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Topics for Web Accessibility Presentations and Training
[Draft for review - updated 23 November 2012]
Introduction
This page provides material for web accessibility topics that you can use as building blocks to create presentations and training sessions. These are examples that you can adapt and combine for your specific audience and goals.
List of Topics
- Introducing Accessibility
- Introducing Web Accessibility
- How People with Disabilities Use the Web
- Components of Web Accessibility (sample presentation available)
- Promoting Web Accessibility
- Guidelines and Techniques
- Managing Accessibility
- Evaluating Accessibility
See also: How to Make Your Presentations Accessible to All for guidance on ensuring that your training is accessible to all of your audience, including participants with disabilities.
1. Introducing Web Accessibility
Goal: Communicate the basic principles of web accessibility, why it is important, and who is affected.
Audience: Anyone with an interest in the web, disability, or related topics.
Description
This topic introduces the importance of the Web as an essential communication tool and the fact that people with disabilities and older people should have equal, barrier-free access.
What this topic covers
- Access to the Web is an essential requirement for full participation in the information society
- Effect of accessibility barriers on people's access to web based information systems and services
- Meaning and importance of web accessibility for people with disabilities and older people
- WAI guidelines and resources as the international standard for web accessibility
- How to get involved and where to get more information about web accessibility
Resources for developing a presentation
Primary resources
- Accessibility - W3C - introduces the why, what and how of web accessibility
- Introduction to Web Accessibility - a longer introduction to the what, why and how of web accessibility
- Overview of WAI presentation, in particular:
- Web Accessibility for Older Users presentation, in particular:
- How People with Disabilities use the Web - provides examples of people with different disabilities using Web sites, applications, browsers, and authoring tools
- WAI Guidelines for addressing different components of the web accessibility equation
- Participating in WAI
Handouts
- WCAG 2 at a Glance - a paraphrased summary of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.0
Suggestions for speakers
- Discussion: Discuss scenarios from How People with Disabilities use the Web to illustrate the importance of web accessibility.
- Demonstration: Show some videos of people with disabilities using the Web
. - Demonstration: Show examples of accessible and inaccessible websites, and the effect they have on access with assistive technologies. Consider using the Before and After Demonstration.
- Activity: Ask attendees what kind of accessibility accommodations in buildings, transport, or every day life are they aware of? When they answer ramps, curb cuts, captions, automatic doors, elevators, etc., ask if anyone uses those accommodations other than people with disabilities. Discuss how accessibility features benefit everyone. Draw the analogy with web accessibility.
2. How People with Disabilities Use the Web
Goal: Provide an understanding of how people with disabilities and older people access the Web, and the type of barriers they can encounter. Highlight the importance of web accessibility in an information society.
Audience: Anyone with an interest in the web, disability, ageing, or related topics.
Description
This topic explores accessibility barriers for people with disabilities and older people using the Web. It also gives an introduction to the principles of accessible web design, and an overview on assistive technologies and adaptive browsing strategies.
What this topic covers
- Broad diversity of people, abilities, skills, and preferences
- Impact of web accessibility on people with disabilities, including people with age-related impairments
- Accessibility needs and examples of common barriers that affect millions of people
- Assistive technologies and adaptive strategies used by people with disabilities
- Accessibility requirements and technical standards for web accessibility
- Where to get more information
Resources for developing a presentation
Primary resources
- How People with Disabilities use the Web - provides examples of people with different disabilities using websites, web applications, browsers, and authoring tools
Additional resources
- Overview of WAI presentation, in particular Web accessibility is a Cross-Disability Issue
- Web Accessibility for Older Users presentation, in particular material from Changing Abilities of Older People
- Essential Components of Web Accessibility - shows how Web accessibility depends on several components working together and the role of the WAI guidelines
- Better Web Browsing: Tips for Configuring Your Computer - references to resources to help people customize their web browser and computer setup
Handouts
- WAI Web Accessibility Resources - includes information about Essential Components of Web Accessibility with a diagram
- WCAG 2 at a Glance - a paraphrased summary of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0
Suggestions for speakers
- Demonstration: Show examples of using assistive technologies and adaptive strategies, and/or show videos of people with disabilities using the Web .
- Activity/Demonstration: Explore the usage of accessible versus inaccessible websites, while using the keyboard only to navigate; wearing mittens or gardening gloves; very fast mouse pointer; onscreen keyboard (no physical keyboard); blurred glasses; very high browser zoom; no sound; etc. Discuss the difficulties with inaccessible websites and the solutions used in accessible websites.
- Tip: Give accessibility a human face, for example by relating it to older relatives, such as grandparents, who may be encountering accessibility barriers as they go online.
