[games_access] AbleGamers is writing a story on 508 in gaming and needs help.

[d. michelle hinn]

To add to this and why it keeps coming up at game conferences -- this 
also applies to public schools (also under the US government) that 
use electronic resources. It's part 508 and part ADA. So a 
"reasonable accommodation" must be made for someone who cannot access 
whatever it is. This is true from k-12 through university and online 
course resources are included -- but so are books, which of course 
are a type of "media" (universities usually hire readers to put a 
textbook on tape). The issue is -- are games also included, included 
(game/non-game) SecondLife? If so, what IS a reasonable accommodation 
for that? And who is responsible for providing that -- the school? 
the government? the game company?

So some more fuel for the argument! :)

M

>I need experts, so I will ask them (you).
>
>We are working on a story about 508 compliance in gaming, and I 
>would like to know if any of you would like to participate in the 
>discussion, and from the discussion come the story. It is one of the 
>most ambitious stories of AbleGamers soon to be 5 year history. Now, 
>I have an opinion on this subject, but I want other voices (Also, I 
>am not witting (if you call what I do to the English Language 
>writting) it so). Also, I would like some thoughts from our NON-US 
>based members.
>
>For FULL DISCLOSER, I am, and have been for some time a 508 expert, 
>I work here in Washington DC and have certified (or not) many US 
>Government sites. So for those that are not sure what the heck I am 
>taking about, here is what 508 is in a nutshell. Section 508 of the 
>Americans with Disabilities Act states that government owned 
>websites need to be accessable by all members of the public, 
>including the blind.
>
><http://www.section508.gov/>http://www.section508.gov/
>
>Section 508 is ONLY for Government websites, but from time to time I 
>hear a desire to push this GOAL to many other sorces of media. At 
>Games for Health lasy year this was something talked about a lot.
>
>SO. If you have an opinion, and want to get involved in the 
>discusstion, and help gather the opinions needed for us to write a 
>fair piece on this, please send me an OFF LIST email to 
>ioo at ableGamers.com and I will rope us all in.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Mark Barlet
>Editor-in-Chief
>AbleGamers.com
>
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