Access for All

September 29, 2008

By Jason Deign

In June 2008, new versions of the curricula were launched to address the needs of students with visual, physical, cognitive or auditory limitations. The accessible versions of the CCNA curricula conform with some exceptions to the International Web Content Accessibility Guidelines v1.0 and to Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act.

The accessible versions include tab and keyboard navigation throughout; adjustable font size, type, and color; content display options; and options for media presentation.

The curricula is compatible with assistive technologies, including select magnification and reading software, voice recognition software, and popular screen reading software such as Freedom Scientific's JAWS.

There is also no audio in the course, making it usable by deaf or hard-of-hearing students, and the keyboard access and compatibility with voice recognition software make it easier for people with mobility or dexterity impairments to access the course content.

Jason Deign is a freelance journalist located in Barcelona, Spain.