Four-Step Process

Step 1

An organizational web site will be reviewed through automated means to identify accessibility problems. Empower Fusion utilizes Macromedia and UsableNet products to run page by page evaluations of web sites. These evaluations identify areas which are not in compliance with Section 508 of the 1998 Rehabilitation Act or Montana State HB239. Sites identified as containing potential accessibility issues will undergo further review in step 2.

Step 2

The web pages identified in step one will be submitted for further analysis to reviewers with experience using assistive technology products, such as JAWS for Windows. The reviewer will evaluate the accessibility of each page and provide an assessment report on areas containing potential problems. Identified areas of concern will be referred to Empower Fusion web developers for completion of step 3.

Step 3

Empower Fusion web developers will compile the information from the automated and reviewer reports. For each problem area, web developers will provide the location of the problem in the html code, a description and explanation of the problem, and solutions that would make this area accessible. This information and proposal for accessibility corrective action will then be returned to the originating agency or program along with a training on how to implement them. Upon completion of the corrections (fixed by the agency or Empower Fusion) Empower Fusion will guarantee that this site has been tested and is currently in compliance with Section 508 of the Federal Law and HB239 of Montana State Law.

Any updates or changes to the site need to follow the accessibility standards set by the original check.

Step 4

As a continuing feature, Empower Fusion, in conjunction with University of Montana DSS Services and Montana Technology Access Center (MTAC), will examine any accessibility complaints after the site has been properly updated. Our second stage reviewers will decide if the complaint is due to dysfunctional or old assistive technology devices or if it is a problem based on the web construction which will then be fixed right away.

Graphics, Design, and Layout by Dani Taylor. Copyright© Spectral Fusion 2005. All Rights Reserved.