Digital (Web) Accessibility Talk Session THAT Camp 2017 Stephanie Robbins, M.Ed. Assistive Technology Coordinator Disability Resources and Services University of Colorado Denver

Purpose for this Session Overview of Digital/Web Accessibility  Can get very technical, but we're going to stick with the basics! Insight on how people with disabilities access computers and digital content Collaboration & Discussion I want to hear about your experiences and thoughts! Purpose for this Session Overview of Digital/Web Accessibility   Can get very technical, but we're going to stick with the basics!  Insight on how people with disabilities access computers and digital content  Collaboration & Discussion  I want to hear about your experiences and thoughts!

Talking Points What is digital (web) accessibility? How do people with disabilities access digital and online content? Visual Impairments (Blind/Low Vision) Hearing Impairments (Deaf/Hard of Hearing) Mobility Impairments (Limited or no use of arms/hands) What technologies are available to allow people with disabilities to access digital content? What can I do to incorporate digital accessibility? Talking Points Talking Points What is digital (web) accessibility?    How do people with disabilities access digital and online content?  Visual Impairments (Blind/Low Vision)  Hearing Impairments (Deaf/Hard of Hearing)  Mobility Impairments (Limited or no use of arms/hands)  What technologies are available to allow people with disabilities to access digital content?  How can I ensure that my digital content is accessible?

What Is Digital Accessibility? Ask the Audience! What do you think is digital/web accessibility? What Is Digital Accessibility?

What is Digital Accessibility? Digital/Web Accessibility means that people with disabilities can use the Web. More specifically, it means that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web, and that they can contribute to the Web.  Resource: W3C (World Wide Web Consortium- international community of organizations, full time staff and the public to develop the standards for the web- and they include accessibility! Lead and founded by Tim Berners Lee who invented the internet)  https://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/accessibility.p hp  What is Digital Accessibility?  Digital/Web Accessibility means that people with disabilities can use the Web. More specifically, it means that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web, and that they can contribute to the Web.  Resource: W3C (World Wide Web Consortium- Developed the web accessibility standards): https://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/accessibility.php 

Hear From Students & Faculty with Disabilities You Tube Video: A Personal Look at Accessibility in Higher Education Hear From Students & Faculty with Disabilities You Tube video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQGFshzLPXE

Ask the Audience! How do people with visual impairments access a computer, let alone web content?

Visual Impairments, cont. Assistive Technologies are available that allow users with low vision and blindness to access digital content through magnification and screen reading software. Magnification Software: Zoomtext- http://www.zoomtext.com/ Screen Reading Software: JAWS- http://www.freedomscientific.com/Products/Blindness /JAWS Free trials available for download Built in Magnification/Screen Readers on Windows/Mac (PC- Magnification/Narrator, Mac- Zoom, Voice Over) Visual Impairments, cont. Assistive Technologies are available that allow users with low vision and blindness to access digital content through magnification and screen reading software. Magnification Software: Zoomtext- http://www.zoomtext.com/ Screen Reading Software: JAWS- http://www.freedomscientific.com/Products/Blindness/JAWS Free trials available for download

Ask the audience! How does a person with hearing impairments access digital content such as videos, online lectures, etc? Hearing Impairments

Hearing Impairments cont. Closed Captioning is available for MOST media video players (this is the most accessible format since it provides dialogue of sound effects, music, narrators, and laughter). You Tube, Kaltura, Quicktime, Windows Media Player, etc. Video content creators can post a written transcript of the video (Not the most accessible format, but it is a better option than nothing!) There are several companies that provide closed captioning (Not endorsing one over the other): Caption Sync: http://www.automaticsync.com/captionsync/ 3play Media: http://www.3playmedia.com/ Rev: https://www.rev.com/ Hearing Impairments cont. Closed Captioning is available for MOST media video players (this is the most accessible format since it provides dialogue of sound effects, music, narrators, and laughter). You Tube, Kaltura, Quicktime, Windows Media Player, etc. Video content creators can post a written transcript of the video (Not the most accessible format, but it is a better option than nothing!) There are several companies that provide closed captioning (Not endorsing one over the other): Caption Sync: http://www.automaticsync.com/captionsync/ 3play Media: http://www.3playmedia.com/ Rev: https://www.rev.com/

Sample of an Accessible Video You Tube Video: Stuck on an Escalator What did you notice about the video? Sample of an Accessible Video You Tube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQUAs3syuJE What did you notice about the video?

Ask the Audience. How does someone with a mobile impairment (i. e Ask the Audience! How does someone with a mobile impairment (i.e.,upper extremity) access a computer, let alone digital content, with a mouse and keyboard? Mobility Impairments How does someone with a mobile impairment (upper extremity) access a computer, let alone digital content, with a mouse and keyboard?

