Why is this even an issue? Government agencies are the only entities required to meet Section 508 requirements. Information must be accessible to help the impaired. The three broad categories are: visual, aural and mobility. Flash movies (forms, animations, etc.), which are compressed as single binary files, have not been inaccessible in the past, especially by screen readers.

Generally speaking, the solution is to design and code for accessibility. This includes making sure text is readable, offering equivalents to audio and video, and possibly offering an alternative text-only site.

Specific to Flash, solutions begin with the code used to embed a Flash movie. The code must be tweaked even in DreamWeaver. There is no alt tag attribute for a Flash movie, for example. Details can be obtained at the Web site, http://www.alistapart.com/topics/flash/. Another option is to create a Flash HTML hybrid such as those used on Macromedia’s site, www.macromedia.com/macromedia/accessibility/features/flash/.

The presenter also offered more solutions, including those pertaining to the Flash Player 7, which works with MS Active Accessibility software, plus the software, Windows-Eyes and Jaws, allowing screen-reading, tabbing and short cuts to elements.

More considerations were shared: Accessibility options are available in the Flash MX Accessibility Panel’s drop down panel; tweaking code to hide parts of a Flash movie (child objects) from screen readers; and testing Web pages in different browsers since various browsers store plug-ins differently.

As the presentation concluded, the speaker mentioned Flash files can provide a front end for wireless, XML content. A handout was provided listing more helpful resources and code samples such as the third party validation and repair tool for Flash fromHiSoftware (http://www.hisoftware.com/govt/Index.html). A copy of Ledgerwood's PowerPoint presentation is available to attendees upon request.

For information about classes provided by Foss Training & Consulting, Inc, (www.fosstraining, com), please contactTeresa Stewart, 913/322-7000. Several training locations are available: 8700 State Line, Topeka, and MARC’s first-floor classroom designated for the Government Trainer’s Institute (GTI). A GTI discount for MARC members is available. (Please contact GTI class registrar Beverly Werden at bwerden@marc.org or 816/474-4240 x 234 for details).

Please note: Foss Training is hosting an open house January 29, “Taste of Technologies.” Visitors are welcome to come and go from4:30 to about 8:30 p.m. at 8700 State Line Road. Many mini-sessions give the visitor an opportunity to meet instructors, see the facility and review the curriculum. These introductions help visitors to plan appropriately. RSVPs are requested but not required.

Treasurer's Financial Report
Rich Lovett reported that we have $870 left over from the conference. The conference cost $17,259 and has taken in $18,130, so far. Six people have not paid and will not be allowed to attend the conference this year. $110 was charged last year for registration; that will go up slightly this year.

Old Business
a) MAGWEB Meeting Location
Chris Holdman (City of Olathe) provided research that analyzed MAGWEB’s membership and participating members' commute for the last six months. Four pages of documentation detailed their locations within a 20-mile radius of MARC, as well as their travel mileage to either the MARC location or to the City of Overland Park facility. A significant majority of the present participating members are located in the southern part of the Kansas City metro area. An open discussion followed with consideration to members located in the northern part. A compromise was suggested. The two hosting locations will alternate with a possible reappraisal after a few months. The next meeting in February will be held in Overland Park. The location will be indicated in the title of the monthly meeting e-mail reminders.

b) ListServ
There is no way to join our listserv from our MAGWeb website. Currently, when a new member joins, an alert is sent to our listserv administrator, Barbara Hensley, at MARC. In the past, the decision was made not to have the option to join from our site to help prevent vendors from signing up, although this happened infrequently. It’s agreed that being able to sign up from our website would be most convenient.

c) 2004 Government Webmasters Conference Update
September 23-24, 2004
“2004 Government Webmasters Conference,” the new title for the conference this year, is in the early stages of brainstorming. Please send your suggestions regarding topics, speakers, vendors, etc. Packets with paper and presenters' notes will be ready ahead of time for the upcoming conference.

Possible topics so far include:
– Content Management.
– Homegrown Vs. Commercial Websites.
– Cascading Style Sheets.
– Dynamic Web Pages (ASP, ColdFusion, etc.).
– Free resources, such as stock photos, aesthetics (quality graphics, layout).
– Digital photography and editing.
– Cheap alternatives to expensive software such as PaintShop Pro.
– Accessibility.
– Breakout sessions geared toward Website editing programs for small and large government, technical and non-technical Web production personnel.
– Wireless devices.
– Glossary (ASP, XML, “what are they, what do they mean, when to use them.”)
– Web hosting solutions.

d) MAGWEB Website Redesign
Roman Madrigal, from the City of Shawnee, shared a draft which builds upon the graphic used for the current MAGWeb logo. Questions about the compatibility of FrontPage’s WebBots with DreamWeaver used to host the site followed. The discussion will be continued at the next meeting.

Upcoming Meeting Topics
A dress rehearsal for free sources! Everyone is needed to share their address to for free sources on the Internet. As a follow up activity, addresses will be sent to one person to compile. Eventually, they will be posted to the MAGWEB Website as a long term reference.

Next Meeting
February 19, 2004. at the City of Overland Park, KS.

Minutes prepared by Karen Sorensen.