Perspective on Section 508 By

Perspective on Section 508
By: Shon Saliga Director of IBM WWW Accessibility Center

Industry impact of 508
New look at accessibility
IBM’s leadership role
How are we going to help

Accessibility for everyone makes good business sense:

Currently:
18-44 years - 12% people with disabilities - 68% online
45-54 years - 23% people with disabilities - 68% online
55-64 years - 36% people with disabilities - 55% online
65+ years - 55% people with disabilities - 28% online
Source: Forrester Research, Inc.

508 makes original philanthropic aspect of accessibility a business imperative

US > $43B - 2001 Legislation (Section 508 & other legislation)

Accessibility is mission critical at IBM! (with Hardware, Software, Services, and Documentation)

IBM’s commitment to leadership:

Innovation leadership - Awarded most US patents (3,411) in 2001

Comprehensive support - 7 major platforms (e.g. Linux, Win, AIX)

Total solution - Hardware, software and services complemented with partnerships with leading ATV

Integrated Approach - Accessibility part of design, development, process

IBM overall view in industry to make operating systems accessible:

Windows		Solaris		Linux		AIX		Web
Today	Tomorrow	Today	Tomorrow	Today	Tomorrow	Today	Tomorrow	Today	Tomorrow
AT	AT	Solicit AT Vendors	AT		Open Source AT		AT		AT
AT	AT		AT				AT		AT
AT	AT		AT				AT		AT

	.NET				GNOME
LOTUS	EXCEL	JAVA	JAVA	Eclipse	Eclipse	LDAP		Validation/Correction Tools
JAVA	JAVA	GNOME	GNOME	JAVA	JAVA	JAVA	JAVA	Validation/Correction Tools
OS/WIN	OS/WIN	OS	OS	OS	OS	OS	OS	Browser	Browser

Our challenge is to drive towards a single set of world wide standards

Efficient use of resources to deliver complete solution
Concentrate on end user focus
Enabling Accessibility + Assistive Products = Accessibility Solution

IBM continuing commitment to Accessibility industry:

1914 - Hired first employee with disability
1985 - Created Special Needs Organization
1986 - Created first Screen Reader
1998 - Present: Active participant in Web accessibility guidelines standards committees
1999 - Held Vice Chair of Electronic & Information Technology Access - Advisory Committee for Section 508 Implementation:
1999 - Established World Wide Accessibility Center
2001 - Established AC Executive leadership
2002 - Focus on key partnerships, standards committees, technical leadership

The time is right:

Accessibility makes good business sense
Establish strong market connections between IBM Research and key industry stakeholders

Launching aggressive partnership strategy to deliver total solution