Getting accessibility working for your

organization

Introduction

Presenters

Anna Beard @abeard07, Faculty of Mathematics

Jonathan Woodcock @jbwoodcock, Communications & Public Affairs

Context

University of Waterloo:• Founded 1957• 35,000 in full- and part-time students in graduate

and undergraduate programs, 1,100 full-time faculty, 2,100 full-time staff

• 4 campuses in Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Stratford

• 6 faculties, 4 federated universities and colleges

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

Compliance• AODA Part II, Section 14(4) states all our web content

must conform with WCAG 2.0 Level A as of January 2014, and Level AA by 2021

• AODA Part II, Section 14(5) states that the requirements apply to websites, web content and web applications the organization controls, and to all web content published after January 2012

Source: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/source/regs/english/2011/elaws_src_regs_r11191_e.htm#BK15

Clear guidelines, muddy message

Clear the mud

• Incorporate and augment your existing training.• What can your platform do for you?• Where are your ‘choke points’?• Standards and legislation are technical, but this

is not only a technical problem.

How we’re dealing with AODA?

• We’re creating champions• We practicing what we

preach• Best effort is not enough• We’re focusing on training

and support

How we’re dealing with AODA?

• We’re tackling this from a top level down approach.

• We’re working with content and computing specialists to make sure we’re complying with regulations

How we’re moving forward

• Training for admin staff• Bringing researchers into the

conversation.• Continuing to work with the central team to

relay support needs

Where I fit in the picture

• Leading by example• Working with others across campus and

bringing that information back• Being an information source for faculty

and staff• Relying on CPA & IST

Accessibility Working Group Report

• Active assessment of compliance and gaps.

• 9 key recommendations, broad risk assessment.

• Underlined the need for clear accountability in a role or department.

Progress to date

• Waterloo Content Management System (WCMS)– 255 sites migrated as of today.

• Staff training covering accessibility for code, content, graphics and documents

Questions?

Anna Beard @abeard07

Jonathan Woodcock @jbwoodcock