UCLA Disability Access Web Briefing

Access Web's Mission

At UCLA there are a number of departments and programs charged with providing a variety of accommodations for people with disabilities. This site is intended to create a comprehensive "table of contents" so that users can quickly locate the information or service they are interested in.

Access Web Goals

• Advocate for universal accessibility in all UCLA web sites
• Provide a one-stop table-of-contents for anyone seeking accommodation
• Make disability accommodation information available from all departments, not just those with web servers.
• Advocate for publication of disability access information on departmental web sites

Access Web Team

Steering Committee:

• Chancellor's ADA & 504 Compliance Office
• Office for Students with Disabilities
• The Disabilities and Computing Program at the UCLA Office of Academic Computing.
• University Library
• OAC Microcomputing Support Office

Work Group:

• Campus Human Resources
• Medical Center Human Resources
• National Arts and Disability Center
• Physiological Sciences
• Rehabilitative Services
• University Extension
• Representatives from UCLA faculty, students, and community

Structure of Access Web

Text description of the Structure of Access Web

Who is the audience for Access Web?

YOU! (potentially)

• Did you know that 43% of the population is permanently or temporarily disabled at any given time? Access Web contains vital information for people coping with the effects of temporary disability due to illness or accident, as well as for people with permanent disabilities. This population is often not familiar with accessibility issues and needs a quick and easy way to get to the information provided by Access Web.
• People from all walks of life can use and benefit from Access Web.
  • students and prospective students
  • current faculty and future recruits
  • staff
  • sports fans and museum visitors
  • donors and potential donors
  • patrons of the arts and performing arts
  • alumni and other friends of the university
• The UCLA Medical Enterprise draws a population of (temporarily and/or permanently) disabled visitors and their families for whom Access Web provides a valuable service.
• The Web itself serves as an accommodation for some people with disabilities, who use computer technologies exclusively to access information at UCLA. Navigating web pages can be arduous for some of these users, so it is important to make the link to Access Web prominent for them, no matter where they go with in the UCLA web space.

How will potential donors respond to Access Web?

• Many large donations come to the University as a result of a disability, with donors wishing to show gratitude for the superior care they received at the UCLA Medical Center (the new genetics building is an example). Such donors will be especially sensitive to accessibility issues and will appreciate their prominence in the UCLA Web.
• Many donors have a friend or family member with a disability.

What does Access Web mean for UCLA's image as a world-class university?

• Access web showcases UCLA's international leadership in providing universal access for persons with disabilities.
• As a world leader in accessibility and a pioneer of the Information Superhighway, UCLA is a role model for government agencies and professional organizations from the United States and other countries, including the international media, who regularly report on this aspect of the University.
• National and international recognition of the UCLA Web's commitment to universal access has set a level of expectations for continued leadership. UCLA cannot afford to fall behind the curve in this area.
• Making disability access a high profile aspect of life at UCLA can be a major selling point in recruitment of distinguished scholars who have disabilities.

How can Access Web assist in fulfilling UCLA's legal obligations to accommodation?

• Access web proactively demonstrates UCLA's compliance with ADA and 504 regulations.
• Experience has shown that designing for accessibility is much more efficient than retrofitting for it.
• Research has shown that it is more cost-effective for people to be able to access information and services independently.
• The bottom line: It's just good customer service!

How can my department get involved?

• Place the universal symbol for access on your web pages with a link back to the Access Web. We can supply you with the GIF file, the ALT text, and a link that will take your users into the part of the Access Web most directly relevant to them.
• Get in touch with us <burke@ucla.edu> for a usability analysis of your web site. Better yet, get in touch with us beforehand so you can incorporate web accessibility into your design.
• Get in touch with us <dgreen@saonet.ucla.edu> to find out ways in which your department already accommodates disabled people. Give your department a pat on the back by advertising these accommodations somewhere on your web site!
• We'd be happy to come to your department to make a presentation about Access Web or web accessibility issues. Just contact us at <alex@ucla.edu>.
• Visit the Access Web <http://www.ucla.edu/access/> and the UCLA-DCP World Wide Web Accessibility Page<http://dcp.ucla.edu/resources/accessibility.htm> to learn more.

Back to Access Web home page

Last updated 11/02/98