Universal Web Design

Universal Web Design: Accessibility for EVERYONE

A workshop at UC Berkeley - September 5th, 9:30-12:30,
Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive Gund Theater, 2621 Durant Ave., Berkeley

One of the great potentials of the World Wide Web is its inherent ability to make information accessible to a vast number of people. However, if web sites are improperly designed, that potential is seriously compromised. Web information providers, such as universities, museums, and others are often unaware that their sites are inaccessible to large audiences on the web such as:

low-tech public libraries and schools, and
people with disabilities (blind, visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing)

yet to take advantage of the web for truly broad access can be done simply with normal web delivery software and some know-how.

UC Berkeley's Information Systems & Technology Unit, along with the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive, are proud to host a workshop that will address just these issues and give web providers from campus and the Bay Area the knowledge needed to make truly accessible web sites. This is of value in itself, and to come into compliance with California State & Berkeley campus guidelines for websites as well as the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II. The workshop will be taught by instructors from the National Center for Accessible Media in Boston and held at the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive. The workshop will cover:

history of access technologies
information about NCAM and other groups (such as the World Wide Web Consortium) who are working on Web accessibility
explanation and thorough demonstration of screen-reading technology
do's and don'ts when designing accessible Web sites
demonstration of accessible Web-based multimedia, such as captioned and described movie clips.

Admission is sponsored by UC Berkeley and open to all, limit 240 seats. Time: Sept. 5, 1997, from 9:30am to 12:30pm Place: BAM/PFA Gund Theater - located at 2621 Durant Ave., Berkeley

Contact & Accessibility:

Please RSVP to this event by sending email to shuli@socrates.berkeley.edu and specify how many people are planning to attend.

A wheelchair is available without charge at the Bancroft entrance (to reserve, call 510-642-2403). The George Gund Theater, Cafe Grace, and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Power-operated doors are located at both entrances.

Assistive Listening Devices are provided for the theater. Ten headphone sets are available free of charge at the PFA Box Office. For information call the PFA office (510) 642-1412 or the museum's TDD line (510) 642-8734. See http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/geninfo/ for more info on map/parking, etc.

Persons who wish to request disability-related accommodations including sign-language interpreters should contact Shuli Roth, at (510) 642-6157, or send email to shuli@socrates.berkeley.edu. Please request accommodations by Aug 22 in order to assure the best possible arrangements.
The workshop handout is available in alternative media. Contact Shuli Roth at (510) 642-6157 for more information.