- Tip: Suggest participants repeat the activity/demonstration on other websites after the session.
3. Components of Web Accessibility
Goal: Introduction to the WAI standards and guidelines for web accessibility.
Audience: Web developers and others responsible for creating accessible online content and applications, accessibility advocates, ICT departments
Description
This topic explores the components of web accessibility, in particular the WAI Guidelines for:
- user agents (browsers and media players)
- authoring tools (tools used by content authors and web developers)
- web content
It covers how these components work together to improve web accessibility.
What this topic covers
- Three related sets of WAI guidelines working together:
- User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG)
- Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG)
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
- Understand the role of each guideline in creating and maintaining an accessible Web
- Role of underlying technologies (HTML, XML, CSS, SVG, SMIL, etc.) to enable accessibility
- WAI-ARIA for dynamic web pages and applications
- Understand how various guidelines and specifications interact to deliver accessibility
- Where to get more information
Resources for developing a presentation
Sample presentation
- Components of Web Accessibility presentation - can be used as the basis for this topic
Primary resources
- Essential Components of Web Accessibility - shows how Web accessibility depends on several components working together
- How People with Disabilities use the Web - provides examples of people with different disabilities using websites, web applications, browsers, and authoring tools
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview - an overview of WCAG and the related documentation
- Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG) Overview - an overview of ATAG and the related documentation
- User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG) Overview - an overview of UAAG and the related documentation
- WAI-ARIA Overview - describes the problems that WAI-ARIA addresses, and introduces the WAI-ARIA suite of technical documents
Handouts
- WAI Web Accessibility Resources - includes information about Essential Components of Web Accessibility with a diagram
- WCAG 2 at a Glance - a paraphrased summary of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.0
Suggestions for speakers
- Question: Ask audience if they have ever used velcro, and think about how it works. Each side of the velcro must do a job, one can't work without the other. Draw an analogy to assistive technologies, adaptive strategies, and accessible web design.
- Tip: Remind participants that even if they are not browser or authoring tool developers, they can help improve such tools by requesting accessibility features, especially during procurement.
4. Promoting Web Accessibility
Goal: Encourage web accessibility advocates and support their efforts to promote inclusive design practices.
Audience: Accessibility advocates
Description
This topic provides support for speakers who are promoting and furthering web accessibility within groups of all sizes and in any situation, from formal talks to personal conversations.
What this topic covers
- Web accessibility is an ongoing challenge that needs a high level of awareness
- WAI resources to help you reach your audience
- Opportunities to promote web accessibility
- Participation opportunities in WAI and other W3C projects
Resources for developing a presentation
Primary resources
- Contacting Organizations about Inaccessible Websites - steps and tips to help report websites with accessibility problems
- Why Standards Harmonization is Essential to Web Accessibility - explains the key role that harmonization of standards plays in increasing the accessibility of the Web
- How WAI Develops Accessibility Guidelines through the W3C Process: Milestones and Opportunities to Contribute - introduces how WAI works through a process designed to encourage community input and consensus development
- Participating in WAI - describes the different participation opportunities in WAI
- WAI Working Groups and Interest Groups - listing of all the WAI working groups and interest groups with links to their individual pages
- WCAG logos and ATAG logos - how and when to use the conformance logos
Additional resources
- Translating WAI Documents - pointer to translation policy; list of existing translations; priority list of documents for translation
- Developing Organizational Policies on Web Accessibility - addresses considerations that can arise when developing organizational policies on Web accessibility
Handouts
- WAI Web Accessibility Resources - includes information about Essential Components of Web Accessibility with a diagram
- WCAG 2 at a Glance - a paraphrased summary of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.0
5. Introducing WCAG 2.0
Goal: Provide basic familiarity with WCAG 2.0 and its benefits.
Audience: Anyone requiring an introduction to WCAG 2.0 and familiarization with the WCAG 2.0 documents.
Description
This topic presents the use of WCAG 2.0 when developing websites (especially techniques to use and techniques to avoid) that will improve accessibility for people with disabilities and older people.
What this topic covers
- The four basic principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) under which WCAG 2.0 is organized
- Relationship of the organizing principles to the supporting Guidelines, Success Criteria and associated techniques
- Structure of WCAG 2.0 success criteria and associated techniques (Sufficient, Advisory, Failure)
- Benefits of WCAG 2.0 in relation to internationalization, interoperability, adaptability to emerging technologies, etc.
