Thank you for your interest in the Accessible Systems Racing League!

The Accessible Systems Racing League had its genesis as a technical assistance tool and conference exhibit intended to raise awareness of the issue of accessibility of online systems and to encourage employers to ensure that their online systems are accessible to people with disabilities. The importance of online accessibility is unmistakable, as an ever-increasing number of employers are placing a greater reliance on online systems, for everything from recruitment and applications of prospective employees to HR forms and training tools for current employees.

However, depending on the type of disability, whether related to vision, hearing, cognition, or physical mobility, online systems have the potential of being inaccessible or unusable to many individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, these inaccessible or unusable online systems can represent a significant barrier to the recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement of people with disabilities.

Individuals with disabilities have proven to be a largely untapped yet tremendously qualified pool of talent. In today’s competitive business environment, finding and keeping talented employees makes good business sense and yields dividends for your corporate bottom line. By ensuring that online systems are accessible and user-friendly for everyone, including people with disabilities, you gain the opportunity to attract more of the best and brightest.

Below are some useful materials, many of which were originally developed as part of the Accessible Systems Racing League, to assist you in ensuring that your online systems are accessible.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact an EARN Employment Specialist by phone/TTY at 1-866-327-6669 or by e-mail at earn@earnworks.com.

Materials

• The Accessible Systems Racing League 2.0: Guidance for Ensuring Your Career Site is Accessible (PDF) – A tool comprised of accessibility-oriented questions to assist you in assessing your online systems.
• Accessibility, Interoperability and Usability in the Workplace Handout (PDF)
• Assistive Technology in the Workplace Handout (PDF)
• Universal Design Handout (PDF)
• Assistive Technology and Universal Design Resources Directory (PDF)
• The Job Accommodation Network’s (JAN) Universal Design and Assistive Technology as Workplace Accommodations: An Exploratory White Paper on Implementation and Outcomes (Word)
• JAN’s Universal Design and Assistive Technology in the Workplace Fact Sheet (Word)
• JAN’s Tips for Designing Accessible Web Pages Fact Sheet
• The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) Online Application Systems Directive (PDF) – provides guidance for federal contractors to ensure they provide equal opportunity to qualified applicants with disabilities, including disabled veterans, to compete for jobs when using an online application system.
• FAQs on OFCCP’s Online Application Systems Directive (PDF) – provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding guidance from OFCCP on ensuring online application systems are accessible to applicants with disabilities.