Robbins Web Site One of the First to Meet Federal Accessibility Standards
www.senatorrobbins.com

Harrisburg – State Senator Bob Robbins' (R-50) web site has been upgraded to ensure accessibility by people with disabilities, making him one of the first state senators to meet federal standards for such accessibility.

The standards are spelled out in Section 508 of the federal Workforce Rehabilitation Act. The provisions ensure access for people with vision impairments who rely on various aids to access computer-based information. Such devices include screen readers -- which translate what's on a computer screen into automated audible output -- and Braille displays.

Certain features, such as "verbal tags" or identification of graphics, are necessary so that these devices can "read" them for the user in a sensible way.

On Senator Robbins' web site, www.senatorrobbins.com, all photos have a written description that can be read by screen readers. It also allows users to make the text larger for easier viewing, and requires no "plug-ins" to view the site -- standards also included in Section 508.

"Government web sites are an excellent way to keep in contact with citizens and provide a wide array of useful information, and it's important that we extend this resource to citizens with disabilities," said Robbins. "My web site provides information on the 50th Senatorial District, the Northwest Pennsylvania region, state government and more. By meeting Section 508 standards, that information is within the reach of everyone, regardless of any physical challenge."

CONTACT: Mike Hengst (717) 787-1322

Robbins Web Site One of the First to Meet Federal Accessibility Standards www.senatorrobbins.com

Robbins Web Site One of the First to Meet Federal Accessibility Standards
www.senatorrobbins.com