- Tools and documents provided to support practical implementation and testing
- How to locate supporting resources through the "How to Meet WCAG 2.0" gateway
Resources for developing a presentation
Sample presentation
- Benefits of WCAG 2 presentation - a related presentation to draw from
Primary resources
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview - an overview of WCAG and the related documentation
- Understanding the Four Principles of Accessibility (from understanding WCAG 2.0)
- The WCAG 2.0 Documents - describes the different WCAG 2.0 technical documents, to help know where to go for different types of information
- How to Meet WCAG 2.0 - a customizable quick reference to WCAG 2.0 requirements and techniques
Additional resources
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 - formal technical specification (W3C Technical Report)
- Understanding WCAG 2.0 - a guide to understanding and implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0
- Techniques for WCAG 2.0 - techniques and failures for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0
Handouts
- WCAG 2 at a Glance - a paraphrased summary of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.0
- WAI Web Accessibility Resources - includes information about Essential Components of Web Accessibility with a diagram.
Suggestions for speakers
- Demonstration: Show how to effectively access WCAG 2.0 Guidelines, Success Criteria and associated techniques using How to Meet WCAG 2.0.
6. Migrating to WCAG 2
Goal: Help people wanting to transition to WCAG 2.0.
Audience: Web developers, policy makers, and accessibility advocates
Description
This topic provides support for those who have previously incorporated older accessibility standards and are interested in WCAG 2. Guidance to help prioritize, analyze, and document technical and organizational requirements.
What this topic covers
- Acknowledgement that the basic goals of web accessibility have not changed
- Advantages of WCAG 2.0 as a common target for accessibility
- Identification of priority areas for revision based on impact and effort
- The need to analyze and relate those priorities to WCAG 2.0 Principles, Guidelines and Success Criteria
- Methods to document the process and update organizational policies and supporting materials
- Where to get more information, including WCAG 2.0 translations
Resources for developing a presentation
Sample presentation
- Benefits of WCAG 2 presentation - a related presentation to draw from
Primary resources
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview - an overview of WCAG and the related documentation
- The WCAG 2.0 Documents - describes the different WCAG 2.0 technical documents, to help know where to go for different types of information
- How to Update Your Web Site from WCAG 1.0 to WCAG 2.0 - detailed guidance for designers, developers, and project managers
- How WCAG 2.0 Differs from WCAG 1.0 - describes the differences in structure and the different support resources
- Comparison of WCAG 1.0 Checkpoints to WCAG 2.0 - lists the new requirements in WCAG 2.0, and shows how each WCAG 1.0 checkpoint relates to WCAG 2.0
- WCAG 2.0 Translations - a list of complete and in-progress translations
Additional resources
- Improving the Accessibility of Your Web Site - approaches to make the process of improving accessibility more efficient and effective
- Implementation Plan for Web Accessibility - considerations for the planning process for implementing web accessibility
Handouts
- WCAG 2 at a Glance - a paraphrased summary of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.0
Suggestions for speakers
- Tip: Explain to participants that communicating migration plans in accessibility statements helps manage expectations.
7. Designing and Developing Accessible Websites with WCAG 2
Goal: Teach web developers how to create accessible web content and applications.
Audience: Web designers and developers
Description
This topic presents the use of WCAG 2.0 when developing websites (especially techniques to use, and techniques to avoid) that will improve accessibility for people with disabilities and older people.
Note: This topic could be presented as an introduction (such as part of a lecture to web design students) or as a multi-day workshop for developers. See also the related Topic 9: Accessibility of Authoring Tools.
What this topic covers
- Applicability of WCAG 2.0 Success Criteria to all web technologies, including dynamic content, multimedia, and other formats
- Application of techniques to meet WCAG 2.0 Success Criteria
- Distinguishing between the different categories of techniques (sufficient, advisory, and failure)
- Using advisory techniques to optimize accessibility beyond the minimum requirements
- Using How to Meet WCAG 2.0 to effectively access WCAG 2.0 Guidelines, Success Criteria and associated techniques
- Role of WAI-ARIA for dynamic applications using JavaScript, AJAX, and other technologies
- Where to get more information
Resources for developing a presentation
Primary resources
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview - an overview of WCAG and the related documentation
- The WCAG 2.0 Documents - describes the different WCAG 2.0 technical documents, to help know where to go for different types of information
- How to Meet WCAG 2.0 - a customizable quick reference to WCAG 2.0 requirements and techniques
- WCAG 2.0 Conformance - lists the WCAG 2.0 conformance levels and requirements
- WAI-ARIA Overview - describes the problems that WAI-ARIA addresses, and introduces the WAI-ARIA suite of technical document
- Benefits of WCAG 2 presentation - a complete presentation to draw from
Additional resources
- Improving the Accessibility of Your Web Site - approaches to make the process of improving accessibility more efficient and effective
- Implementation Plan for Web Accessibility - considerations for the planning process for implementing web accessibility
Handouts
- WCAG 2 at a Glance - a paraphrased summary of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.0
- Including People with Disabilities in Design Studies
Suggestions for speakers
- Demonstration: Show how to effectively access WCAG 2.0 Guidelines, Success Criteria and associated techniques using How to Meet WCAG 2.0.
