OneNet Web Content Management System

OneNet is a web content management system designed to enable non-technical users to create websites that are accessible to people with disabilities. OneNet's key feature is its custom, web-based WYSIWYG editor. Designed to work like Microsoft Word and other familiar word processors, the OneNet Editor helps authors implement accessibility techniques without having to learn HTML code. The editor also provides a set of "accessibility checkers" that walk authors through the process of checking accessibility issues that cannot be implemented automatically.

OneNet was developed by the Illinois Department of Human Services with assistance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is has been used for more than ten years to create and manage more than 100,000 pages on the Department's intranet and web site. DHS has made OneNet available as an open source project to help promote accessibility.

The OneNet Editor

The OneNet editor is designed to be easy and familiar, while promoting the good accessibility practices:

Screen shot of the OneNet Editor showing the WYSIWYG editing area along with menus for Headings, Lists, Links, Images, Tables, and more.

Automating Accessibility

OneNet takes a proactive approach to accessibility, prompting authors to address accessibility as they work and explaining how to do it:

Screen shot of the OneNet Image Dialog prompting and explaining how to enter appropriate alternate text.

Accessibility Checkers

A set of "accessibility checkers" can be used to visualize important accessibility features and to check that no accessibility mistakes slipped through:

Screen shot of the OneNet Heading Checker showing an outline of headings in the document and explaing how to check that they are correct.

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