accessibility needs of the end users of the IT products and services you specify or procure. The course is intended for procurement personnel, legal representatives, IT department managers, program managers and project managers responsible for specifying, developing or procuring IT on behalf of government agencies, corporations and educational institutions. The course is designed to provide a clear and concise understanding of how VPATs can be employed to procure fully accessible IT products and services for federal agencies.
Course modules include:

• Module 1- Origin & Relevance of VPATs
• Module 2- How VPATs are Structured
• Module 3- Acquiring VPATs and supplemental VPAT data
• Module 4- Analyzing VPAT Data
• Module 5- Comparing VPATs from Multiple Suppliers to Determine "Best Fit"
• Module 6- Course Review and Question & Answer

Course Materials will be provided to students on a fully accessible CD-ROM on the day of the class. This course is $395 payable in advance by credit card, check or purchase order. Volume discounts of $50 per student are available for 5 or more students. Cancellation policy: Fees are not refundable. Students will receive a voucher for another class, good for one year from date of issue. Vouchers must be requested in advance of class date.

Implementing the VA IT Access Std TEC-VA-001
(Please contact the TecAccess Training Manager for current dates and location of this class.)

This half day course is intended for program managers, project managers, procurement officers and IT department managers responsible for developing or procuring IT products and services.

• The problems, benefits and legal implications of the VA IT Accessibility Standard will be discussed in detail
• Participants will gain a practical understanding of this important standard
• Participants will understand how the VA IT Accessibility Standard´s requirements can be incorporated into an agency´s existing business processes to meet the needs of both the agency and the end users.

Course Materials will be provided to students on a fully accessible CD-ROM on the day of the class. This course is $395 payable in advance by credit card, check or purchase order. Volume discounts of $50 per student are available for 5 or more students. Cancellation policy: Fees are not refundable. Students will receive a voucher for another class, good for one year from date of issue. Vouchers must be requested in advance of class date.

Developing Accessible Websites TEC-SW-001
(Please contact the TecAccess Training Manager for current dates and location of this class.)

This full-day IT accessibility workshop will kick-off with a brief review of Section 508, then move directly into more technical training focused on developing and maintaining accessible websites and content. This exciting course is intended for program managers, project managers, IT department managers, webmasters and IT technical staff responsible for managing, developing or maintaining websites.

• This course will review the practical implications of the Section 508 standards.
• The workshop will focus on the technical considerations dealing with navigation, keyboard controls, form labeling, table coding, plug-ins and other practical implications and technologies important to developing fully accessible websites and web content. The methodology will be "This is the specific requirement; here is how you comply with it".
• Best Practices for incorporating accessibility and compliance to Section 508 will be addressed as part of the course.
• A "live demo" illustrating the practical challenges experienced by users dependent on fully accessible IT will be provided during the class.
• Participants will be provided the knowledge, tools and "know how" to develop fully accessible websites and web content that meets both the requirements of Section 508 and the needs of your target audiences.

Course Materials will be provided to students on a fully accessible CD-ROM on the day of the class. This course is $695 payable in advance by credit card, check or purchase order. Volume discounts of $50 per student are available for 5 or more students. Cancellation policy: Fees are not refundable. Students will receive a voucher for another class, good for one year from date of issue. Vouchers must be requested in advance of class date.

To register, call Vanessa Williams, (904) 683-4698
Email vwilliams@tecaccess.net

Download the Registration Form and send it to Mac.
TecAccess Class Registration Form (A Word Document)

TecAccess also offers an array of award winning Section 508, VPAT, and JAWs courses!

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Toolkit

In Virginia, Executive Branch agencies must meet the accessibility requirements contained in the Code of Virginia. TecAccess is proud to work with Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) in providing the Information Technology Accessibility Toolkit to all Commonwealth of Virginia agencies as an on-line resource containing the consistent methodology to Virginia state employees as they work to achieve IT accessibility across all state agencies.

Toolkit Content

The actual content of the online toolkit will be expanded based on the needs of VITA and Commonwealth of Virginia agencies. Following is a list of current topics that can be customized to meet the needs of each agency.

• Alternative Text Guidelines
• Basics of Captioning for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Best Practices for Writing Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
• Developing Accessible E-Learning
• Developing Accessible Software Applications and Content
• Developing Accessible Telecommunications
• Developing Alternative Formats
• External Resources - Where to Get Help
• Insights into Accessibility Testing Tools: Are They Enough?
• Legacy Systems and Accessibility
  

VITA IT Accessibility Toolkit: http://www.vita.virginia.gov/uploadedFiles/ Library/Accessibility/VITAAccessibility ToolkitOverview.pdf

Download the lastest Adobe Reader to view the PDF file.

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Roadmap to Accessibility Video

Debra Ruh´s April 19, 2006 VA IT Accessibility presentation is now on video. Please call
804-503-9231 for further details.

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