The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48845

Sarah E. Pfau, MPH, Department of Maternal and Child Health, UNC Chapel Hill, Rosenau Hall, Campus Box 7445, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7445, 919-966-3773, sarah_pfau@unc.edu, Sarah Paliulis, Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina, Rosenau Hall, Campus Box 7445, School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7445, and Anita M. Farel, DrPH, Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, 426 Rosenau Hall, CB# 7445, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7545.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that electronic and information technology—including web sites—provided by Federal agencies be accessible to individuals with vision, hearing, and motor disabilities. The Data Skills Online distance learning web site (http://www.sph.unc.edu/toolbox/) in the UNC-CH School of Public Health provides analytic and technical self-instructional tools for public health professionals. Limitations of the WebCT courseware used to manage the tools and ways in which the HTML programming can be modified for enhanced interaction with text reader software have been identified. HTML alt-tags are included in web page programming so text readers can accurately describe images. Text equivalents for multi-media, audio, and Flash content via captioning and transcripts are also provided. All previously created PDF files are being repaired for accessibility. As a result of this work, project staff will develop an informational web page that includes a set of guidelines for web accessibility implementation in the context of WebCT courseware limitations.While post-secondary education institutions are accountable to Section 508 because they accept Federal funding, many do not have policies established. However, UNC Chapel Hill has written guidelines for the implementation of web accessibility features in the university’s distance learning web pages. Working with the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), a customized, self-instructional technical “tool” for making public health distance learning web sites accessible to persons with disabilities will be designed. The tool will have the potential for broad application in post-secondary education institutions with distance education web sites.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Recognize key web accessibility features set forth by Section 508 legislation and UNC Chapel Hill written guidelines for distance learning web pages.
• Access free ‘evaluation and repair’ software and evaluate a distance learning web site.
• Benefit from a synopsis of lessons learned by Data Skills Online staff in the evaluation and modification of a distance learning web site for web accessibility compliance.

Keywords: Distance Education Development, Disability

Related Web page: www.sph.unc.edu/toolbox/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment