Accessibility Statement

Accessible Web design provides benefits to both those using assistive technology, as well as others. It provides benefit to users with text-based browsers, low-end processors, slow modem connections, or users who do not have state-of-the-art computer equipment.

Every effort has been made to ensure the pages of this website are accessible in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Furthermore, SC Commission on Higher Education has adopted the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0.

If you or someone you know is not able to access any content on this website due to a disability, please let us know at sreynolds@che.sc.gov .

Accessibility Resources

• Section 508 Web Site
  http://www.section508.gov/
  An excellent source for general information, standards, evaluation, events, and resources surrounding Section 508, which will impact electronic and information technology on the Web.
  
• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
  http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/508/508law.html
  The content of this document directly relates to the Federal government and any public or private industry contracting with the Federal government.
  
• Enforcing ADA Compliance
  http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/enforce.htm
  The Department of Justice handles complaints and enforcement of Title II, Section 508. This law speaks directly to state governments, local governments, and all other public entities. This page provides a concise overview, abbreviated information on specific chapters that must comply with ADA standards, and information about the complaint and enforcement process.
  
• United States Department of Justice – Guide to Disability Laws
  http://www.ada.gov/cguide.htm
  This guide provides an overview of Federal civil rights laws that ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
• State of South Carolina- Web Site Accessibility and Transition Plan
  http://www.cio.sc.gov/SCEA/Web-Accessibility-Policy.pdf
  This policy sets forth guidelines to assist state agencies in ensuring that the State’s web presence is accessible to the widest possible range of users.

Accessibility Software

• JAWS, a screen reader for Windows. A time-limited, downloadable demo is available.
• Home Page Reader, a screen reader for Windows. A downloadable demo is available.
• Lynx, a free text-only web browser for blind users with refreshable Braille displays.
• Links, a free text-only web browser for visual users with low bandwidth.
• Opera, a visual browser with many accessibility-related features, including text zooming, user stylesheets, image toggle. A free downloadable version is available. Compatible with Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and several other operating systems.
• Mozilla Firefox, a free browser for Windows, Mac, or Linux, has a Developer Toolbar extension capable of zooming in images as well as text.

Alternative Access Systems

• HTML to ICADD (International Committee for Accessible Document Design) Transformation Service is sponsored by the University of California at Los Angeles.
• University of Toronto's Adaptive Technology Resource Centre provides several product listings such as Screen Reader, Voice Recognition System, Alternative Keyboard System, Screen Magnification, and Refreshable Braille Display.

Revised July 3, 2006