Accessibility

For teachers and content developers

We want it now!

What is accessibility?Define accessibility in web design context

Accessible Web Design

“… philosophy and practice of designing web content so that it can be navigated and read by everyone, regardless of location, experience, or the type of computer technology used.”

World Wide Web Access: Disability Discrimination Act Advisory Notes, 2012http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/standards/www_3/www_3.html#whatis

1st of 8 VET E-Standards

“Accessible e-learning content means that it can be used by the widest possible combination of users and computer hardware and software configurations, including people with disabilities.”

Download 2012 VET E-standards (MS Word 728kB) (Opens in new window)

TAFE Qld Learning Resource Design Principles

The LRDP comprise five overarching principles:

1. Presentation

2. Learning design

3. Intellectual property

4. Discovery for reuse

5. Accessibility

Staff Support Site, my.TAFE

Staff Support Site, my.TAFE

Universal Design

Universal Design is about “designing resources that are as accessible as possible to most people, more of the time, regardless of disability, language and literacy skills”

Accessibility Information, Staff Support Site, my.TAFE, 2012

Accessibility is linked to “Universal Design”

What do I have to do?

Find out about W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0)

WCAG 2.0

All government web content must meet the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0) to a minimum of Level AA compliance:• Level A (Single A) by 31 December 2012• Level AA (Double A) by 31 December 2014• To claim conformance websites must meet

all five WCAG 2.0 conformance requirements

Accessibility Web Guide, Australian Government, 2012 http://webguide.gov.au/accessibility-usability/accessibility/

W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

• A customizable quick reference to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 requirements (success criteria) and techniques: W3C - How to Meet WCAG 2.0 (Opens in new window)

• Understanding Conformance and Accessibility Supported Technologies: W3C - Understanding WCAG 2.0 (Opens in new window)

• The Australian Government Information Office (AGIMO): Australian Government Accessibility Web Guide (Opens in new window)

E-standards for Training: Accessibility, National VET E-Learning Strategy, 2012 http://e-standards.flexiblelearning.net.au/technical_standards/accessibility.php

How do I do it?Tips and Key Points for Accessibility

Tips

1. Alternative TextImages, Tables, Videos, Links

2. NavigationHeadings, Menus, Home, Next, Back, Top

3. Alternative ModesText Only, Audio, Printable, Full-Page

4. Colour and ContrastBranding vs Aesthetics vs Usability

Digital Content Advancing Practice Workshop, Francis Kneebone, 2012bit.ly/content2012

Key Points

• Text alternatives for images, graphs, video and multimedia should be planned and implemented during the production process

• Content with high bandwidth requirements (such as video)

should also be provided in a low bandwidth alternative (e.g. still images and text)

VET E-learning content development guidelines, Commonwealth of Australia, 2011, p4

Key Points

• Access to all content should be possible without the use of scripts (e.g. JavaScript)

• Test the accessibility of your content using the Web Accessibility Toolbar (Internet Explorer http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/ais/toolbar/ )

or the Web Developer Add-in (Firefox http://chrispederick.com/work/web-developer/ )

VET E-learning content development guidelines, Commonwealth of Australia, 2011, p4

Validation Tools

Validate learning content before publishing:

• Colour Contrasthttp://www.accesskeys.org/tools/color-contrast.html

• Screen Readabilityhttp://webanywhere.cs.washington.edu/beta/

• Layout Errorshttp://wave.webaim.org/

Digital Content Advancing Practice Workshop, Francis Kneebone, 2012bit.ly/content2012

“The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone

regardless of disability is an

essential aspect”

Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web and Director of W3Chttp://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/standards/www_3/www_3.html#whatis