Robert Denton

Accessibility When? Accessibility Where?

ALAMEDA COUNTY / Blind student sues Target over firm’s Web site / It lacks software that allows access to visually impaired

Basically an online retailer is being sued because their site does not meet accessibility standards that allow a blind person to participate. I knew it would be coming sooner or later.

So where does that leave an institution like Bowdoin where we are increasingly handing over services, delivered via the web only, to outside vendors who by the way deliver a product that is no where close to Section 508 compliant. It’s something to probably think about in legal — to protect ourselves from vendor mistakes.

If we knowingly deliver services which do not meet any minimum accessibility standards might this also put Bowdoin in a bad situation as well? It is an interesting question to prepare for.