Accessibility Issues with Wikis and other Web 2.0 Technologies Eileen Boswell Bridging the Spectrum...

Accessibility Issues with Wikis and other Web 2.0

Technologies

Eileen Boswell

Bridging the SpectrumThe Catholic University of America

January 30, 2009

OverviewDefinitionsChallengesSpecific Web 2.0 IssuesSolutionsResources

Eileen Boswell January 30, 2009 2

DefinitionsInclusive DesignWeb 2.0DisabilitySection 508Web Accessibility

PerceivableOperableUnderstandableRobust

Eileen Boswell January 30, 2009 3

ChallengesNon-accessible file formatsKeyboard equivalents for all

mouse actionsImages, color contrast, animationComplex or ambiguous languagePosting to blog or a wikiText equivalent of photo sharing?

Web 1.0

Web 2.0

Eileen Boswell January 30, 2009 4

WikisWhat is a wiki?Why is it called a wiki?Wiki platformsWiki issues

EnterEditSearch

Eileen Boswell January 30, 2009 5

Eileen Boswell January 30, 2009 6

Entering a Wiki

Searching a Wiki

Eileen Boswell January 30, 2009 7

Editing a Wiki

Eileen Boswell January 30, 2009 8

Eileen Boswell January 30, 2009 9

More Web 2.0 TechnologiesPhoto sharing (e.g.Flickr)Video sharing

(e.g. YouTube)Blogs; Microblogging

(e.g. Twitter)Open source add-ons and

WidgetsCAPTCHAs

Eileen Boswell January 30, 2009 10

Maps and mash-upsSocial Bookmarking

(e.g. del.icio.us)Networking Sites

(e.g. Facebook)WebconferencingVirtual Worlds

(e.g. Second Life)Tag clouds

Image description: Double-headed arrow showing range of cost/ investment for accessible technology

Acquire only software applications that include accessibility checks

Provide alternative means/format where appropriate

Choose the simplest interface for your needsSolicit feedback from disability advocates

and/or focus groupsWrite a Web 2.0 policy statementProvide contact information on all content

High-tech

Low-tech

$$$

$

Solutions

Eileen Boswell January 30, 2009 12

ResourcesAssociation of Specialized and Cooperative

Libraries (ASCLA)The Access Board Section 508EPA Web 2.0 Working Group White PaperWorld Wide Web Consortium Web Accessibility

Initiative (W3C/WAI) Guidelines 2.0 (12/2008)Is Wikipedia Usable by the Blind? (Buzzi & Leoporini, 2008)

Eileen Boswell January 30, 2009 13

Thank you!

Eileen Boswell

86boswell@cua.edu

14