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Web 508 Accessibility Policy
In response to the need to insure equal access to electronic and information technologies, Office of Disability Concerns (O.D.C.) utilizes a set of standards for Web page design. Just as environmental obstacles have inhibited individuals with disabilities, the Web poses an entirely new set of obstacles. In recognition of those individuals with visual, physical or developmental disabilities O.D.C. has adopted a policy to make government information accessible to all.
It has been estimated that 54 million people or 20.6 percent of all Americans have some level of disability. According to the Disability Statistics Center:
People with disabilities will work in greater numbers, in part because of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Between 1991 and 1994, the number of disabled Americans employed increased by more than 1.1 million, according to the Census Bureau. Employment rates for young adults with severe disabilities are triple that of their older counterparts.
Education rates for people with disabilities are increasing: 75 percent of them finished high school in 1994, up from 60% in 1986; their college enrollment leapt from 29 percent to 44 percent.
Technological advances are eliminating many of the physical and informational barriers that have long existed for people with disabilities.
Public awareness of disability issues is growing and changing.
America's population is aging, and disability increases with age. The number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to increase 135% between 1995 and 2050, according to the Census Bureau.
Instructions will be provided for individuals with disabilities, visual disabilities and for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
These standards are influenced by those recommended by the W3C and Access Board Section 508 Guidelines. The Access Board is responsible for developing the standards outlined by the amended Rehabilitation Act of 1998. Universal design calls for appropriate use auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure communication.
O.D.C. has adopted the Design of HTML Pages to increase accessibility to users with disabilities as the primary guideline to meet the objectives of the Universal Access for State Design policy. These published guidelines are maintained by professionals trained in the area of assistive and information technology.
O.D.C. embraces these standards and will be evaluating our site on a regular basis, increasing the opportunity for all individuals to access information over the Internet. The Universal Access Design Standards are being integrated into this web site and will continue to evolve as new technologies and opportunities emerge.
In addition to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, O.D.C. recognizes Section 508 standards are more specific in specific areas:
Flicker 1194.22 (j) Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz.
Skip Navigation 1194.22 (o) A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links
Timed Responses 1194.22 (p) When a timed response is required, a user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required.
NOTE: While the content and services located directly on this site comply, the portal cannot guarantee that links to sites outside the portal architecture are accessible. O.D.C. is not responsible for those entities.
Resources:
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative
Help Us Help You
If you are having difficulty accessing our website, please contact webmaster@odc.ok.gov. Please include as much information as you can so we can identify the problem and try to resolve it. Our office will contact you by email or phone.
If we are unable to resolve your issue you may file a complaint by contacting the Accessibility Compliance Representative by phone or by email. The email to file a complaint is dalene.barton@odc.ok.gov.
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