ABSTRACT
Chapter 11 attempted to develop our understanding of institutional responses to e-learning accessibility. In this chapter a framework will be sought to develop our understanding of individual responses to e-learning accessibility, particularly how accessibility tools mediate these responses. In the accessibility arena a plethora of tools exist. We have a whole array of guidelines, standards and design and evaluation software applications (see chapter 7). In fact, there are so many tools that practitioners are experiencing some degree of difficulty in choosing which tools to use. For example, in 2002 Witt and McDermott identified 30 site-evaluation tools, ten web page repair tools and over 20 filter and transformation tools. Now, in 2006 there are probably more. Accessibility tools are however, having a varied impact on practice and the activities that practitioners undertake. There is some debate as to whether this is because the tools are faulty or inadequate, or whether it is because the users are faulty and ignorant. For Phipps et al. (2005) tools cease to be appropriate or useful when they are overly prescriptive. However, it is not unusual for commentators to rail against the ignorance of practitioners and proclaim that if they only used or consulted the tools properly everything would be sorted. Steyaert (2005) for example, argues:
A final myth involves the lack of information. When talking to content providers about accessibility, many recognize the need for inclusive websites but refer to a lack of detailed information on how to accomplish this. In the era that google replaced the Encyclopaedia Britannica as the
ultimate source of knowledge, it is hard to envisage somebody maintaining this myth. For those who need more than their favourite search machine, two references should suffice. The Web Accessibility Initiative is the best portal to start finding information about accessibility for generic web applications, while TechDis (UK) and the National Center on Accessible Information Technology in Education (USA) are good places for information on higher education applications.
