Our Individual Development Account (IDA) program is interested in starting an on-line financial training program to save money and increase our outreach. We want to be accessible to persons with disabilities, but we don't even know where to begin. Any suggestions?

Here are a few resources that EQUITY recommends when creating an accessible on-line training program:

• HorizonLive http://www.horizonlive.com/index.php provides a software platform for live, web-based teaching, learning,and interactive communications. HorizonLive enables organizations to meet, teach, and train live online, regardless of geographic location, bandwidth, operating system, or disability. Programs need to develop their own content and HorizonLive provides the accessible platform for the information to be presented.
• Access E- Learning (AEL) http://www.accesselearning.net AEL is a ten-module tutorial that is a resource for those seeking to make their distance education accessible for individuals with disabilities. AEL offers information on the most common needs in distance education, and provides instruction in techniques that will enhance the usability of online materials for all students.
• To see an excellent example of an accessible on-line IDA financial education program, see Coastal Enterprises, Inc. http://www.ceimaine.org/tops/Tutorial/IDA_home.html

Also, see our Resources section for more information on web accessibility.