AIR-UT University Challenge Deadline October 4

--Sept. 9, 2002--

Calling all Web developers. October 4 is the deadline to complete designs for UT's accessible Web competition.

Several teams and individuals are already preparing their campus Web sites for the AIR-UT University Challenge (Accessibility Internet Rally), and registration is open anytime before the October 4 deadline.

The AIR-UT Challenge is a unique program to educate campus webmasters about the need, tools and benefits of creating online information that is fully accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. The event is produced in conjunction with the annual community-wide AIR-Austin competition. St. Edward's University is also competing in this year's AIR-UT event. Winners from UT and the Austin community will be announced at the AIR-Austin Awards Ceremony in October.

The Vice President for Information Technology is providing major support for the AIR-UT Challenge, with additional support from the Institute for Technology and Learning and Knowbility.

Dr. John Slatin, Director of the Institute for Technology and Learning (ITAL) www.ital.utexas.edu at UT, said the interest in developing accessible Web sites is increasing. More than 100 individuals have attended hands-on accessibility training sessions on campus since the AIR-UT competition began three years ago, he noted.

"My mantra continues to be, 'Good design is accessible design,'" said Slatin, who is also a member of the Air-Austin Advisory Board. "People are realizing accessible designs are beneficial to everyone, not just to persons with disabilities."

In addition to hands-on workshops, ITS TeamWeb offers several online opportunities for designing accessible Web sites. Both tutorials and university’s guidelines are available online. The university has adopted the accessibility standards established by Section 508 Subsection 1194.22 of the Rehabilitation Act.

"There is a 75 percent overlap between accessibility and usability," said Glenda Sims with TeamWeb. "To make a Web site accessible to a person who has to listen to your page, you must have a good design. This good design for the visually impaired then helps all your users."

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