Accessibility is a general term used to describe the degree
to which a system is usable, perceivable and understandable by as
many people as possible. In the context of the Accessibility
Technology Initiative, accessibility is the ability to access
information and services by minimizing the barriers of distance,
cost and usability of the interface. In many countries, this has
led to initiatives, laws and regulations that aim toward
providing universal access to the internet and to phone systems
at reasonable cost to citizens.
AccMonitor
AccMonitor is HiSoftware's comprehensive server platform that
enables validation of web content for compliance with standards
and accessibility policies. AccMonitor and AccVerify have been
replaced by Compliance Sheriff.
AccVerify
A module of AccMonitor that validates web sites for
compliance with accessibility policies. AccMonitor and AccVerify
have been replaced by Compliance Sheriff.
ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act
ADA Compliance Office
The
ADA Compliance Office works with the campus to
monitor physical and program access, support the implementation
of the Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI), and ensure equal
access for persons with disabilities at SJSU.
Alternate formats
Alternate formats usable by people with disabilities may
include, but are not limited to, Braille, ASCII text, large
print, recorded audio and electronic formats that comply with
this part.
Alternate methods
Different means of providing information, including product
documentation, to people with disabilities. Alternate methods may
include, but are not limited to, voice, fax, relay service, TTY,
Internet posting, captioning, text-to-speech synthesis and audio
description.
Alternative text
Textual information that describes an image on a Web
page.
Assistive technology
Any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether acquired
commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly used to
increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of
individuals with disabilities.
ATAC
Academic Technology Advisory Committee
ATI
Accessible Technology Initiative
B
C
CAM
CSU Center for Accessible Media
Captioning
Captions are text versions of the spoken word. Captions allow
the content of web audio and video to be accessible to those who
do not have access to audio.
Cascading Style Sheets is a stylesheet language used to
describe the presentation of a document written in a markup
language. Its most common application is to style web pages
written in HTML and XHTML, but the language can be applied to any
kind of XML document. The CSS specifications are maintained by
the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) (as defined by
Wikipedia)
CSU
California State University
D
Data table
A table on a Web page that contains information arranged in
rows and columns. Data tables must have row and/or column
headings.
Includes information technology and any equipment or
interconnected system or subsystem of equipment, that is used in
the creation, conversion or duplication of data or
information.
EnAct
Ensuring Access through Collaboration and Technology
EO
Executive Order
F
G
H
HiCaption
HiCaption is HiSoftware's tool to help web content developers
quickly create synchronized captions for web multimedia.
HiSoftware
Tool for web content accessibility validation.
HTML
Hypertext Markup Language
I
IT
Information Technology
Information Technology
Any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of
equipment, that is used in the automatic acquisition, storage,
manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching,
interchange, transmission or reception of data or information.
The term information technology includes computers, ancillary
equipment, software, firmware and similar procedures, services
(including support services), and related resources.
ITAC
Information Technology Advisory Committee
J
JAWS
JAWS is screen reading software. It converts text information
on a computer screen to spoken words.
K
L
LMS
Learning Management System
Layout table
A layout table is used to position elements on a Web page.
Typically, a layout table will consist of one row and several
columns. Layout tables should not have row or column headings.
M
N
O
Operable controls
A component of a product that requires physical contact for
normal operation. Operable controls include, but are not limited
to, mechanically operated controls, input and output trays, card
slots, keyboards or keypads.
Sec. 504.(a) No otherwise qualified individual with a
disability in the United States, as defined in section 7(20),
shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded
from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity
receiving Federal financial assistance or under any program or
activity conducted by any Executive agency or by the United
States Postal Service.
Section 508
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires access to
electronic and information technology procured by Federal
agencies. The Access Board developed accessibility standards for
the various technologies covered by the law. These standards have
been folded into the Federal government's procurement
regulations.
Semantic markup
Markup (such as HTML) which describes the meaning of document
elements, as opposed to their appearance. Semantic tags include
headings (<h1> through <h6>), lists (<ol>,
<ul>, and <dl>), <strong> and <em>.
Non-semantic tags include <div>, <font>, etc.
T
TTY
An abbreviation for telephone typewriter or teletypewriter,
an electronic device that transmits coded signals across the
telephone network. TTYs may include, for example, devices known
as TDDs (telecommunication display devices or telecommunication
devices for deaf persons) or computers with special modems. TTYs
are also called text telephones.
U
Undue Burden
Undue burden means significant difficulty or expense. In
determining whether an action would result in an undue burden, an
agency shall consider all resources available to the program for
which the product is being developed, procured, maintained or
used.
Usability
Usability measures the quality of a user's experience when
interacting with a product or system, whether a web site, a
software application, mobile technology or any user-operated
device.
V
Validation
Inspection of a web page to ensure that it conforms to the
appropriate standard (i.e. HTML 4.0, XHTML 1.0, etc.).
VPAT
Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
W
W3C
World Wide Web Consortium
Web Accessibility
Web accessibility in the CSU context is the application of
design principles to make web sites, web applications and web
content usable by persons with disabilities who may be using
assistive technologies to access the site.
WebAIM
WebAIM is a nonprofit organization within the Center for
Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University. It provides
comprehensive web accessibility solutions.
Webcheck
Webcheck.sjsu.edu is web site which uses
AccMonitor to perform automated accessibility tests. If you are
interested in having your site added to Webcheck, please contact
the Web Services Unit.
WebCMS
A Website Content Management system provided by the Web
Services Unit. WebCMS is based on OpenCms, and uses page
templates designed with accessibility in mind.
