SCN: government website accessibility

[patrick fisher]

I've tried that. But often it is like calling that number on the back of trucks that
say "How is my driving", and you call and the number is to the person driving the
truck.

Patrick

--- Lorraine Pozzi <femme2 at speakeasy.org> wrote:
> 
> As I understand it, governmental sites are supposed to be available
> to people with various disabilities - so a plain text version should
> be accessible.  Blind people, among others, use the Internet in 
> some surprising ways.  They've lobbied hard for access in a graphical
> environment.  So if the site doesn't work - maybe a note to the Web-
> master (person) pointing out violation of the ADA regs would be
> useful.
> 
> Lorraine
> -------------------------- 
> 
> On Tue, 26 Mar 2002, patrick fisher wrote:
> 
> > as anyone tried to hit a government web site, only to find out that they need
> the
> > latest and greatest browser? And to have that browswer they may need the latest
> adn
> > greatest operating system? And to have the OS, they may need the latest and
> greatest
> > hardware, possible?
> > 
> > And have you gone online to a government site to apply for a job and you need
> the
> > lastest version of MS Word? Not everyone has the lastest version of Word. Not
> > everyone owns a PC. Some of us have Macs and can't afford to have MS Office.
> > 
> > Why does the government make such a stink out of accessiblity for all people
> (which
> > is good, don't get me wrong), when information on its sites are restricted to a
> > certain class of people?
> > 
> > Why should I have to have the lastest browser (according to the Washington State
> > Parks site) in order to view a stupid park map? 
> > 
> > I must give credit to the Washington State Park system people for now telling me
> > that I can use Netscape version 4.7 and higher (their site said I needed the
> > lastest/greatest). I was pleasantly surprised at their responsiveness, and that
> they
> > did not tell Mac-me to go out and get a PC.
> > 
> > The county was recently helpful when something did not work right on their site
> > because I use a Mac.
> > 
> > Anyway, I assume that those who pass the laws probably have computers and DSL
> and
> > all that and are not considerate to the entire population. They eat their Prime
> Rib
> > and seven course meals at the capital while they cut food programs.
> > 
> > As you can probably ascertain, I have a certain opinion about this topic. I
> really
> > feel, that among all things, access to information (and education and all that
> good
> > stuff) is probably the most valuable asset a society can have. 
> > 
> > I suppose that this topic has been overlooked by the people who run the state
> and
> > local governments. Maybe not enough people have complained.
> > 
> > Even for some of us, we have internet access at work, we are using ancient
> browsers
> > (that is how things work in corporate America sometimes), and we can't have
> access
> > to sites as well.
> > 
> > What is my answer to this? I don't think SCN can influence legislation without
> > getting into trouble (I think, please don't quote me on this, and I don't think
> it
> > is SCN's mission). However, SCN can provide a place for forums to discuss this,
> as
> > part of the long-range plan to have more content and drive eyeballs to SCN.
> > 
> > My personal opinion on this: My suggestion is that I hope people with "lesser"
> > browsers and computer systems, will take the time to complain on this issue to
> those
> > sites that limit accessibility.
> > 
> > Okay, off my soapbox, and thank you,
> > Patrick
> > 
> > =====
> > Webmaster
> > Seattle Community Network
> > http://www.scn.org
> > "Powering our communities with technology"
> > 
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Movies - coverage of the 74th Academy Awards®
> > http://movies.yahoo.com/
> > * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  From the Listowner  * * * * * * * * * * * *
> > .	To unsubscribe from this list, send a message to:
> > majordomo at scn.org		In the body of the message, type:
> > unsubscribe scn
> > ==== Messages posted on this list are also available on the web at: ====
> > * * * * * * *     http://www.scn.org/volunteers/scn-l/     * * * * * * *
> > 
> 


=====
Webmaster
Seattle Community Network
http://www.scn.org
"Powering our communities with technology"

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Movies - coverage of the 74th Academy Awards®
http://movies.yahoo.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *  From the Listowner  * * * * * * * * * * * *
.	To unsubscribe from this list, send a message to:
majordomo at scn.org		In the body of the message, type:
unsubscribe scn
==== Messages posted on this list are also available on the web at: ====
* * * * * * *     http://www.scn.org/volunteers/scn-l/     * * * * * * *