Accessibility Statement
Accessible Web design provides benefits to both those using assistive technology, as well as others. It provides benefit to users with text-based browsers, low-end processors, slow modem connections, or users who do not have state-of-the-art computer equipment. It also allows for easier access to the Internet via technologies such as internet-enabled phones or personal digital assistants.
Every effort has been made to ensure the pages of this website are accessible in accordance with South Carolina's official standards and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Furthermore, SC.GOV has adopted the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0.
If you or someone you know is not able to access any content on this website due to a disability, please let us know.
SC.GOV Access Keys
Most browsers support jumping to specific links by typing keys defined on the web site. On Windows, you can press ALT + an access key; on Macintosh, you can press Control + an access key.
All pages on this site define the following access keys:
- Access key 1 – Home page
- Access key 2 – Skip Navigation
- Access key 3 – Site Map
- Access key 4 – Search
- Access key 6 – Help Center
- Access key 8 – Policies
- Access key 9 – Contact SC.GOV
- Access key 0 – Accessibility Statement
Accessibility Resources
- South Carolina Accessibility Training and Resources
http://www.access-sc.org
- Section 508 Web Site
http://www.section508.gov/
An excellent source for general information, standards, evaluation, events, and resources surrounding Section 508, which will impact electronic and information technology on the Web.
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/508/508law.html
The content of this document directly relates to the Federal government and any public or private industry contracting with the Federal government.
- Enforcing ADA Compliance
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/enforce.htm
The Department of Justice handles complaints and enforcement of Title II, Section 508. This law speaks directly to state governments, local governments, and all other public entities. This page provides a concise overview, abbreviated information on specific chapters that must comply with ADA standards, and information about the complaint and enforcement process.
- United States Department of Justice – Guide to Disability Laws
http://www.ada.gov/cguide.htm
This guide provides an overview of Federal civil rights laws that ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
- State of South Carolina- Web Site Accessibility and Transition Plan
http://www.cio.sc.gov/SCEA/Web-Accessibility-Policy.pdf
This policy sets forth guidelines to assist state agencies in ensuring that the State’s web presence is accessible to the widest possible range of users.
Accessibility Software
- JAWS, a screen reader for Windows. A time-limited, downloadable demo is available.
- Home Page Reader, a screen reader for Windows. A downloadable demo is available.
- Lynx, a free text-only web browser for blind users with refreshable Braille displays.
- Links, a free text-only web browser for visual users with low bandwidth.
- Opera, a visual browser with many accessibility-related features, including text zooming, user stylesheets, image toggle. A free downloadable version is available. Compatible with Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and several other operating systems.
- Mozilla Firefox, a free browser for Windows, Mac, or Linux, has a Developer Toolbar extension capable of zooming in images as well as text.
Alternative Access Systems
- Access.Adobe.Com is a tool that allows blind and visually impaired users to read any document in Adobe PDF format. The tool converts PDF documents into simple HTML or ASCII text which can then be read by a number of common screen reading programs that synthesize the HTML as audible speech.
- HTML to ICADD (International Committee for Accessible Document Design) Transformation Service is sponsored by the University of California at Los Angeles.
- University of Toronto's Adaptive Technology Resource Centre provides several product listings such as Screen Reader, Voice Recognition System, Alternative Keyboard System, Screen Magnification, and Refreshable Braille Display.
Revised January 2, 2007