Wrt 205: critical research Dr. Rusty Bartels Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 Week 11, Day 2

Overview Freewrite Web Design Accessibility Application & Conversation Wrap-up

Freewrite What do you know about accessibility and technology? Can you think of any time you have benefitted from an accessibility feature?

Web Design Accessibility Wikipedia defines Universal Design as: “the design of buildings, products or environments to make them accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability or other factors”. This can also apply to things like curriculum design under the framing of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Web Design Accessibility First documented as the response to the advocacy of people in wheelchairs, these sidewalk indentations turned out to benefit many:  those pulling suitcases on wheels, pushing babies and young children in strollers, bikers, workers with large racks making deliveries, and many others.  The Curb-Cut Effect is a vibrant illustration of how laws and programs designed to benefit vulnerable groups, such as the disabled or people of color, often end up benefiting all. National Equity Atlas

Web Design Accessibility Easy checks: a first review of accessibility (https://www.w3.org/WAI/test-evaluate/preliminary/)  About coding – HTML knowledge About language and writing – how to write effective titles, descriptions Writing for Web Accessibility (https://www.w3.org/WAI/tips/writing/) It’s not just choices about language, but about formatting as well

Freewrite 1 What non-essay genre do you think you will be composing in? What do you image your composition process to look like? Share with a partner

Freewrite 2 What might be a barrier to universal accessibility for that genre? (e.g. A podcast is audio only and so inaccessible to those who can’t hear or process spoken language) How do you imagine your composition process to change in order to create a universally accessible text? Share with a partner

Class Discussion How did you think about accessibility and genre needs? How did you think about your composition process?

Wrap-up Today we: Focused on web accessibility & universal design Considerations in rhetorical choices and design for your non- essay genres Next time: Reading: none Focus: Studio Office Hours: Today 1-2; Friday cancelled - email for appointment