Documentation, Labeling and Support Group Report and Writing Assignments

[Mike Paciello <paciello@ma.ultranet.com>]

Following is the report of the Documentation, Labeling and Support Subgroup
including writing assignments based on our meetings on 1/5-1/6:

Date: Jan. 5 and 6, 1999

Notes from Documentation Subgroup

Members Present:

Seville Allen
Debbie Cook
Jennifer Dexter 
Steve Mendelsohn
Arthur Murphy (chair)
Mike Paciello (scribe)
Roger Wellman

Meeting Notices:

1. Writing assignments appear at the end of each accessibility issue and
barrier. 

2. Dr. Scadden requested that initial drafts should be posted no later than
Monday, January 25. This will ensure adequate time
for review and comments by committee members.

3. Drafts should be made available in text format.

4. The template reflecting the committee's recommendation of the TAAC
format will be prepared and distributed to all members by Jim Fruchterman.


Documentation Subgroup Preamble: 

Users with disabilities need the same information in the same time frame,
depth and with the same independent use as non-disabled users.


I. Identification of accessibility issues and barriers

	a) Documentation and Labeling (Steve Mendelsohn, Dave Bolnick, Mike Paciello)
	
		i) Documentation is not available to all users.(Steve)
		ii) There is no standardized methodology for presenting diagrams, sound,
pictures and no-textual information. (Mike and Dave)
		iii) There is no ability prior to and sometimes after installation to
determine and access the user registration number (Steve)
		iv) Insufficient information is available to identify the software.(Steve)
	
	b) Support (Jennifer Dexter, Roger Wellman, Debbie Cook, Seville Allen)
	
		i) The use of adaptive equipment confounds support personnel.(Jennifer)
		ii) Support is not always available in a timely,usable and multimodal
manner. (Seville)
		iii) Support personnel frequently are not aware of the accessibility
features that are built into their own products.(Roger)

		iv) Integration of multi-vendor software and hardware systems creates
unique challenges. The addition of assistive devices complicates
support.(Debbie/Roger)
		v) Vendor web sites created for the purpose of supporting product
information, documentation or other product related services are not
accessible. (Debbie)
		
	c) Training (Arthur Murphy, Seville Allen, Debbie Cook)

		i) Fifty percent of all assistive devices purchased are abandoned due to
the lack of appropriate assessment, training and support.
		ii) Integration of multi-vendor software and hardware systems creates
unique challenges. The addition of assistive devices compounds training.
		
		
	
	
II) Appropriate solutions to consider

        a) Documentation and Labeling
        
		i) All documentation needs to be available in accessible electronic text
		ii) All multimedia documentation and tutorials need to be available in
closed caption, audio description and transcribed. Transitions (e.g.,
pauses and response times) need to be adjustable.
		iii) All software should identify itself before installation.
		iv) After installation, the registration number should be easily accessible
		v) With proof of ownership, it should be possible to obtain a valid
registration number by phone.
        

	b) Support

		i) Any technical assistance, including the directions on how to access
technical assistance, needs to be provided in formats that is accessible to
all persons. 
		ii) Technical assistance includes (but is not limited to):
		
			a) Embedded Help
			
				1. User assistance that is built into the product or comes as an
integral part of the product.
				2. Products should be internally consisten (e.g. Display should follow
the same rendering and navigation protocols as the rest of the product)
				3.  Redundant modal indicators must be available with all embedded help
functions (e.g beeps available as lights, lights available as beeps, etc.).
All indicators must be adjustable.
				
			b) Web/E-mail Support
			
				1. Support provided by way of e-mail, including attachments must be
available in text format.
				2. All support provided by way of the Web must be accessible.
				
			c) Phone Support
			
				1. TTY support must be available. 
				2. Alternatives to tree support must be available. Provide textual
alternatives to prerecorded information.
				3. Transistions (e.g. pauses and response times) should be adjustable. 
			
			d) Multimedia Support
			
				4. All multimedia support must be available in video caption, audio
description and text transcription. 
				5. Transitions (e.g., pauses and response times) should be adjustable.
				
		

	c) Training

		i) Training is an integral part of product support and, therefore, should
be designed, provided and disseminated to accomodate all persons.
		
	
		
Respectfully submitted, 

Mike Paciello

Mike Paciello                     Email: <paciello@ma.ultranet.com>
WebABLE! Solutions          Tel: (603) 598-9544 
131 D.W. Highway #618     Fax: (603) 598-2839 
Nashua, NH 03060             WWW: <http:://www.webable.com>

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