Download ppt - Does Accessibility Matter? Introduction to issues of accessible web and technology design Teaching and Technology Trends Symposium October 20, 2006 Sharron

Does Accessibility Matter?

Introduction to issues ofaccessible web and technology design

Teaching and Technology Trends Symposium

October 20, 2006 Sharron Rush & Glenda Sims

© 2001-2003 Knowbility, Inc. All rights reserved

© 2001-2006 All rights reserved. Knowbility, Inc 2

Objectives

• Introduce accessibility terms / history / laws• Understand the need for universal design• Experience the problem of access barriers• Answer your questions• Provide resources for further exploration


Accessibility terms


what is accessibility?

When all users - regardless of

disability - can obtain the same information

and perform the same functions.


why is accessibility important?

• More than 50 million Americans have disabilities.• 750 million worldwide

• Numbers increasing as population ages.• $1 trillion in aggregate annual income.• Emerging best business practices.• Government and institutional mandates.


For most people technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible. President’s Council on Disabilities

Because of technology, our society has the unprecedented potential to include children and adults with disabilities in independent living options.

We can not ignore the human cost of failing to realize that potential.


Accessibility History

Who cares about accessibility?

….more people every day.


Accessibility in law and policy

• In the US:> Americans with Disabilities Act and others> The Rehabilitation Act – Section 504, Section 508> States: Example -Texas Administrative Code

• Title 1, Chapter 206, Subchapter B State Web Sites

> Institutions: Example - University of Texas Guidelines

• Internationally> Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)> Equivalent laws in Europe, Japan, Australia, others


Brief Look at WCAG

www.w3.org/wai

Developed by consensual process• Comprehensive: Includes over 60 checkpoints• Widely accepted: European Union, Canada, Australia have adopted WCAG.• Three levels of compliance declaration

> Priority 1 (Meets minimum goals)> Priority 2> Priority 3 (Most accessible)


Brief Look at Section 508

www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.22.htm

Legally applies only to federal agencies:• Shorter: 508 has 16 checkpoints, WCAG over 60• Experience: 508 based on WCAG’s most critical accessibility checkpoints.• Measurable: 508 standards developed to be objective and measurable.


States also developing standards

• New York, California, Florida,Texas, Michigan, others….

• Texas Administrative Code, managed by Department of Information Resources • Chapter 206 State Web Sites• Texas House Bill 2819

• Often inadequate measures of enforcement and/or support for adopted standards.


But…is the Web a “public place?”

So far, no definitive court ruling…. • Some indicate YES>NFB vs AOL>New York State vs. Priceline

• Some not so clear>Southwest Airlines

• Some in progress>Target

Don’t wait for law suit !


Accessibility in Higher Education

• Universities, colleges, community colleges, schools• May be affected by state regulation• Enforcement is difficult• Guided by policy


Accessibility in Community Colleges

Research at Cornell University on

Accessibility of Community College Web Sites

June 2006 – Sharon Trerise


Creating a culture of accessibility @ UT


UT Austin’s Experience

• 2000-Present• Leader: Accessibility Evangelist• Proactive Review: Manual and/or WebXM• Resources: Hands-on Accessibility Training• Help:1-on-1 Accessibility Consulting• Guidelines: Accessibility Policy• Competition: Accessibility Internet Rally


the need for Universal Design


devices must work together

• standard hardware meets AT requirements• adherence to same standards of design

and interoperability make accessibility possible

• compatibility


Assistive Technology

• ANY device that allows someone with a disability to perform daily tasks.

• May be> Low tech (pencil grip, slant board, cane)> Mid-tech (motorized wheelchair, scooters)> High-tech (computer based technologies)

• Appropriate AT depends on task, environment, and individual need


web assistive technology

Alternative Keyboard, Alternative Mouse, Slo-Mo Software, Refreshable Braille Display, Screen Magnifier, Screen Reader…

• Examples of Screen Magnifiers/Screen Readers:• Zoom Text by AI Squared - screen magnifying

software that makes computers accessible/friendly to low-vision users. www.aisquared.com

• JAWS by Freedom Scientific – popular screen reading software. Uses internal speech synthesizer and computer’s sound card to read info from computer screen aloud. www.freedomscientific.com

• Home Page Reader by IBM – a web access tool for blind and low vision users. www.ibm.com/able/

http://www.freedomscientific.com/


what kind of disability is affected?

• Visual – blind, low vision, color blind

• Motor/Physical

• Auditory

• Cognitive/Learning


VisualIssues• Graphics• Color• Icons• Point and click

AT solutions• Screenreaders• Magnification• Keyboard access• Voice input• Braille output


Motor/PhysicalPotential Issues• May not use mouse• May not use key combinations• Timed response

AT solutions• Track Balls• Modified keyboards• Voice input• “Sticky keys”


Auditory - Deaf and hard of hearing

Issues• Music• Auditory cues• Audio tracks• Webcasts

AT solutions• Augmentive listening• Text transcripts• Visual cues


Cognitive / Learning

Potential Issues

• Learning modes

• Timed response

• Attention span

• others

AT solutions

• Multi-modes of access

• AT combinations

• user control


your turn…..

• What assistive devices are in common use, designed for people with disabilities but used by much wider audiences everyday?

• wheelchair ramps / curb cuts

• automatic door opener

• closed captioning

• others?


Quasi-Disabilities

These conditions create experience similar to that of users with disabilities:

• Slow Internet Connection• Old Browser• Missing Plug-ins• No Speakers• Small Display• Eyes Busy / Hands Busy• Noisy Environment

Access


navigate the web

…with a screen reader


Universal Accessibility

• supports all people• supports all technology• generally makes site better for all• relationship to usability• search engine optimization• avoid a separate “text-only” version

“Web for Everyone. Web on Everything.”

- www.w3.org/Consortium/mission


Resources for further study

• knowbility.org • jimthatcher.com• utexas.edu/learn/accessibility/

• Contact Knowbility for accessibility training classes offered monthly

knowbility.org512 305-0310


wrap-up

What Questions Do You Have?

T H A N K S ! !For your interest in accessibility

Glenda Sims Sharron Rush

[email protected] [email protected]