- Activity/Demonstration: Explore the failures and repairs in the Before and After Demonstration. Consider carrying out evaluations on the inaccessible pages of the Demo and comparing with the reports provided, or carrying out repairs and comparing with the accessible pages of the Demo.
- Tip: Show examples of accessible websites with advanced features, such as multimedia or scripting, to illustrate how accessible web design can be applied to a wide range of websites.
- Tip: Suggest participants repeat the activity/demonstration on other websites after the session.
8. Browser Accessibility and UAAG
Goal: Help people understand the importance of browsers and media players in enabling web accessibility.
Audience: Web browser and media player developers, plug-in developers, assistive technology developers, ICT and procurement departments, web developers, accessibility advocates
Description
This topic explains the relationship between user agents (browsers, media players, and other tools that access content), web content, assistive technologies and adaptive strategies. It introduces the User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG), and explains their importance for people with disabilities and older people.
Note: See also the related Topic 3: Components of Web Accessibility.
What this topic covers
- Understanding how UAAG relates to other WAI guidelines
- Understanding user agents as one of the key components for web accessibility
- Principles and checkpoints for accessibility of user agents
- How user agents interface with assistive technologies
- Adaptive strategies used by people with disabilities in using user agents
Note: UAAG 2.0 is a mature draft and we expect that it will not change significantly. We recommend that you use the UAAG 2.0 draft in most cases, understanding that it might change. (For more information on the status of UAAG 2.0, see the UAAG Versions section of the UAAG Overview.)
Resources for developing a presentation
Sample presentation
- Components of Web Accessibility presentation - a related presentation to draw from
Primary resources
- User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG) Overview - an overview of UAAG and the related documentation
- [Draft] User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG) 2.0 - working draft for UAAG 2.0
- User Agent Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 - specifies requirements that, if satisfied by user agent developers, will lower barriers to accessibility
- Table of Checkpoints for User Agent Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 - list may be used to review a tool or set of tools for accessibility
- Better Web Browsing: Tips for Configuring Your Computer - references to resources to help people customize their web browser and computer setup
Handouts
- WAI Web Accessibility Resources - includes information about Essential Components of Web Accessibility with a diagram.
Suggestions for speakers
- Tip: Emphasize the important role of browser accessibility, such as increasing text size or supporting keyboard navigation, especially for people who do not use assistive technologies such as many older people.
- Activity/Demonstration: Explore how browsers and media players support adjusting text size or colors, navigating content using keyboard only, displaying captions, and other strategies from Better Web Browsing: Tips for Configuring Your Computer. Discuss the importance of user agents as the point of contact between people and the Web.
- Tip: Suggest participants repeat the activity/demonstration with different user agents and websites after the session.
9. Authoring Tool Accessibility and ATAG
Goal: Help people understand the importance of authoring tools in achieving web accessibility.
Audience: Authoring tool developers, web developers, ICT and procurement departments, web developers, accessibility advocates
Description
This topic explains the relationship between authoring tools (editors, content management systems, blogging tools, and other tools that produce content) and web content. It introduces the Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG), and explains the importance of authoring tools to achieve and maintain accessible websites.
Note: See also the related Topic 3: Components of Web Accessibility.
What this topic covers
- Understanding how ATAG relates to other WAI guidelines
- Understanding authoring tools as one of the key components for web accessibility
- Principles and checkpoints for accessibility of authoring tools
- Role of authoring tools to manage the accessibility of web content, including user generated content
- Considerations for selecting and using authoring tools that support accessibility
- Ensuring that authoring tools are themselves accessible to people with disabilities
Note: ATAG 2.0 is a mature draft and we expect that it will not change significantly. We recommend that you use the ATAG 2.0 draft in most cases, understanding that it might change. (For more information on the status of ATAG 2.0, see the ATAG Versions section of the ATAG Overview.)
Resources for developing a presentation
Sample presentation
- Components of Web Accessibility presentation - a related presentation to draw from
Primary resources
- Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG) Overview - an overview of ATAG and the related documentation
- [Draft] Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG) 2.0 - working draft for ATAG 2.0
- [Draft] Implementing ATAG 2.0 - a guide to understanding and implementing Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines 2.0
- Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 - specifies requirements that, if satisfied by authoring tool developers, will lower barriers to accessibility
- Selecting and Using Authoring Tools for Web Accessibility - provides information which may help find improved authoring tools and/or work around the gaps in existing authoring tools
Handouts
- WAI Web Accessibility Resources - includes information about Essential Components of Web Accessibility with a diagram.
