Below is the beginning of a paper on this topic. The entire text is at http://www.rit.edu/~easi/law/weblaw1.htm and a number of other legal documents about information technology and disabilities is at the same site: http://www.rit.edu/~easi Norman Coombs Chair of EASI Applying the ADA to the Internet: A Web Accessibility Standard by Cynthia D. Waddell, JD ADA Coordinator, City of San Jose, CA USA Although it may seem that the World Wide Web has been like the Wild, Wild, West --where there are no laws and each frontier web site is on its own, there are significant legal and practical reasons for ensuring web accessibility. By web accessibility I am referring to the design of a webpage that embraces the requirements of Universal Design in order to ensure that all users can access the information on the page: Universal Design calls for the development of information systems flexible enough to accommodate the needs of the broadest range of users of computers and telecommunications equipment, regardless of age or disability. . . . Unless a web site is designed in an accessible format, significant populations will be locked out as the World Wide Web rapidly advances from a text-based communication format to a robust, graphical format embracing audio and video clip tools. Yet, the benefits of accessible web design extend beyond the community of people with disabilities and an aging population since it enables low technology to access high technology. There are substantial business incentives for technology transfer in underdeveloped countries and for populations who do not have the "state of the art" technology. Accessible web design features enable CD technology and videotapes to be archived with word search capabilities due to text captioning. Even people who are illiterate can access the Internet since screenreaders can audibly read text out loud from accessible webpages. As the capital of Silicon Valley, the City of San Jose is proud to be a national leader in web accessibility implementation for local government. This article briefly discusses specific legal requirements for accessible web design and how the City of San Jose developed and implemented a minimal web accessibility standard that is now supported by the first draft international protocol for web accessibility. In a nutshell, public policy and legal compliance requires the removal of barriers to effective communication and commerce. By accommodating members of our diverse community, government can play a catalytic role in promoting a sustainable community. I. United States Department of Justice Policy Ruling, 9/9/96: ADA Accessibility Requirements Apply to Internet Web Pages 10 NDLR 240 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires covered entities to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would result in a fundamental alteration to the program or service or in an undue burden. See 28 C.F.R. 36.303; 28 C.F.R. 35.160. Auxiliary aids include taped texts, Brailled materials, large print materials, captioning and other methods of making audio and visual media available to people with disabilities.