Minnesota's Office of Accessibility newsletter includes link to COGA's Research Documents Survey

Hello,
The Office of Accessibility newsletter (below) published this morning. It includes information about COGA’s Research Documents Survey. The newsletter was sent to 2627 recipients.
Jennie

Jennie Delisi, MA, Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA)
Accessibility Analyst | Office of Accessibility
Minnesota IT Services | Partners in Performance
658 Cedar Street
St. Paul, MN 55155
O: 651-201-1135
Information Technology for Minnesota Government | mn.gov/mnit<http://mn.gov/mnit>
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From: Minnesota IT Services <MNIT_Services@public.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2022 7:54 AM
To: Delisi, Jennie (MNIT) <jennie.delisi@state.mn.us>
Subject: (Office of Accessibility) Accessibility "feast" here! Calorie free but stuffed with insider tips!

Boost your workflow, Microsoft Teams meeting accessibility, and PDF know-how!


Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a webpage<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMTcuNjY4MTg2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NvbnRlbnQuZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkuY29tL2FjY291bnRzL01OSVQvYnVsbGV0aW5zLzMzODFmN2MifQ.-nXbHdVjiGw55so8TeGJJPLygNpfk-cRAtWKAUkq42Q/s/545525265/br/148391541441-l>
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Digital Accessibility News
From the Office of Accessibility at Minnesota IT Services
[Computer keyboard and code]
[Text: Workforce One; diverse group making a hand stack.]
5 Insider Tips To Make Accessibility Part Of Workflow
Minnesota’s Workforce One Team Shares Their Accessibility Plan
By:

  *   JoAnn Rautio, Minnesota IT Services partnering with the Department of Employment and Economic Development, and
  *   Jennie Delisi, Office of Accessibility
You may have said to yourself: accessibility testing should be part of a technology project’s workflow. The questions your colleagues may ask next are “who will do that?” and, “how does that work in real life?” The answers to both questions are:

  *   It takes a team of people, working together.
  *   It takes time to mature the process, catch all aspects of each type of workflow.
  *   And, it is an ever-evolving process.
According to DEED, “Nearly 2,000 state, city, county, and non-profit employment and training providers use Workforce One (WF1) to track employment and training services to more than 100,000 customers across Minnesota's One Stop network.” WF1 is a web-based client management application. It “was created through a partnership between the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)."
This month we learn from the team of state employees who work on and support the Workforce One project. Some work for Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) – the state of Minnesota’s IT department. Others work for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Team members share their tips for making accessibility part of workflow, including:

  *   Their Chief Business Technology Officer.
  *   The product owner.
  *   The business analyst.
  *   The Project Management Office Supervisor.
Read their accessibility tips in 5 Insider Tips To Make Accessibility Part Of Workflow.<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMTcuNjY4MTg2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vbW4uZ292L21uaXQvbWVkaWEvYmxvZy9pbmRleC5qc3A_aWQ9MzgtNTQ4MDIyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.ExXHILQhqYl-mTk3_U34UFa8okCmWXkCkDA-Q7zVmlk/s/545525265/br/148391541441-l>
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[Microsoft Teams logo]
Improve Accessibility of Your Teams Meetings
- Questions and Answers (Part 1)
By: Jennie Delisi, Office of Accessibility
Ever want the inside scoop on Microsoft Teams accessibility? On October 12, 2022 Microsoft gave a training for state of Minnesota employees. They had the opportunity to learn the latest of what is available in the version of Teams they use – part of the Government Community Cloud (GCC). We collected the questions they asked, the answers we got, and we are sharing them with you!
Many thanks to the subject matter experts that contributed to these responses, including:

  *   Macauley Kloetzly, Microsoft.
  *   Kris Schulze, Experience IT Manager.
  *   Jay Wyant, Chief Information Accessibility Officer.
Learn:

