Awareness, Dissemination & Business Cases
This program area seeks to help design and manage an innovative outreach program that can ensure that users are aware of what is available to them and all stakeholders are aware of RtF and its potential in their area.
Statistics and Studies Collection
The focus of this project is on collecting and analyzing disability statistics from around the world regarding the use of, and barriers to use of, the Web and related information and technologies by people experiencing barriers due to disability literacy or aging. It will also identify areas where better data is needed and facilitate research in these key areas. This includes information/research on underutilization. These data will be used both to help secure funding for the various projects and partners and to better direct the RtF efforts for best efficacy.
Outcome Measures/Business Cases
This is project is focused on using outcome measures and business cases to support advocates, policy makers, and people within companies in justifying accessibility efforts. Interested parties will assist, develop, and/or lead in the collection of data and use cases that show the broader efficacy of accessibility, including curbcuts. (e.g., a recent case that showed that the conversion of content to an accessible version saved money rather than incurring unreasonable costs)
This will include basic information and sample business cases as well as “how to” and “don't do” advice for building justifications and business cases.
Development of Outreach Materials
Currently, copyright issues are causing problems in making materials available in a usable form to individuals facing access problems. Although there has not been much objection to the use of screen readers and other assistive technologies on personal computers, the use of network-based solutions, and solutions built into mainstream products, has come under fire. There are some copyright exceptions for accessibility. But they only apply to some types of materials for some types of print disability. In addition, these rules vary from country to country. This task force will be working on identifying the issues, highlighting the problems, and working toward solutions so that the provision of accessibility tools and services is not blocked for some people, some types of material, or some countries.
Current Efforts, Projects, and Working Groups in this Area Include:
