• Privacy Statement
• Accessibility Statement & Design Standards
• Internet Security Statement
• Linking Statement
• Translation Disclaimer Statement
   
• Policy 1210-00: Web Development
• Additional Resources

Privacy Statement

We want to be very clear: We prohibit commercial marketing of visitor information and the disclosure of personal information without prior consent of the visitor.  We will not obtain personally identifying information about you when you visit our site, unless you choose to provide such information to us, such as an email address. We use your email address to respond appropriately. This may be to respond to you, to address issues you identify, to further improve our web site, or to forward email to another agency for appropriate action.

Web sites developed by the State of Alabama may use cookies to carry user information from one page to another. An example is a search criterion. This information is not stored on our server but on your workstation. We do not track this information on our server. The cookies we use are set to expire at the end of your browser session. This means that when you close your browser they are deleted.

Our server tracks statistical information (through the use of server logs and statistical software) to help agencies hosted on our servers analyze and monitor the use of their sites.

We collect and store only the following information about your visit:

• the name of the domain from which you access the Internet;
• the date and time you access our site;
• and the Internet address of the website from which you linked directly to our site.

We use the information we collect to measure the number of visitors to the different sections of our site, and to help us make our site more useful to visitors. 

Please refer to individual Alabama State Agency Web Sites for their Privacy Policies, which may differ from the one displayed here.

Standard 1210-0051: Privacy Statement (PDF)

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Accessibility Statement

In response to the need to ensure equal access to electronic and information technologies, the state of Alabama has developed a set of standards for Web page design. Just as environmental obstacles have inhibited individuals with disabilities, the Web poses an entirely new set of obstacles. In recognition of those individuals with visual, physical or developmental disabilities the State of Alabama has adopted a policy to make government information accessible to all.


Design Standards

These standards are influenced by those recommended by the W3C and Access Board. The Access Board is responsible for developing the standards outlined by the amended Rehabilitation Act of 1998. Universal design calls for appropriate use auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure communication.

The State of Alabama has adopted the Design of HTML Pages to increase accessibility to users with disabilities as the primary guideline to meet the objectives of the Universal Access for State Design policy. These published guidelines are maintained by professionals trained in the area of assistive and information technology.

The State of Alabama embraces these standards and will be evaluating our site on a regular basis, increasing the opportunity for all individuals to access information over the Internet. The Universal Access Design Standards are being integrated into State of Alabama websites and will continue to evolve as new technologies and opportunities emerge.

Multiple browser testing will be conducted on the current versions of popular browsers.

Click here for addition Design Standards for State of Alabama Web Developers

Standard 1210-0052: Universal Accessibility (PDF)

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Internet Security Statement

Security is the most critical segment of the State of Alabama network. The State of Alabama considers the security of our partners' and citizens' information critical. We handle online information with commitment to ensure a secure environment that can be trusted to fulfill all confidentiality requirements. Documented steps are taken to safeguard information according to established security standards and procedures and we continually assess the newest technology for protecting information.

Our server tracks statistical information (through the use of server logs and statistical software) to help agencies hosted on our servers analyze and monitor the use of their sites.

Sensitive information used in financial transactions, such as social security numbers, banking information and personal data is confidential. ISD is committed to ensuring our partners' and citizens' confidentiality through the use of state-of-the-art information security and the adoption of appropriate privacy policies and procedures:

Please refer to individual Alabama State Agency Web Sites for their Security Policies, which may differ from the one displayed here.

Standard 1210-00S3: Online Security Statement (PDF)

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Linking Statement

The State of Alabama provides links to many Web sites that are not controlled, maintained, or regulated by the State of Alabama or any organization affiliated with the State of Alabama, and as such the State of Alabama is not responsible for the content of those Web sites. Use of information obtained from those Web sites is voluntary, and reliance on that information should only be undertaken after an independent review of its accuracy. References at those Web sites to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the State of Alabama.

In the event you discover problems with or have concerns regarding the format, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of a linked external Web site, please contact the organization responsible for the linked external Web site -- the State of Alabama does not control, nor is it responsible for, any linked external Web sites, pages, or content.

Policy 1210-01 Hypertext Linking (PDF)

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Translation Disclaimer Statement

Translations of the State of Alabama’s web sites are made through an automated/computerized process powered by Babel Fish, a free translation service.  Computerized translations are only an approximation of the Web site's original content. The translation should not be considered exact and in some cases may include incorrect or offensive language. Neither the State of Alabama nor any agency, officer, or employee of the State of Alabama warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information translated by this system and shall not be liable for any losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the translation, portions may be incorrect. Any person or entity who relies on information obtained from the system does so at his or her own risk. 

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Design Standards for State of Alabama Web Developers

• Every graphic image will have an "alt" tag and a short description that is intuitive to the user. If a graphic image is used as a navigation element, it will contain text description and direction that is intuitive to the user. Decorative graphics, such as bullets, will be set with an "alt" tag of <empty> as to not impede screen readers.
• For every graphic element that uses an image map, alternative text of the hyperlink will be provided.
• Web sites will have descriptive, intuitive text links and avoid the use of vague references such as "click," "here," "link," or "this."
• An alternative form of access will be made available for online forms, such as an email address or phone number.
• The use of frames will be avoided since they cannot be read intelligently by screen readers, create navigation problems and are not supported by all browsers.alabama.gov cannot be held responsible for sites outside the network that utilize frames.

The Law

The Section 508 Web Site is an excellent source for general information, standards, evaluation, events, and resources surrounding Section 508, which will impact electronic and information technology on the Web.
http://www.section508.gov/

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended for the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. The content of this document directly relates to the Federal government and any public or private industry contracting with the Federal government.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/508/508law.html

Enforcing ADA compliance - The Department of Justice handles complaints and enforcement.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/enforce.htm

Title II, Section 508 speaks directly to state, local governments and all other public entities. This highlights page provides a concise overview, abbreviated information on specific chapters that must comply with ADA standards and information about the complaint and enforcement process.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/t2hlt95.htm

HTML and Accessibility Standards: Checklists

The Web Accessibility Checklist - From the W3C, this checklist covers all three priority levels of compliance and is much more in depth.
http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/full-checklist.html

The Web Page Accessibility Checklist from the Department of Justice
http://www.section508.gov/

The Software Accessibility Checklist from the Department of Justice
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/508/archive/oldsoftware.html

The following "Quick Tips" introduce some key concepts of accessible Web design.
http://www.w3.org/WAI/References/QuickTips/