Community Outreach

EFE Launches Accessible Website

Equip for Equality is proud to celebrate the launch of its newly designed, accessible website, www.equipforequality.org. What originated in 2000 as a student-run four-page site now boasts over 500 pages of organization and disabilities- related information and receives on average 102,000 hits each month, increased from just 51,000 last year. Over the past two years, EFE has devoted substantial resources to making its website a premier clearinghouse for statewide disabilities information.

Echoing the sentiments of all parties involved in the site's construction, Peter Grosz, development director, commented, "Given that we are an organization working for the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of society, we find the new website design to be a reflection of our mission. The site is both informative and accessible-a combination that is all too rare in an increasingly technology-driven environment."

One anonymous viewer stated, "I viewed your site and you have made some great improvements in font and background contrasts. It was very easy to read and use. I am a macular and myopic degeneration person who sometimes has trouble reading some sites. Keep up the good work."

The Internet has proven to be an increasingly valuable tool for the disability community, allowing for individuals to be better informed about their community, feel more connected, and provide a means to reach out to people with similar interests and experiences. Due to the redesign, Equip for Equality's website makes it easy to change text to varying-sized fonts and to use a high-contrast mode for individuals who are sight-impaired. Janet, a legally blind retired teacher, stated, "I visited your website today and found it easy to move from spot to spot. The text enlarger detail on the upper right was good. I liked the way items I would click on changed color to highlight them."

Other special features include:

Powerful search feature that can find any word or phrase located on the website
Screenreader-friendly links at the top of each page
"You Are Here" trail that allows you to retrace your steps throughout the site
Tools section that offers links to print, bookmark, send the page to a friend, and even syndicate the site's content

Because of its prominent and vocal role in disabilities advocacy, Equip for Equality felt a particular responsibility to raise the standards for Internet-accessible design and technology. The design of the new website is now in compliance with the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative. It is accessible to the following users:

People who are blind or visually disabled, including low vision, color blindness, or blindness
People who are deaf or hard of hearing
People with speech disabilities
People with physical disabilities and motor impairments
People with cognitive or neurological disabilities

During the redesign process, Equip for Equality incorporated the feedback of people with various disabilities. Each person visiting the new website plays an important role in its development. To comment on Equip for Equality's website, go to our web feedback page.

Subscribe to the Equalizer | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Spotlight
Dear Dolly: Plain good advice on disability issues

Dear Dolly answers disability-related questions from readers and members of the Dear Dolly listserve. 'Dolly' Hallstrom, past Illinois legislator and lifetime board member of Equip for Equality, assists a team of policy staff in responding to letters that may help a large number of readers.

Write Dear Dolly at:

Equalizer
20 N Michigan Avenue, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60602 or email:

deardolly @equipforequality.org.

Also use this email to join the Dear Dolly listserve, which sends more frequent responses to members. Dear Dolly letters are archived on the Dear Dolly page.