Suggestions for speakers
- Tip: Ensure that audience understand the wide range of authoring tools, including WYSIWYG HTML editor, word processor, text editor, content management systems (CMS), blogging tools, social media applications, and websites that enable user generated content such as comments and reviews.
- Tip: Emphasize the importance of training for content authors and publishers in using the accessibility features of authoring tools to produce accessible web content.
- Activity/Demonstration: Explore how accessible authoring tools are, and how well the produce web content. For instance, can the authoring tool be used without a mouse, and does the generated content meet accessibility standards? Discuss the significant role of authoring tools to achieve and maintain accessibility, and the importance that authoring tools are themselves accessible to people with disabilities. Remind participants that there are people with disabilities among developers too.
- Tip: Suggest participants repeat the activity/demonstration with other authoring tools after the session.
10. Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA)
Goal: Provide an understanding of the requirements for accessible rich internet applications.
Audience: Web developers, framework/library developers, assistive technology developers, ICT and procurement departments
Description
This topic presents the use of WAI-ARIA resources and other accessibility techniques to develop rich internet applications that are accessible to people with disabilities.
Note: See also the related Topic 3: Components of Web Accessibility.
What this topic covers
- Accessibility barriers of rich internet applications
- Basic steps to make rich internet applications accessible
- Relationship between WAI-ARIA and WCAG 2.0
- Technical solutions provided by WAI-ARIA, including:
- WAI-ARIA features that help make Ajax, DHTML, etc accessible
- WAI-ARIA Roles, States, Properties, plus relationships and live regions
- WAI-ARIA keyboard navigation and focus handling
- Reminder that HTML 5 does not make WAI ARIA redundant
- Know where to get more information, including JavaScript toolkits and widget libraries
Resources for developing a presentation
Primary resources
- WAI-ARIA Overview - describes the problems that WAI-ARIA addresses, and introduces the WAI-ARIA suite of technical documents
- [Draft] WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices 1.0 - a guide to understanding and implementing Accessible Rich Internet Applications
- [Draft] WAI-ARIA Primer - introduces developers to the accessibility problems that WAI-ARIA is intended to solve, the fundamental concepts, and the technical approach of WAI-ARIA
- WAI-ARIA FAQ - some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about WAI-ARIA
- WAI-ARIA and scripting techniques from How to Meet WCAG 2.0
Handouts
- WAI Web Accessibility Resources - includes information about Essential Components of Web Accessibility and a link to the WAI-ARIA Overview page.
Suggestions for speakers
- Demonstration: Show examples of making rich internet applications accessible using WAI-ARIA. Discuss some of the current issues, including incomplete support and other open issues that will be resolved when WAI-ARIA is completed.
11. Business Case for Web Accessibility
Goal: Provide an appreciation of the business case for web accessibility.
Audience: Managers and decision makers, ICT and procurement departments, marketing and legal departments, accessibility advocates and others who inform decisions and policies
Description
This topic explores the social, technical, financial and legal factors that influence an organization's decision about web accessibility. It also provides an introduction to the development of web accessibility policies.
What this topic covers
- Benefits for people with and without disabilities, including the increasing ageing population
- Reduction of development and operational costs, including server load, bandwidth, and maintenance
- Improved cross-device browsing, including mobile phones, interactive television, and other delivery channels
- The legal and policy landscape, and liabilities associated with not implementing web accessibility
- Developing policies, including procurement practices, relating to web accessibility
- Case studies, statistic, and figures covering return on investment from web accessibility
Resources for developing a presentation
Primary resources
- Developing a Web Accessibility Business Case for Your Organization - a suite of pages covering the social, technical, financial, and legal and policy factors in the business case for web accessibility
- Resources for Developing a Web Accessibility Business Case for Your Organization, including:
- Overview of WAI presentation, in particular:
- Web Accessibility for Older Users presentation, in particular:
- Changing demographics
- Changing abilities of older people
- Policies Relating to Web Accessibility - links to laws and policies regarding web accessibility around the world
- Developing Organizational Policies on Web Accessibility - addresses considerations that can arise when developing organizational policies on web accessibility
Additional resources
Suggestions for speakers
- Discussion: Explore how accessibility solutions are becoming increasing available in mainstream products and services. For example, text-to-speech (speech synthesis), voice recognition (speech input), touch screens, motion sensors, and others in mobile devices, car navigation systems, interactive television, game consoles, and many more. Discuss how accessibility features benefit everyone, including people with and without disabilities.
