Since the website of the Office of the President was established on February 1, 1996, efforts to improve web accessibility have been an ongoing initiative. And today, by incorporating new software and technology that ensures accessibility for disabled users, the Public Affairs Department of the Office of the President proudly unveiled a milestone in its web services.
Successfully developing and integrating web accessibility for visually and hearing impaired users highlight the Office of the President's commitment to building an obstacle-free cyberspace and advancing the general welfare of the public.
Receiving a conformance level of "A," the Office of the President collaborated with the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission as well as the Executive Yuan in developing its web access policy. This past March, the Office of the President invited visually impaired web users from the Technology Development Association for the Disabled in Taiwan and the Cultural and Educational Foundation for the Blind to test the website and advise presidential web developers on how the site could be improved to cater to the needs of the visually impaired. Six months afterwards, the website received a conformance level of "A+" from the Commission for its user-friendly webpage designs that make surfing the presidential website more convenient. The new features include:
1. Web pages that can be operated by using the keyboard and is not limited to the use of the mouse.
2. Hot keys for the visually impaired, allowing users to quickly find the contents they need.
3. Icons with illustrations that replace printed words.
4. Warnings when the interface or the web links changes and when opening another window. Users do not have to execute the link to know the content.
5. Descriptive words along with electronic cards to allow users to know the content of e-cards when images cannot be viewed.
6. Comic in the President's electronic paper is added with dialogues. (Not sure what this means)
President Chen cares about the rights and the welfare of the disadvantaged and is striving to create a friendlier living environment for people with disabilities. The president is mindful of the Internet and supports the establishment of web accessibility for all users. Starting with volume 188, the president's electronic paper has an unprecedented feature of including tools for disabled users to better access the web. The president believes that one of the most important tasks of the government is to improve the country's information infrastructure by ensuring all citizens are given equal access to the Internet. The success of the web accessibility project is an indicator of the country's level of social equality. President Chen hopes the improved changes to the Presidential Office website can set an example for the construction of other websites in Taiwan.
In following the international trend of improving web accessibility and by advocating the government's campaign on promoting web accessibility, maintenance of the Presidential Office website will also be performed according to the spirit of creating an obstacle-free cyberspace. A revised English version of the Presidential Office website will soon be introduced and will also be made accessible to disabled users. The Presidential Office welcomes all citizens to contribute their suggestions and opinions about how to better develop obstacle-free websites in Taiwan.