Inside Iowa State

Dec. 9, 2005

Web accessibility experts will discuss legal issues, 'how-tos'

by Diana Pounds

National experts on creating Web pages that can be accessed by those with disabilities will provide legal insights and design tips in a two-part, Web-based conference Jan. 30 and 31.

The conference ("Accessible Websites: Compliance and Design") should appeal not only to campus web designers, but others who are involved in setting Web policies for their departments or are interested in accessibility issues. Participants can sign up for one or both sessions.

The conference will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. both days in 206 Durham Building. The focus of the first session (Jan. 30) is legal issues. Topics will include laws covering Web accessibility in higher education and court cases that are establishing the legal landscape. The focus of the second session (Jan. 31) is how to design Web pages that are accessible.

The Web seminar will be taught by Sarah Horton, a Dartmouth College Web developer and Web book author, and Cyndi Rowland, who directs Utah State University's WebAIM, one of the world's top educational organizations on Web accessibility.

Register for the conference by calling 4-5357 or e-mailing celt@iastate.edu. Registration is free.

The conference is sponsored by Information Technology Services, the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, Disability Resources, Office of University Counsel, and University Relations.

• Jan. 30 and 31
• noon-1:30 p.m. (both days)
• 206 Durham Building
• Registration is free
• Register: 4-5357, celt@iastate.edu