On August 6th, the World Wide Web turned 30! Back in 1991, Sir Tim Berners-Lee published the very first website at http://info.cern.ch and that page is still available today. Soon after that first website debuted, researchers and developers were looking at ways to use the Web to share information and resources with people with disabilities, providers, and advocates. Those early researchers, developers, and advocates also sounded the alert about the accessibility of the Web and making sure everyone could access those important resources. Now there are nearly 2 billion websites out there, including thousands focused on supporting the full participation of people with disabilities in the community through networking, education, advocacy, benefits management, training service providers, and much more. The Web is now essential to access employment, education, and healthcare. All this access is wonderful, but accessibility is still an issue.
NIDILRR grantees were right there are the forefront, both using the Web to share resources, and focusing attention on access and accessibility. Here are some of the earliest projects:
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Adaptive Computers and Information Systems (1993-1997), University of Wisconsin, Madison. This center focused on maximizing the number of people with disabilities who are able to access directly and use the next generation of electronic devices and information systems, either with or preferably without assistive technologies. The goal was to make all electronic products and systems more accessible to individuals with the full range of type, degree, and combination of disability, such as low vision, blindness, hearing impairment, deafness, deaf-blindness, physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and language disabilities. This work continues at the Trace Center at the University of Maryland with projects on improving PDF accessibility, accessibility guidelines for information kiosks, and automated Web accessibility testing.
The Adaptive Device Locator System on the World Wide Web (1997-1999), Academic Software, Inc. This project transformed the Adaptive Device Locator System, originally available on CD-ROM loaded onto individual computers, to a Web interface. The database was converted into a hierarchically-organized website where users could “drill down” by functional area to find assistive devices to meet their daily needs. The site is still available today through AdaptWorld.
Access to Convergent Media (1999-2001), WGBH Educational Foundation. This project focused on making it possible for people who are blind or who have visual impairments to use convergent media effectively, by influencing industry standards and developing new media delivery technologies. “Convergent media” refers to programming and services growing out of the intersection of broadcast and cable television, digital television, PC, and Internet technologies. This has led to several advances in accessible media, broadcasting, education, and much more.
AbilityForum.com (1999-2001), Golden Ventures. This project developed an Internet-based job opportunity network and support Web site for people with disabilities with sections for employment, reference materials, and avenues for social support. The Employee Toolbox is still available, guiding users through the process of building a resume, tapping into strengths, preparing for interviews, and following up with employers.
Web Accessibility Initiative, Phase II (2000-2005), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, W3C. Under this grant, the WAI developed technical solutions and educational resources to increase accessibility of the Web for people with disabilities and worked with organizations around the world to promote awareness and implementation of Web accessibility solutions. These were formative years for web accessibility, with the development of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), along with guidelines and techniques for content management systems and other authoring tools, educational resources, and more. This project was actually led by Sir Berners-Lee, who served as its Principal Investigator!
These are just a few examples of the early projects. The ADA National Network Regional Centers, NARIC, and the Assistive Technology Act projects (now funded under ACL’s Office of Interagency Innovation) were also among the first grantees to offer information and services online. Explore the history of NIDILRR-funded research and development in web accessibility and using the Internet and Web to share information and provide services and supports to people with disabilities.
What about today? We are still talking about making sure that everyone can access the web, online information, apps, and other technology, regardless of ability or level of connectivity.
The work of the Web Accessibility Initiative continues under a NIDILRR contract for the WAI-Core project. Among its many tasks, WAI provides staff support and technical expertise within a working group of diverse experts, updates documentation as needed, maintains multi-stakeholder Working Groups of Web accessibility experts, and reviews, provides analysis of, and comments on understandability, readability of, and usability of accessibility standards and implementation reference materials.
The RERC on Inclusive Information and Communications Technology, the RERC on Technology for Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center: Develop and Evaluate Rehabilitation Technology and Methods for Individuals with Low Vision, Blindness, and Multiple Disabilities, the RERC on Wireless Inclusive Technologies, and the LiveWell RERC for Community Living, Health, and Function all work to ensure that developers of current and emerging technologies keep accessibility top of mind. These and other projects are building apps and supporting app developers; exploring assistive and remote solutions for rehabilitation, vocational training, employment, wellness, and education; and training the next generation of developers; among others. Explore current and recently completed projects in inclusive information and communication technologies, telerehabilitation, telework, and more in the NIDILRR Program database.