Accessible Information & Communication Technology (ICT)

Under Kentucky law, the head of each covered entity (i.e. the state and other state-assisted organizations) shall ensure that all information technology equipment and software it uses for employees, program participants and the general public, will provide individuals with disabilities with access “that is equivalent to the access provided individuals who are not disabled” (KRS 61.982).

As a means of determining conformity with this provision, Kentucky law further defines that the level of access provided by covered entities must be in compliance with section 255 of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 access standards (36 C.F.R. 1194).

Although Kentucky’s Accessible Information Technology (AIT) law was passed in April of 2000, few covered entities are aware of its implications. It is unclear if formal policies have been formulated to help deal with this issue.

To be clear, all telecommunications, electronic and information technology products, services, and applications including web sites, which are procured, developed, or maintained by covered entities, including state and state-assisted organizations, shall comply with federal Section 508 Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards, 36 CFR Part 1194, and/or federal Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines, 36 CFR Part 1193, as applicable, as minimum criteria for accessibility.

Any contract for the procurement of information or telecommunication technology by, or for the use of, a covered entity, as defined in KRS 61.890(4), shall include a Technology Access Clause which shall be in compliance with section 255 of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 access standards (36 C.F.R. 1194) and shall establish alternative, including non-visual, access standards for use in the procurement of information technology by covered entities.

Accessible ICT Resources

• AT3 Center Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility Resource Roundup – Provides access to free archived webinars and links to resources on ICT accessibility that address many different aspects of the topic. Each has a brief description that captures some of the highlights that you will find on the website that the link points to. and more.
• W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WIA)
• W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 – The WCAG provides a technical standard for web content developers to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. The goal is to provide a single shared standard for web content accessibility that meets the needs of individuals, organizations, and governments internationally.
  • Introduction to Understanding WCAG 2.0
  • How to meet WCAG 2.0 Standards – Quick Reference
  • WCAG 2.0 Presentations
  • The four principles of WCAG 2.0 at a glance
  • WCAG for Non-Web Information and Communication Technology
  • PDF Techniques for WCAG 2.0
• WebAIM Website – Web Accessibility in Mind (AIM) provides comprehensive web accessibility solutions. Their work includes web site evaluation, site design, training, and web accessibility consulting. The WebAIM website provides a wealth of easy-to-understand information on making your website accessible so that you can reach the widest audience possible.
  • WAVE – Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool, provided by WebAIM (Online Version)
  • WAVE Chrome Extension
  • WebAIM Color Contrast Tool
  • Techniques and Resources for creating accessible PDF documents
• Accessible University Mock Website – Accessible University (AU) is a fictional university, with a fictional home page. The webpage is designed to demonstrate a variety of common web design problems that result in visitors with disabilities being unable to access the content or features of a web page. Although the heading at the top of the page suggests that AU may be a welcoming institution, the inaccessible design of the page sends the opposite message. This website is designed to demonstrate the most common accessibility barriers on the web today, as well as instruction on how to avoid these barriers. There is also an accessible version of the page available for comparison.
• The Paciello Group Color Contrast Analyser – The Colour Contrast Analyser (CCA) helps you determine the legibility of text and the contrast of visual elements, such as graphical controls and visual indicators.
• Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Training Resources – Adobe has created a series of accessibility guides for Adobe Acrobat Pro DC to assist content authors in creating accessible PDF documents.