- Question: Ask if anyone has experienced problems browsing the Web with a mobile phone. Discuss the barriers common to mobile device users and people with disabilities, and how accessible web design benefits mobile web users.
- Discussion: Explore the international, national, or organizational policies that are applicable to the participants. Discuss relevant policies relating to web accessibility, legal and policy factors in a web accessibility business case, and cautionary tales of inaccessibility.
- Discussion: Explore effective ways to increase the adoption of web accessibility within organizations. Discuss the role of key players, such as management, procurement, and local advocates.
- Tip: Refer to your local disability organizations for further background on statistics, local policies, and examples of good and bad practices.
- Tip: Give accessibility a human face, for example by relating it to older relatives, such as grandparents, who may be encountering accessibility barriers as they go online.
12. Improving the Accessibility of Existing Websites
Goal: Assistance for organizations taking the initial steps towards implementing web accessibility.
Audience: Web developers, website owners, decision makers
Description
This topic introduces the process of embracing web accessibility by improving existing websites. The topic also covers how to maintain the website's accessibility over time.
What this topic covers
- Considerations for setting appropriate web accessibility targets
- Identifying scope and nature of existing accessibility problems
- Creating an implementation plan to achieve the accessibility targets
- Ideas for prioritizing repairs according to different strategies
- Planning for ongoing monitoring and maintenance of accessibility
Resources for developing a presentation
Primary resources
- Improving the Accessibility of Your Web Site - approaches to make the process of improving accessibility more efficient and effective
- Implementation Plan for Web Accessibility - considerations for the planning process for implementing web accessibility
- Preliminary Review of Web Sites for Accessibility - describes a method to quickly identify some accessibility problems on a website
- Conformance Evaluation of Web Sites for Accessibility - describes a conformance evaluation method that combines automatic, semi-automatic, and manual testing
Suggestions for speakers
- Activity/Demonstration: Explore web accessibility barriers using some of the techniques from Preliminary Review of Web Sites for Accessibility. For example use some techniques for examining pages using graphical browsers or specialized browsers.
- Discussion: Explore the failures and repairs in the Before and After Demonstration. Discuss how websites can be made accessible with little or no change to their visual design.
- Tip: Suggest participants repeat the activity/demonstration with other websites, including their own, after the session.
13. Involving Users in Web Projects
Goal: Encourage all web projects to involve users from the start.
Audience: Managers, development teams, quality assurance and usability departments
Description
This topic covers benefits involving people with disabilities and older people from the beginning of any web development project. It demonstrates how users can identify usability aspects of accessibility that are not always discovered by conformance evaluation alone.
What this topic covers
- Benefits of involving users with disabilities and older users in development and evaluation of web sites
- How and when to engage users with disabilities and older users
- How testing with users can complement the technical conformance to guidelines
- Involving users is not an add-on at the end but needs to be part of the workflow throughout development process
- Care required when drawing conclusions from observing users
- Where to get more information
Resources for developing a presentation
Primary resources
- Involving Users in Web Projects for Better, Easier Accessibility - a start to reaping the benefits of involving people with disabilities and older people throughout your projects
- Involving Users in Evaluating Web Accessibility - describes the benefits of evaluating with real people and identifying usability issues that are not discovered by conformance evaluation alone
- How People with Disabilities use the Web - provides examples of people with different disabilities using websites, web applications, browsers, and authoring tools
Handouts
Suggestions for speakers
- Discussion: Ask participants to share experiences of involving users in their projects. Discuss the benefits of involving users throughout design processes. Help participants identify opportunities to involve users in their own projects.
14. Web Accessibility and Older People
Goal: Help people understand the importance of web accessibility for older people.
Audience: Managers and decision makers, web developers, ICT and procurement departments, marketing and legal departments, accessibility advocates and others who inform decisions and policies
Description
This topic explores the importance of the adoption of WAI guidelines to meet the needs of people with ageing-related impairments. It provides some statistics highlighting the demographic changes.
What this topic covers
- Facts about the ageing world population and the increasing numbers of older users online
- Relationship between ageing-related impairments and web accessibility
- Importance of conforming to WAI Guidelines to meet the accessibility needs of older people
- Scope and deliverables of the WAI-AGE Project, and resources for industry and users
- Where to get more information
Resources for developing a presentation
Sample presentation
- Web Accessibility for Older Users presentation - can be used as the basis for a presentation on this topic
Primary resources
- Web Accessibility and Older People: Meeting the Needs of Ageing Web Users - introduces the issues facing older people with age-related impairments and associated WAI resources
- Overview of "Web Accessibility for Older Users: A Literature Review" - the Literature Review informs educational activities and enables better promotion of accessibility solutions for older Web users
- WAI-AGE Project - contains an overview of the education and outreach materials updated or developed within the WAI-AGE Project
Handouts
- WCAG 2 at a Glance - a paraphrased summary of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.
