Information Technology Systems & Services
When Should Web Sites be Made Accessible?
University of Minnesota Schedule:
- According to Procedure 2.8.4.1 web pages created after January 1, 2002 must incorporate Web Accessibility Standards
- Appendix A of the University of Minnesota Web Accessibility Standards details Priority and Time Expenditures for making legacy web pages accessible
Section 508 Dates:
Section 508 does not require an agency to retrofit Web pages that existed prior to June 21, 2001. However whenever a page is updated it is considered "new" and must comply with 508. A decision to be proactive and retrofit under the 508 standards, will reduce an agency's risk of exposure to lawsuits. Section 508 accessibility provides a baseline for as high an inclusion of persons with disabilities as possible.
Related References:
- Disabled Accessibility: The Pragmatic Approach - Jakob Nielsen