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GNOME 2.0 Desktop and Developer Platform was released. I've been impressed by GNOME's efforts to make Linux, etc., accessible. They focused on improving the user experience for all users. Their work in this area has unfortunately been largely overlooked.
The BBC News article, "Access all areas of the web", aims to raise awareness about Web accessibility, especially for blind users. It mentions a little about how screenreaders work and discuss problems posed by sites designed using older versions of Macromedia Flash.
"Tech Access Law: Slow Progress" is another article updating people on the one year anniversary of the U.S. Section 508 (accessibility) guidelines. It discusses the slow, but steady efforts of government entities to achieve compliance and highlights the effects it has had on private companies that want to create compliant products for government purchase.
People are already starting to announce and honor the one year anniversary of the U.S. Section 508 accessibility guidelines. This Thursday, the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus will hold an event in Washington, D.C. to update the acceptance of the guidelines.
Webcasts of last week's Accessibility Forum in Washington, D.C. are now available online. You may view speeches, as well as the panel sessions about current implementation of U.S. Section 508 accessibility guidelines.
The most recent issue of the Educational Technology Review features various articles devoted to Web accessibility and universal design as they relate to online learning.
Oh, happy day! The Web Standards Project returns with a new look and a new initiative— educating Web professionals on implementing Web standards. They link to some invaluable resources for learning more about the standards. It makes sense that part of their focus is also on Web accessibility and accessing Web content from "alternative" devices, (including wireless devices). Consider them another ally in spreading awareness and knowledge about Web accessibility.
Five site-accessibility tips to help comply with Section 508 is a short article by Kevin Hunnicutt. It offers general tips to make your site more accessible.
Macromedia and Jakob Nielsen team up to improve Flash MX. It will be interesting to see what improvements will come from this odd partnership. I especially want to see improved accessibility features that will make Flash MX more usable for disabled users.
The Miami Herald has a Web accessibility article, "Make your site accessible to all". The information is very general, but additional awareness and publicity is always welcomed. It also has this wonderful quotation from Tom McCain that explains the importance of Web accessibility for e-commerce sites: "You wouldn't build a storefront with a door that prevented one out of 10 of your potential customers from coming in".