Suggestions for speakers
- Demonstration: Show some videos with older people using the Web .
- Activity: Show some simulations of low vision; get participants to experience some impairments, e.g. using the mouse with other hand and browsing some sites with text enlarged.
15. Accessibility and the Mobile Web
Goal: Provide an understanding of the overlapping issues between web accessibility and mobile web use.
Audience: Managers and decision makers, web developers, ICT and procurement departments, accessibility advocates and others who inform decisions and policies
Description
This topic encourages concurrent development of websites for both accessibility and mobile use through understanding the common needs of both groups. It covers the overlapping solutions available to developers, and the efficacy of meeting the needs of both groups simultaneously.
What this topic covers
- Similar experiences of web users with disabilities and users of mobile devices
- W3C standards and guidelines for web accessibility and mobile web
- Overlapping technical requirements for web accessibility and mobile friendly websites
- Benefits of a combined approach for making accessible and mobile friendly websites
- Meeting one set of requirements if the other set of requirements has already been met
Resources for developing a presentation
Primary resources
- Mobile Accessibility - summarizes existing and developing resources related to mobile accessibility
- Web Content Accessibility and Mobile Web: Making a Web Site Accessible Both for People with Disabilities and for Mobile Devices - introduces the similarities along with benefits of addressing both areas
- Shared Web Experiences: Barriers Common to Mobile Device Users and People with Disabilities - provides examples of barriers that people with disabilities and people using mobile devices experience when interacting with Web content
- Relationship between Mobile Web Best Practices (MWBP) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) - technical report describing the similarities and differences between the requirements in WCAG and MWBP
- From MWBP to WCAG 2.0 (and From MWBP to WCAG 1.0) - outlines what also needs to be done to meet WCAG for those familiar with MWBP
- From WCAG 2.0 to MWBP (and From WCAG 1.0 to MWBP) - outlines what also needs to be done to meet MWBP for those familiar with WCAG
- Mobile Web Best Practices 1.0 - technical report specifying Best Practices for delivering web content to mobile devices
- Mobile Web Application Best Practices - technical report to aid the development of rich and dynamic mobile Web applications
Handouts
- Mobile Web Best Practices (MWBP) Flipcards - a summary of the Mobile Web Best Practices 1.0 document
- WCAG 2 at a Glance - a paraphrased summary of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.0
Suggestions for speakers
- Discussion: Explore some of the overlapping issues for mobile web users and people with disabilities. For example, explore issues with websites that do not provide keyboard support, resizable text, sufficient color contrast, and such. Discuss how accessibility benefit mobile web users and many more.
- Tip: Use Independent User Interfaces (IndieUI) to attract advanced web developers to leading edge accessibility work and how it is relevant to many others.
16. Web Accessibility Policy and Legislation
Goal: Provide an appreciation of local web accessibility policy and legislation, the need for international harmonization, and the essential elements of an organizational policy.
Audience: Managers and decision makers, ICT and procurement departments, marketing and legal departments, accessibility advocates and others who inform decisions and policies
Description
This topic examines global policy and legal requirements that companies and organizations face as they meet local nondiscrimination and web accessibility laws. It also explores the move towards international standards harmonization, and covers the development and implementation of organizational accessibility policies.
What this topic covers
- Web accessibility laws and policies specific to the local audience
- UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and local implications
- Importance and benefits of international standards harmonization for organizations and for users
- Developing policies, including procurement practices, relating to web accessibility
Resources for developing a presentation
Primary resources
- Legal and Policy Factors in Developing a Web Accessibility Business Case for Your Organization - provides guidance on addressing legal and policy factors in a business case for Web accessibility
- UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) - ratified by many countries and specifically includes accessibility of
the Internet and other information and communications technology (ICT)
- International Policies Relating to Web Accessibility - links to laws and policies regarding Web accessibility around the world (not definitive)
- Why Standards Harmonization is Essential to Web Accessibility - explains the key role that harmonization of standards plays in increasing the accessibility of the Web
- Developing Organizational Policies on Web Accessibility - addresses considerations that can arise when developing organizational policies on Web accessibility
Suggestions for speakers
- Discussion: Explore the impact of fragmented technical standards on sharing resources, expertise, know how, and tools. Discuss the benefits of internationally harmonized standards for web accessibility.
