Generic Standards for Accessibility - 
The generic standards are organized into three major areas. The first area sets forth standards for accessibility
of operation and information. The second area requires compatibility with the peripheral devices often used by
people with disabilities. The third area covers documentation and services associated with E&IT. Together, they
establish performance-based standards for accessibility. These conditions should be applied individually and in
combination.

The recommended standards for the accessibility of operations and information state that E&IT shall be
accessible when it can meet specified physical, sensory and cognitive needs of various disabilities to ensure
that E&IT is usable by people with disabilities and the information presented via E&IT is accessible to them.
Accessibility of the product includes being able to locate, identify, and operate all of the input, control and
mechanical functions, as well as being able to access the information provided by or through it. Accessibility of
information includes the ability to access text, static or dynamic images, icons, labels, sounds or incidental
operating cues.

The recommended standards for compatibility with peripheral devices are intended to ensure that E&IT will be
able to work with the adaptive technology utilized by persons with disabilities. E&IT needs to maintain
accessibility information that is present in media, and allow for the physical or wireless connection of adaptive
technology.

The standards for access to information, documentation, labeling, and support ensure that people with
disabilities can take advantage of the information and services that are connected to E&IT. Such information and
documentation includes user guides, installation guides for end-user installable devices, and E&IT support
communications, regarding both the E&IT and its accessibility features. This shall include provision of
documentation in alternate formats or alternate modes and ensuring accessible and usable customer support
and technical support. Customer training shall be made available in an accessible form to users with disabilities.

Technology specific Standards

The technology specific standards which build on the generic standards provide detailed guidance on how to
achieve accessibility for many common cases. The technology specific standards are to be considered in
addition to the generic standards and cover the following classes of E&IT:

     Keyboards 
     Software 
     Web-based information and applications 
     Telecommunications 
     Multimedia 
     Information Transaction Machines 
     PDAs 
     Cabling

The EITAAC identified these areas as being critical to accessibility, but not encompassing all of the issues
involved in the generic standards. The EITAAC expects that standards in other specific areas will need to be
developed. Ongoing review of these standards in light of technology advancements is critically important to
ensuring that the standards are current and achieve the desired objectives.