US State and Local Governments in Virtual Worlds
Submitted by dcornwall on Wed, 2007-05-09 18:35.
Below is a listing of US State and local governments that we know operate some sort of official presence in Second Life or some other 3-D virtual world. Know of a space we're missing? Leave a comment or send an e-mail to Admin AT freegovinfo.info.
This is a listing by State. Click on the State name for a list by state agency and local jurisdiction (if available) For each site, we list the name of the space, a short description, a link to a regular URL page and if we have it, a link into the virtual world. Please note that at least in Second Life, the pointers (called SLurls) may get you close (like on the same island), but you won't always be dropped right in front of the virtual government facility. It's not our fault. Wander around, ask people who are there.
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Second life locks out person who are blind
Second Life Locks out Persons who are Blind.
Three people who were blind attempted to log into Second Life to see what this community was like. Two users used a speech software called JAWS. They were high level users and very motivated to see what Second Life was about. Neither was able to login. A third user who uses low vision technology provided by his operating system was also unable to get in the door.
I can't understand why any government agency would participate in this community. This system is not meeting even minimum standards of 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which all FEDERAL agencies are supposed to adhere to. So why is any Federal agency participating?
Issues relate to simple code issues that are listed in 508 as required by web developers for sites used by federal employers or for sites that are used by the public to access federal information created by or purchased by a federal agency.
Other issues like the pornographic nature of some of the communities inside Second Life require that participates be adults (18 or up) and have another Second Life community that is for teens, should also concern government agencies, nonprofits, and other businesses. Many highschool teachers use government sites in teaching. Will the information be created twice, once for teens and once for adults?
It seems like government agencies, nonprofits, and concern businesses would want to ensure equal access for all. Participating in such a community excludes part of their customers. Not participating until the community is accessible to all will make the profit making company more aware that accessibility is a real business value and not just a law on the books.
If you haven't joined, please don't. If you have joined, please tell the provider that you cannot stay until the system ensures equal access. For federal agencies, this is law, for others it will show that you don't want to make some citizens second class. Especially, when the citizens being excluded rely on electronic format for information.
You and your agency can make a difference!
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