Disability Inclusion and Liveable Communities

Dr Scott HollierLocal government NSW 2014

Information needed from local government website

• Rubbish collection-related • Pay rates and fines • Pet registration• Library-related • Building applications• Community events • Contact information

Could the local community find that information here?

Reasons for community online accessibility support

• For people with disabilities, accessibility tools + accessible content = online independence

• Assistive technology often built-in or free, can be set up in local library

• Accessible online content required under NTS and necessary for tools to work

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• Roles: all staff• Need: basic training and policy

awareness• Use screen reader: turn off monitor

and use your website in similar way to blind person

Solution 1 – understand the user experience

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• Roles: policy officers• Requirements of Australian

government (Web, documents) • Requirements of UNCRPD• Relevant web and ISO standards

Solution 2 – review and implement policies

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• Roles: ICT professionals• Focus on W3C Web Content Accessibility

Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 ISO standard • 12 guidelines include use of alternative

text, captioning videos, colour contrast, navigation, predictable ways of using, helping users avoid and correct mistakes, content accessible by keyboard

Solution 3 – address website accessibility

Solution 4 – Create accessible documents

• Roles: content producers• Need to consider the best document

format (HTML, Word, PDF) • HTML techniques such as no ‘click here’,

styles, layout • Word: techniques such as use of styles,

accessible tables, alternative text• PDF: techniques include effective tagging,

structuring and providing alternatives

Solution 5 – accessible external messages

• Roles: marketing and communications• Structuring emails in an accessible way

including text alternatives and labels • Facebook: providing accessible layouts and

structures • Twitter: using accessibility-related hashtags• YouTube: providing captions on videos• Blogs: accessible layout and accessible

content

Solution 6 – Accessible public computer facilities

• Roles: staff working directly with people with disabilities such as library staff and carers

• Support needed for decision-making process on: • Should computers be upgraded? • Is one OS better than another to meet the

individual need?• Are there apps available that can help?• Relates to Windows, iOS, Android

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• Service Providers Accessibility Guide

• Professional Certificate in Web Accessibility

• Web accessibility know how – accessiq.org

How we can help

How we can help

• Web accessibility audits and action plans• Consulting and advice on media access

issues• On-site customised training and

workshops• Accessibility awareness – e-learning and

quickfact checklists• Accessible content writing (Word, PDF,

web)

Further information

• E-mail: scott.hollier@mediaaccess.org.au

• Telephone: • (02) 9212 6242 (head office) • (08) 9311 8230 (direct)

• Website: www.mediaaccess.org.au• Twitter: @mediaaccessaus