- Discussion: Explore the international, national, or organizational policies that are applicable to the participants. Discuss relevant policies relating to web accessibility, legal and policy factors in a web accessibility business case, and cautionary tales of inaccessibility.
- Discussion: Explore effective ways to increase the adoption of web accessibility within organizations. Discuss the role of key players, such as management, procurement, and local advocates.
- Tip: Refer to your local disability organizations for further background on statistics, local policies, and examples of good and bad practices.
- Tip: Give accessibility a human face, for example by relating it to older relatives, such as grandparents, who may be encountering accessibility barriers as they go online.
17. Quick Check for Web Accessibility
Goal: Introduce the concept of a quick website accessibility check, including benefits, techniques, and limitations.
Audience: Anyone wanting to learn how to do a quick website accessibility check
Description
This topic explores some easy evaluation techniques that will provide participants with the ability to perform initial reviews and present the results. It includes an explanation of the difference between a quick preliminary website accessibility check and a thorough conformance evaluation review.
What this topic covers
- What is meant by a quick website accessibility check, and its limitations
- Basic techniques for performing a preliminary review
- Difference between a quick check and a full conformance review
- Evaluation tools and their limitations
- Summarizing the results of the quick check
- Where to get more information
Resources for developing a presentation
Primary resources
- Preliminary Review of Web Sites for Accessibility - describes a method to quickly identify some accessibility problems on a website
- Selecting Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools - highlights different features of evaluation tools which can assist during evaluation reviews
- Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools - filterable list of Web accessibility evaluation tools
- Involving Users in Evaluating Web Accessibility - describes the benefits of evaluating with real people and identifying usability issues that are not discovered by conformance evaluation alone
- Better Web Browsing: Tips for Configuring Your Computer - references to resources to help people customize their web browser and computer setup
Suggestions for speakers
- Activity/Demonstration: Explore web accessibility barriers using some of the techniques from Preliminary Review of Web Sites for Accessibility. For example use some techniques for examining pages using graphical browsers or specialized browsers.
- Activity/Demonstration: Use evaluation tools to help identify failures and repairs in the Before and After Demonstration. Discuss the different types of evaluation tools, their benefits, and their limitations.
- Tip: Suggest participants repeat the activities/demonstrations with other websites, including their own, after the session.
18. Conformance Evaluation for Web Accessibility
Goal: Provide an understanding of how to undertake a conformance review for website accessibility.
Audience: Web developers and quality assurers, accessibility experts, researchers
Description
This topic provides an introduction to the approach, tools, and techniques for performing a thorough website accessibility conformance evaluation review. It also discussed the importance of testing with users.
Note: This topic assumes familiarity with WCAG 2. See Topic 5: Introducing WCAG 2.0.
What this topic covers
- Selecting a representative sample of web pages to evaluate, including samples from large or dynamically generated websites
- Selecting and using evaluation tools to support evaluation approaches and processes
- Benefits of involving users to achieve a more complete evaluation
- Reporting findings in a comprehensive and understandable way
- When and where to get more help and more information
Resources for developing a presentation
Primary resources
- Conformance Evaluation of Web Sites for Accessibility - describes a conformance evaluation method that combines automatic, semi-automatic, and manual testing
- Evaluation Approaches for Specific Contexts - describes considerations for evaluation of large and complex websites
- Using Combined Expertise to Evaluate Web Accessibility - describes the diverse kinds of expertise and perspectives required to evaluate the accessibility of web content
- Selecting Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools - highlights different features of evaluation tools which can assist during evaluation reviews
- Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools - filterable list of Web accessibility evaluation tools
- How to Meet WCAG 2.0 - a customizable quick reference to WCAG 2.0 requirements and techniques
- Involving Users in Evaluating Web Accessibility - describes the benefits from evaluating with real people and identifying usability issues that are not discovered by conformance evaluation alone
- Template for Accessibility Evaluation Reports (refers to WCAG 1.0, but applicable to WCAG 2.0);
see also the reports from Before and After Demonstration - [Draft] Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology 1.0 - a methodology for evaluating the conformance of websites to WCAG 2.0
Handouts
Suggestions for speakers
- Activity/Demonstration: Evaluate accessible and inaccessible web pages from the Before and After Demonstration. Compare results among the participants and with the reports provided.
- Activity: Have participants recommend improvements for inaccessible web pages from the Before and After Demonstration. Compare with the accessible web pages from the Demo and discuss different types of solutions to meet accessibility requirements.
- Tip: Suggest participants repeat the activity/demonstration with other websites, including their own, after the session.
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