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The Board is undertaking an update of its standards for electronic and information technology in the Federal sector covered by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.  As part of this effort, it is also updating guidelines for telecommunications products subject to Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act.  On March 17, the Board released for public comment a draft of the updated standards and guidelines.  The draft features a new structure and format that integrates the 508 standards and 255 guidelines into a single document referred to as the “Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards and Guidelines.”  Requirements have been reorganized according to functionality instead of product type since many devices now feature an array of capabilities and applications.  The released draft includes proposed revisions to various performance criteria and technical specifications that are designed to improve accessibility, add clarity to facilitate compliance, address market trends, and promote harmonization with other guidelines and standards.

Basic Web Accessibility: Understanding WCAG 2.0 - Webinar - Nov 16, 2011 Click here to register What:If you're tasked with helping ensure your organization produces accessible web content, you've probably heard of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0). As the most widely used international guidelines on web accessibility, and the basis for many federal and local standards, it's important to understand WCAG. In this webinar, we'll explore the relationship between WCAG 2.0, WCAG 1.0, and Section 508. We'll also discuss how to apply the WCAG 2.0 guidelines to actual web content, and the differences between A, AA, AAA level conformance. Despite all the acronyms and abbreviations, this webinar is intended for people who are new to web accessibility or new to WCAG. Learning Goals: Learn how WCAG 2.0 fits into big picture of web accessibility guidelines and standards Understand what each of the guidelines means in practical terms Leave with a set of online references for achieving conformance When: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 11:00 - 12:00 Mountain Standard Time Contact:If you have any questions about the webinar, please contact Karen Sheehan, ksheehan@cforat.org.

The new AP guidelines specifically address the issue, recommending that journalists “do not assume that mental illness is a factor in a violent crime,” and that “studies have shown that the vast majority of people with mental illness are not violent, and experts say most people who are violent do not suffer from mental illness.”

There are many programs for kids with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). An expert panel recently created some best practice guidelines for these programs. The experts agreed that programs should cover all the core problem areas for kids with ASD, like language, social skills and behavior. They also suggested programs should start soon after diagnosis, involve family members and have an intensive weekly schedule.

Guidelines for genetic testing developed by professional societies may be more centered on the concerns of society members than the needs of the individuals and families that may undergo testing. This could be considered appropriate because it will be the healthcare provider who will assess whether to test; when to test; whom to test; and how to provide the right support, interpretation, and follow-up to the individual or family tested. Genetic testing requires guidelines because of the complexity of testing for the individual and his or her family. It also requires flexibility because context matters a great deal in genetics.