A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk A Holistic Approach To Web Usability, Accessibility And Interoperability: A Holistic Approach Brian Kelly UKOLN University of Bath Bath UKOLN is supported by: Talk 4 The talk in which we describe the holistic approach to usability accessibility and interoperability which has been developed by UKOLN and TechDis.

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 2 W3C WAI and WCAG W3C (World Wide Web Consortium): Body responsible for coordinating development of Web standards WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative): W3C group responsible for developing guidelines which will ensure Web resources are widely accessible WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines): One of three sets of WAI guidelines. WCAG provides advice of accessibility on Web content (e.g. HTML pages) Other two WAI guidelines cover accessible user agents (UAAG) and accessible authoring tools (ATAG) WAI Approach

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 3 Interpretation of WAI WCAG How do you interpret WAI WCAG (must use ALT tags for images; HTML must be valid; must use style sheets for presentation; …): Mandatory, with following characteristics: Clearly defined rules Objective Checking mostly objective Penalties for non-compliance Similar to checking that HTML complies with the standard Advisory, with following characteristics: Useful guidelines, to be interpreted in context It's about providing useful, usable resources It's contextual Checking mostly subjective It's similar to checking that a Web site is well-designed Which reflects your views most closely? BK WAI Approach

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 4 The WAI Model The WAI model for Web accessibility is based on three components: Content Authoring Tools Browsers Get all three right and you'll have universal accessibility But: We have no control over browsers & authoring tools The browsers and authoring tools aren't great The content guidelines are flawed Is universal accessibility really possible? WAI Approach

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 5 TechDis – UKOLN Approach Remember UK legislation expects organisations to take "reasonable measures" Users Needs BK Holistic framework for e-learning accessibility published in CJLT: Focuses on the user and recognises importance of: External pressures e.g. funders, QAA, … Technical infrastructure Resource implications Learning & teaching outcomes and requires quality assurance based on documented policies and systematic checking Holistic Approach

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 6 Holistic Approach The holistic approach we have developed: Focuses on the needs of the user Acknowledges the value of guidelines:  WAI WCAG Guidelines  Jakob Neilson's guidelines  … But recognises that:  These are guidelines and not universal standards  Such guidelines can limit what you do Also recognises that:  Usability, accessibility & interoperability are important  The will be constraints on what you can do  What you should do will be influenced by the area you're involved in, the resources you have, the wider cultural context, … Holistic Approach

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 7 Challenges For You The holistic approach has been developed based on experiences in supporting the UK Higher and Further Education and cultural heritage sectors There are still issues to be addressed: How to apply the approach in a range of different contexts What is a reasonable approach? How to I embed this approach within my organisation? …

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 8 Applying The Holistic Approach Scenario 1 An e-learning environment for use in chemistry provides an interactive 3D model of a molecule Using the WAI approach, how would you make this universally accessible? How would you approach this problem using the holistic approach? Scenario 2 A library provides access to a simple Flash game for use by children (while parents browse books) Using the WAI approach, how would you make this universally accessible? How would you approach this problem using the holistic approach? E Holistic Approach

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 9 Questions Any questions or comments? Implementation Challenges But I prefer just having to check with Bobby So what exactly should I do in my case But the accessibility officer isn't involved in design issues; interoperability issues; … … Implementation Challenges But I prefer just having to check with Bobby So what exactly should I do in my case But the accessibility officer isn't involved in design issues; interoperability issues; … …