Virtually accessible: empowering students to advocate for accessibility and support universal design

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Library Hi Tech

ISSN: 0737-8831

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Subject Area: Library and Information Studies

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Document Information:
Title:	Virtually accessible: empowering students to advocate for accessibility and support universal design
Author(s):	Jo Ann Oravec, (Jo Ann Oravec is at the College of Business and Economics, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin, USA. E-mail: oravecj@uwwvax.uww.edu)
Citation:	Jo Ann Oravec, (2002) "Virtually accessible: empowering students to advocate for accessibility and support universal design", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 20 Iss: 4, pp.452 - 461
Keywords:	Blind people, Disabled people, Empowerment, Internet, Web sites
Article type:	Research paper
DOI:	10.1108/07378830210452659 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	MCB UP Ltd
Abstract:	Students’ professional training often focuses on narrow technical considerations that exclude accessibility concerns and universal design perspectives. This can make them ill-equipped to understand the importance of accessibility approaches let alone become advocates for them. This article explores how students who design Web sites and work with computer end users in support capacities can be introduced to accessibility approaches and empowered to promote them in organizational contexts. The issues involved can also be used as springboards for examination of larger matters concerning universal design perspectives and humanistic approaches to management.