Accessibility of Web‐based information resources for people with disabilities (part two): introduction
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830210452596 |
| Date | 01 December 2002 |
| Published date | 01 December 2002 |
| Pages | 397-398 |
| Author | Axel Schmetzke |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Accessibility of
Web-based information
resources for people
with disabilities
(part two): introduction
Axel Schmetzke
The previous special-theme issue of Library Hi
Tech (Vol. 20 No. 2) focused mainly on a
variety of specific information resources
commonly provided by libraries:
.online catalogs;
.electronic indexes and databases;
.e-journals; and
.online references works.
The idea was to take first steps towards filling
the current dearth of knowledge that librarians,
concerned with providing access to all their
users, face when trying to make informed
procurement decisions. This issue deals with
accessibility issues, as they emerge in the library
and education environment, which are not
specifically tied to particular vendor-supplied
information products.
The first two articles in this selection address
legal aspects: Noble describes the public policy
framework that establishes the legal foundation
for requiring barrier-free Web-based
information resources. Yu, after also providing
some legal background information, focuses on
the implementation of the law by first detailing,
in general terms, various barriers in the
implementation of the law, and then by
discussing the particular efforts undertaken by
California Community Colleges.
The third article, by Burgstahler, focuses on a
rapidly growing area in education that is of
particular interest to students whose disability
makes it difficult, or impossible, to be physically
present on campus: distance education. After
discussing access, legal and policy issues, the
author provides an overview of course design
principles sensitive to the needs of distance
learners with disabilities.
Increasingly, Web-based learning
environments are established with the help of
special programs, commonly referred to as
courseware. Such programs are increasingly
employed not only in the context of distance
education but also in support of on-campus
instruction. While not an information resource
as such, the instructional environment created
by courseware often serves as a gateway to
library-provided information sources and thus
deserves the attention of librarians. Two articles
deal with this subject: by reviewing the
Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines issued
by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI),
The author
Axel Schmetzke is Librarian/Associate Professor at the
Library, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point,
Wisconsin, USA. E-mail: aschmetz@uwsp.edu
Keywords
Disabled people, Blind people, Information technology
Abstract
The previous special-theme issue of
Library Hi Tech
(Vol. 20
No. 2) focused mainly on a variety of specific information
resources commonly provided by libraries: online catalogs,
electronic indexes and databases, e-journals and online
references works. This issue deals with accessibility issues,
as they emerge in the library and education environment,
which are not specifically tied to particular vendor-supplied
information products.
Electronic access
The research register for this journal is available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregisters
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
Guest editorial
397
Library Hi Tech
Volume 20 .Number 4 .2002 .pp. 397±398
#MCB UP Limited .ISSN 0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378830210452596
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