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James G. Natoli |
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Director of
State Operations |
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Office for Technology
Technology Policy 99-3 |
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Subject: |
Universal Accessibility for New York State
Web Sites [Supplement to 96-13] |
Date: |
September 30, 1999 |
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Purpose
The purpose of this technology policy is to require that all
New York State agencies web sites provide universal accessibility
to persons with disabilities.
Overview
The World Wide Web (WWW) is a valuable resource for information
sharing and communication. However, the very features, including
graphics and sound, that make it useful and exciting for some
individuals present potential barriers to others. In 1998, a
work group was formed to make recommendations to the New York
State Office for Technology on improving access to State agency
information via the WWW. This group, the New York State Accessibility
to Information Technology Work Group, co-hired by the New York
State Office for Technology and the New York State Advocate's
Office for Persons with Disabilities, consists of agency technical
and policy staff as well as consumers; this policy is a result
of their recommendations.
Policy
It is the policy of the State that persons with disabilities
have access to information-via the World Wide Web-which is equivalent
to that available to persons without disabilities. Page two of
this document contains references to Federal and State legislation
and regulations governing an agency's responsibility to provide
access technology for persons with disabilities.
The technologies that allow us to design, create and access
the WWW are constantly evolving. The World Wide Web Consortium
(W3C), an international industry consortium of over 300 organizations,
was created to exploit the Web to its full potential by developing
common protocols to promote its evolution and ensure interoperability.
The State of New York has adopted the W3C Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines (http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/) as a
means to provide optimal access to State agency web sites and
the content therein. As a matter of policy, each agency is responsible
for applying the most current version of these guidelines in
the design, creation and maintenance of any official New York
State agency web site. It is expected that the guidelines will
be applied to all newly developed content/pages effective immediately.
Existing content/pages should be prioritized and modified over
time (but no later than one year from the date of this technology
policy). Web content shall conform with level "A,"
satisfying all priority one checkpoints. In addition, each site
must have a contact mechanism so individuals who might have trouble
accessing any portion of the site can report the problem.
Agency Head and Commissioners are required to designate a
staff person to be responsible for implementing this policy.
This responsibility includes dissemination of the W3C Guidelines
and subsequent updates to appropriate persons. Appropriate persons
include, but are not limited to, all New York State agency staff
who are responsible for Web site and/or Web content development
and any consultant or vendors who develop Web sites and/or content
for a New York State agency web site. The guidelines are attached.
Agencies are responsible for monitoring the W3C site for updates.
Guidelines
The W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines explain how
to make your Web content accessible to persons with disabilities.
The Guidelines do not discourage content developers from using
images, video, etc., but rather explain how to make all content
more accessible to a wider audience. The complete document, Web
Content Accessibility Guidelines, can be accessed on-line.
A list of checkpoints, site validation information and techniques
for implementing the guidelines are also available on-line.
Statutory References
- Executive Chamber Memorandum, April 11, 1996--Equal Access
to State Agency Employment, Programs and Services for Individuals
with Disabilities
- Technology Policy 96-13; dated November 17, 1996
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Public Law 101-336
- Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Section 508
- Workforce Investment Act of 1998; Public Law 105-220; Section
508
Additional Information
For further information on this policy, please contact the New
York State Office for Technology at (518) 473-5622.
All technology policies are available in alternate formats
(large print, disk and braille). Requests should be made to:
- New York State Office for Technology
Executive Chamber
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
(518) 473-5622
or
E-mail to: nyoft@oft.state.ny.us
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