The University of Maine’s "Universal Access for the Web" Help Site

by Alan Parks

Could Helen Keller read your website? That's not a joke. If she were alive today, she could read your website...but only if you designed your website according the principles of universal accessibility for the web. The University of Maine has created a website to assist web designers to develop accessible websites, located at http://www.umaine.edu/insider/accessibility.

This site was developed in anticipation of a policy requiring all University of Maine web pages to be “Section 508 compliant,” and as a public service. It is intended to help designers comply with the federal government’s Section 508 guidelines for web accessibility (http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/508/508-UAAG.html). The University also provides classes and workshops on universal access web design.

The University’s Accessibility site lists fourteen points to follow for assuring compliance with Section 508 guidelines. Users will find help files with “how-to” descriptions and graphics linked to each point.

Now you, too, can assure that all users can access and benefit from your website!

This is an official publication of The University of Maine
A member of the University of Maine System

Updated: 01/11/2007