Mobility Impairments, cont. Assistive technology software such as speech recognition can allow a person with a mobility impairment to use their voice to navigate their desktop, write documents, browse the web and more! Dragon Naturally Speaking is one of the most popular speech recognition programs and the most accurate: http://www.nuance.com/dragon/index.htm Speech recognition is also built into Windows and Mac (Dictation). Using speech recognition to successfully navigate the web takes training & practice! Mobility Impairments, cont. Assistive technology software such as speech recognition can allow a person with a mobility impairment to use their voice to navigate their desktop, write documents, browse the web and more! Dragon Naturally Speaking is one of the most popular speech recognition programs and the most accurate: http://www.nuance.com/dragon/index.htm Speech recognition is also built into Windows and Mac (Dictation).

Digital Accessibility How do these technologies work with the web and digital content? In order for these assistive technologies to be successful in navigating and accessing digital content, THE WEB CONTENT MUST BE CODED TO THE ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS, IT MUST BE CREATED TO BE ACCESSIBLE. If the web/digital content is not created to be accessed by assistive technologies, then the content will not be fully accessible or not accessible at all. Digital Accessibility

Web Accessibility Standards: WCAG Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG- Created by the W3C): https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/ Let’s break down the standards! 4 Guidelines Perceivable (Code alternative text for images) Operable (Make all functions available from the keyboard) Understandable (Make text content readable and understandable) Robust (Maximize compatibility with assistive technologies) Web Accessibility Standards: WCAG Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG- Created by the W3C): https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/ Let’s break down the standards! 4 Guidelines Perceivable (Code alternative text for images) Operable (Make all functions available from the keyboard) Understandable (Make text content readable and understandable) Robust (Maximize compatibility with assistive technologies)

Web Accessibility Standards: Section 508 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Amended in 1998) Requires access to programs and activities funded by federal agencies and federal employment. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires access to electronic and information technology in the federal sector and the Board was authorized to develop and maintain accessibility standards for such technology. “The Board” Refers to the U.S. Access Board: The U.S. Access Board is a federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards for the built environment, transportation, communication, medical diagnostic equipment, and information technology. https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards Web Accessibility Standards: Section 508 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Amended in 1998) Requires access to programs and activities funded by federal agencies and federal employment. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires access to electronic and information technology in the federal sector and the Board was authorized to develop and maintain accessibility standards for such technology. “The Board” Refers to the U.S. Access Board: The U.S. Access Board is a federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards for the built environment, transportation, communication, medical diagnostic equipment, and information technology. https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards

508 Standards: What do they cover? Software applications and operating systems Web-based intranet and internet information and applications Telecommunications products Video and multimedia products Self contained, closed products Desktop and portable computers To review the Section 508 standards, visit: https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards Select the link for Section 508 Standards under Communications & IT. 508 Standards: What do they cover? 508 Standards: What do they cover? Software applications and operating systems Web-based intranet and internet information and applications Telecommunications products Video and multimedia products Self contained, closed products Desktop and portable computer

What about Documents & Educational Materials? Standards for Documents and Educational Applications will be the same as the web standards. Examples: Include headings, Include alternative text for images, and ensure tables are structured properly. Resources: Microsoft Accessibility: https://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/of fice2013/ National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE): http://ncdae.org/resources/cheatsheets/ National Center on Educational Accessible Materials http://aem.cast.org/ What about Documents & Educational Materials? Standards for Documents and Educational Applications will be the same as the web standards. Examples: Include headings, Include alternative text for images, and ensure tables are structured properly. Resources: Microsoft Accessibility: https://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/office2013/ National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE): http://ncdae.org/resources/cheatsheets/ National Center on Educational Accessible Materials http://aem.cast.org/

What Can I do to Include Digital Accessibility? Research the accessibility resources for the software & applications you know and use! (Start with the resources I’ve provided and incorporate 3-5 accessibility guidelines) Microsoft Office: Word, Power Point Adobe: PDF Learning Management Systems: Canvas, Blackboard, Desire2Learn WordPress, Drupal, Share Point More resources on the THAT Camp Website: http://ahadenver2017.thatcamp.org/digital-accessibility- resources/ Contact your IT Department, Disability Resources Office, HR Office and/or Compliance Office to find out who at your institution or workplace provides IT accessibility support. Questions to ask: Is there a digital or web accessibility policy? Do we have resources on our website? Who can provide a training? Talk with colleagues & co-workers, don’t tackle digital accessibility alone! Discuss: What are some other ways that you can include or foster digital accessibility in your workplace? Research the accessibility resources for what you know and use! (Start with the Resources I’ve provided) Microsoft Office: Word, Power Point Adobe: PDF Learning Management Systems: Canvas, Blackboard, Desire2Learn WordPress, Drupal, Share Point Contact your IT Department, Disability Resources Office, HR Office and/or Compliance Office to find out who at your institution or workplace provides IT accessibility support. Questions to ask: Is there a digital or web accessibility policy? Do we have resources on our website? Who can provide a training? Talk with colleagues & co-workers, don’t tackle digital accessibility alone!

Questions? Stephanie Robbins Assistive Technology Coordinator University of Colorado Denver Stephanie.robbins@ucdenver.edu Office: 303-315-3517 Questions? Stephanie Robbins Assistive Technology Coordinator University of Colorado Denver Stephanie.robbins@ucdenver.edu Office: 303-315-3517