Accessibility for Everybody: Understanding the Section 508 Accessibility Requirements: Understanding the Section 508 Accessibility Requirements (Books for Professionals by Professionals)

While other books are looking to the Web and people with disabilities to focus attention on accessibility issues, Accessibility for Everybody: Understanding the Section 508 Accessibility Requirements looks that whole picture — accessibility for everyone in every environment. The U.S. government quickly realized that they have a wealth of older applications that will never appear on the Internet, but require some type of remedial upgrade to make them more accessible. The Section 508 rules don't just touch on the Internet, they provide rules about every aspect of computer use. Issues such as how to build accessible furniture or adding accessibility features to the phone system cannot be addressed within the scope of this book, but the book will touch on every issue the average Windows developer is going to want to know about. Eventually, the vast majority of developers will recognize the need to add accessibility as one of the design goals for any application. However, one of the issues hindering that goal is the language used to convey the legal requirements for accessibility. This book seeks to remove the artificial hurdles presented by the language of the law by presenting the information in plain English. In short, this book about accessibility will make the Section 508 requirements more accessible to the average developer. Web sites, programming examples, sources of additional information, and other aids to make the job easier are included.

Mueller, a freelance author and technical editor, explains concepts related to accessibility in software design. He looks at requirements for both desktop and Web applications, based on Section 508 laws, and discusses issues related to resources and training, hardware, developer guidelines, and Microsoft Active Accessibility. A list of organizations and agencies is included. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

In today's rapidly changing technological world, it is increasingly important that web and desktop applications be accessible to everyone, including those of us with special needs. However, the legal requirements for accessibility are often convoluted and diffucult to understand, making it impossible for most developers to comply with the laws. In the first book on the market to address the topic, Author John Paul Mueller leads you through the maze of Section 508?the congressional law ensuring that all Americans have access to information technology?and offers comprehensive guidance on how to quickly and easily update your applications to conform to Section 508 requirements.

To begin, Mueller outlines the Section 508 requirements that are relevant to web and desktop application developers, and explains the laws in language you can understand. Using extensive and varied program examples, Mueller continues on to teach you to write web and desktop applications that not only conform to Section 508 standards, but look forward to ensure long-term universal accessibility for all types of computer users. Specific topics include writing accessible web applications and desktop applications using Visual Basic .NET and Visual C# .NET, developing special application capabilities, using Microsoft and other third-party tools to develop accessible features, developing accessible scripting solutions, and more. The book even includes a directory of helpful organizations, agencies, and resources to help you with any further accessibility concerns you may have.

Introduction.- Part I An Overview of Section 508 Accessibility: 1 What is Section 508 Accessibility?; 2 Understanding the Section 508 Requirements; 3 Hardware, Resources, and Training; 4 Developer Guidelines that Make Sense.- Part II Writing Accessible Desktop Applications: 5 Desktop Application Essentials; 6 Using Microsoft Active Accessibility; 7 Adding Usage Cues to Desktop Applications; 8 Developing Special Desktop Application Capabilities.- Part III Writing Accessible Web Applications: 9 Web Site Essentials; 10 Designing Easily Maintained Web Sites; 11 Adding Usage Cues to Web Applications; 12 Developing Special Web Application Capabilities.- 13 Accessible Scripting Solutions.- Part IV Glossary and Appendices; Index.