  *   Where to find Microsoft Teams accessibility tips.
  *   How to make your cursor easier for participants to see.
  *   How to read PowerPoint Live content with a screen reader.
  *   Why the transcript may seem to stop.
Tons of accessibility tips in Improve Accessibility of Your Teams Meetings.<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMTcuNjY4MTg2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vbW4uZ292L21uaXQvbWVkaWEvYmxvZy9pbmRleC5qc3A_aWQ9MzgtNTQ3OTcwJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.jwkVhqHMC1Fp2DXQEERbSnQapwPEQDHjOX8dIHS3MIU/s/545525265/br/148391541441-l>
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Research Documents Survey by the COGA Task Force
Do you find the research done by the Cognitive and Learning Disabilities Accessibility (COGA) Task Force<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMTcuNjY4MTg2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvV0FJL0dML3Rhc2stZm9yY2VzL2NvZ2EvP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.0j77_M7VQhrXeQOz-MLnOk6e_ef4qHMVM9x4lAVu4gw/s/545525265/br/148391541441-l> useful? Help them make it better.
Take a survey about the W3C's research documents on accessibility for People with Cognitive and Learning Disabilities.<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMTcuNjY4MTg2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2RvY3MuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS9mb3Jtcy9kL2UvMUZBSXBRTFNjNHVndTRpV1JsRVE4NC1OV0ptYWl3dFZXa1hEMW1oZEN4QjZNTXk4Tl9tVDU2Qmcvdmlld2Zvcm0_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.7URxHWEGV8pudknMe0riddILcG5-f3qkk1d97mgXCWg/s/545525265/br/148391541441-l> Through the survey they would like to understand how people are using the current content, and what the Task Force needs to update. This will help them make the next version more useful. The survey closes November 30, 2022.
For maximum reach, help them by sharing the survey widely. This will help them make the next versions even better!
This survey is anonymous unless you choose to give them your contact information for more conversations. Have questions? Send the COGA Task Force an email<mailto:w3c-coga@googlegroups.com> about the Research Documents survey.
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Thank You, Subscribers! You Make a Difference!
Did you know that you have been key to making this such a successful newsletter? Thank you!
In the last 12 months, your support has helped:

  *   Share information about accessibility. You shared the newsletters over 2,300 times!
  *   Readers open our newsletters over 37,500 times.
  *   Increase our number of subscribers 24%.
  *   Reach people who are:
     *   state of Minnesota employees.
     *   people who live in Minnesota and are interested in digital accessibility. This includes employees of cities and counties.
     *   employees of other states, the federal government, colleges and universities.
     *   interested in digital accessibility and live in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
(Data from November 3, 2021 to November 3, 2022)
Education and awareness are key steps towards creating more accessible digital spaces. We appreciate all you do to educate yourself and others about the need for accessibility.
We also want to take a moment to thank the behind-the-scenes newsletter support team from the Minnesota IT Services' communications team. Suzanne, Jeremy, Kendall, and Laura - thank you for all you do!
Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and peaceful holiday season.
- Office of Accessibility staff (Jay and Jennie)
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Tech Tip: New PDF Accessibility Training!
Are you new to making PDFs accessible? Or, do you need something to help remember steps for a part of the process?
Good news! The state of Minnesota just released their PDF Accessibility Training!<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMTcuNjY4MTg2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21uLmdvdi9tbml0L2Fib3V0LW1uaXQvYWNjZXNzaWJpbGl0eS90cmFpbmluZy9wZGYtMTAxLmpzcD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.IurqKtVEChLRmQvWzdI9k3loCXhUkpTW3WRCzd3rXoo/s/545525265/br/148391541441-l>
In this free e-Learning you will find short modules. Each focuses on a single topic. For example, you can learn how to:

  *   “Walk the tag tree” – check the tag order and type of tag.
  *   Create or adjust lists.
  *   Work with tables.
  *   Use the accessibility checker and understand the results.
Each module contains a video and video transcript.
Events and Trainings
Conference: GOVIT Symposium
Date: December 6-8, 2022.
Location: Virtual and in-person (St. Paul, MN).
Description:
“Join Fusion Learning Partners for the 2022 GOVIT Symposium with 3 in-person days (at the Saint Paul RiverCentre) and featured virtual sessions. Attendees can expect nothing but the best from this year’s hybrid Symposium. With a focus on connection and collaboration, you will meet industry experts and partners who can help discover innovative solutions to your government sector needs."
“The 2022 Symposium will host government leaders and professionals from across the greater Midwest — including city, county, state, and regional agencies, as well as state college and university offices.”
Note from the Office of Accessibility: While there is no official accessibility track, the conference includes accessibility as part of their IT lifecycle tracks. Searching the word “accessibility” on the 2022 sessions page returns many results! Sessions discussing accessibility include topics like:

  *   Hennepin County’s Digital Accessibility Journey.
  *   Improving UX with Accessible Web Standards.
  *   Buying Accessible Tech.
And, there will be an Experience Lab!
Full conference details, including registration fees, are on the GOVIT Symposium website.<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMTcuNjY4MTg2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2Z1c2lvbmxwLm9yZy9nb3ZpdHN5bS8_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.OR4yLOCF51b4Zzm3X2PYoQo08Oip8AAieA1d1KW3MNU/s/545525265/br/148391541441-l>
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Free Webinar: DEIA – What Does it Mean to Have Accessibility in the Federal Workplace?
Date: November 29, 2022
Time: Noon – 1:30pm Central Time
Description:
“President Biden's Executive Order to Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Federal Workforce requires that federal workspaces must be fully accessible to employees with disabilities. This means that they must be designed and constructed to be accessible as required by the Architectural Barriers Act, which ensures access to federally funded facilities. Digital workspaces, including information and communication technology used by federal agencies, must be accessible as well under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. This session will review accessibility requirements for employee work areas in the ABA Accessibility Standards (ABAAS), including provisions for accessible routes, parking, entrances, workspaces, break rooms, locker rooms, and other areas. Presenters will also review requirements in the Section 508 Standards for computers, telecommunications equipment, software, websites, information kiosks and transaction machines, and electronic documents. Questions can be submitted in advance of the session or can be posed during the live webinar. This webinar will include video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning.”
Speakers:

  *   Bill Botten, Training Coordinator, Senior Accessibility Specialist, Office of Technical and Information Services, U.S. Access Board.
  *   Timothy Creagan, Senior Accessibility Specialist, U.S. Access Board.
  *   Katherine Eng, Senior ICT Accessibility Specialist, U.S. Access Board.
  *   Sarah Presley, Accessibility Specialist, U.S. Access Board.
More information is on the Great Lakes ADA Center’s webpage: DEIA – What Does It Mean to Have Accessibility in the Federal Workplace?<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMTcuNjY4MTg2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2FjY2Vzc2liaWxpdHlvbmxpbmUub3JnL2Npb2MtNTA4L3Nlc3Npb24vP2lkPTExMTAyMSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.IF1X5tsJDRs7166DaAbBgkKY_q_OG2e1COMpaHsAVAg/s/545525265/br/148391541441-l>
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Virtual and In-Person Conference: ATIA
Dates: January 31 – February 4, 2023
Location: online and Orlando, Florida
Description:
“Over the past 23 years, ATIA has been a community gathering for assistive technology practitioners, teachers, parents and caregivers, persons with disabilities and more to learn, network and share on the best in assistive technology. The ATIA 2023 Conference will offer multiple flexible registration options — including in-person and virtual — allowing you to select the package that works best for you and your teams.”
Suggestion: review the session strand<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMTcuNjY4MTg2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hdGlhLm9yZy9hdGlhLTIwMjMtc2Vzc2lvbi1zdHJhbmRzLz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.Bl3cNjBd5XliI6Wi4Hy1PUqzZhdOWFtsdfkOnP5_Ejo/s/545525265/br/148391541441-l> “Mainstream and Web Accessibility Technologies” and search “accessibility” in the Online Session Directory.<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMTcuNjY4MTg2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3MzLmdvZXNob3cuY29tL2F0aWEvb3JsYW5kby8yMDIzL3Nlc3Npb25fZGlyZWN0b3J5LmNmbT91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.i6Ob4I8Oi26CSU1tcMTht_VCjZB1iYlUWBRwQjl6AnM/s/545525265/br/148391541441-l>
More information, including registration fees, is available on the ATIA 2023 Conference website.<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMTcuNjY4MTg2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hdGlhLm9yZy9hdGlhLTIwMjMvP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.PfB77fhP01E-lIjf7IpaIXt5pDjhIksPX3NmA_9crGI/s/545525265/br/148391541441-l>
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Visit the Office of Accessibility website<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMTcuNjY4MTg2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21uLmdvdi9tbml0L2Fib3V0LW1uaXQvYWNjZXNzaWJpbGl0eS8_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.qYuvw-myyoWUgPCAKQyrJ9TeQEvojseKITaNLJI_UVY/s/545525265/br/148391541441-l> for digital accessibility information and resources. Share this newsletter with others! All are welcome to subscribe<https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjExMTcuNjY4MTg2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3B1YmxpYy5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYWNjb3VudHMvTU5JVC9zdWJzY3JpYmVyL25ldz90b3BpY19pZD1NTklUXzI3MCJ9.QOOfQiPwhP0snlxjNs9w-UrfT0UrePt4B4vrvmmARV8/s/545525265/br/148391541441-l>.
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