1. New IAAP Professional Certifications for Accessibility
March 1, 2017
CSUN Conference, San Diego, CA

2. Access to Handout
You can access this presentation at: or go to and Search for CSUN 2017

3. Speakers
Paul Bohman, PhD Director of Training, Deque Systems, Inc. & IAAP Certification Committee Chair Judy Brewer Director of the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) at the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Samantha Evans IAAP Certification Manager AMAC Accessibility Solutions & Research Center Axel LeBlois President and Executive Director, G3ict Sharon Spencer Managing Director, International Association of Accessibility Professionals, a division of G3ict

4. Agenda The merger of IAAP & G3ict (Axel Leblois)
Importance of certification to international community
Overview of the Certification Program (Paul Bohman)
Importance of the certification and how it fits with the work of the W3C (Judy Brewer)
Review of the schedule of activities, plans for future exams, and the CEU process (Samantha Evans)
Q&A  

5. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Impact on Accessibility Requirements in 171 Countries:
Countries which have ratified the Convention
Countries which have signed but not ratified the Convention
Countries which have not signed or ratified the Convention

6. G3ict and IAAP: Promoting the Accessibility Profession and Accessibility Training and Certification Globally
CRPD adoption triggers legislations and regulations around the world which drive demand for accessibility skills:
Web and mobile apps accessibility for Developers
Accessible Digital Content for Office workers
ICT Accessibility in Public procurement
Example: EU Directive dated December 2, 2016 on web sites, electronic documents and mobile applications with deadlines
IAAP membership outside the United States already enjoys good momentum
G3ict contacts and knowledge of key players in multiple countries facilitates further expansion of IAAP Programs

7. G3ict and IAAP: Global, Comprehensive Outreach
ICT Accessibility Policy Center
M-Enabling Summit & Innovation Outreach
Institutional and Advocacy Support
ICT Accessibility Training & Certification
G3ict and IAAP: Global, Comprehensive Outreach
- Model Policies
Web
TV - Multimedia
Public Access
Mobile
Education
Policy Toolkit
Advisory support to governments
Worldview Service
Global Programs: Smart Cities Procurement
M-Enabling Summit U.S., Australia, Italy, Russia
Good practices sharing: Financial Services Employment Higher Education
Reports and White Papers
Innovative solutions news highlights
CRPD ICT Accessibility Progress Report
Joint Activities for governments with UN Agencies:
ITU
UNESCO
UNDESA
ILO
OHCHR
WIPO
Capacity building with DPOs, IDA, DPI
International Association of Accessibility Professionals
IAAP Training and Certification Programs
IAAP Connections
630 Affiliated Testing Centers
1,200 members
International Chapters

8. The Value of Certification
The value of becoming a certified professional
The value to an organization to have certified professionals

9. IAAP Exams Available Now: Available Soon: In the planning phase:
Accessibility Core Competencies (available since March 2016)
Available Soon:
Web Accessibility Specialist (will be available June 2017)
In the planning phase:
Public Procurement Accessibility Specialist (TBD)
Digital Content Accessibility Specialist (TBD)
Future possibilities:
Mobile software accessibility?
Desktop software accessibility?
Other?

10. Certification Credentials
Core Competency Certification
Requirement: Pass the Core Competency exam
Credential: “Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies” (CPACC)
Specialist Certification
Requirement: Pass the CPACC exam PLUS a specialist exam
Example Credentials:
“Certified Professional in Web Accessibility” (CPWA)
“Certified Professional in Public Procurement Accessibility” (CPPPA)

11. Prepare for the CPACC Exam
CPACC Exam Topics
Disabilities, challenges, and assistive technologies (40%)
Accessibility and universal design (40%)
Declarations, standards, laws, and management strategies (20%)
Prepare for the CPACC Exam

12. CPACC Exam Preparation
CPACC Outline
Body of Knowledge
Certification preparation courses (3rd Party)

13. CPACC Exam Refresh The CPACC exam has been available for 1 year
The new CPACC exam will roll out at M-Enabling, June 2017
The goals of the refresh:
New questions to keep up with current technology and trends
Improved questions based on feedback
Improved appropriateness for international audiences

14. Web Accessibility Specialist Exam Topics
Still under development, so subject to change.
WCAG 2.0 (focusing primarily on level A and level AA)
ARIA 1.1 Authoring Practices
Using screen readers and other assistive technologies as accessibility evaluation tools
ATAG 2.0 (primarily part B: Support the production of accessible content)
Additional information about:
Mobile/touch devices
Low vision
Cognitive disabilities

15. Growth of Web Accessibility Field
WCAG 2.0 has been taken up in many countries
Initially in some countries, a tight community of experts
Expanded regulatory uptake = the need for an expanded pool of experts
Need greatest in countries without a previous community of experts
Accelerating demand for Web developers and evaluators = the need of an objectively verified level of expertise
US ADA: As the “built environment” field expanded, some people had expertise; some people claimed expertise
How do you tell?

16. WCAG 2.0 More Precisely Testable
W3C has been moving towards more precisely testable specifications and guidelines
For accessibility work, this started during development of WCAG 2.0, published in 2008; later ARIA 1.0
Creates opportunity for clearer tool-based testing
Role of human expert also still important
Large knowledge base for designing, developing, and evaluating Web content accessibility
Also creates opportunity to test expertise to an objective set of criteria

17. Challenges of Certification
Challenges include:
Book knowledge vs. practical knowledge of accessibility
Comprehensive measuring of expertise
Authoritativeness of certification tests
However:
Responsiveness to community questions and input
Multiple quality measures in exam development processes
G3ICT’s extensive networks around the world
Currently:
Exploration of partnership between G3ICT/IAAP and W3C/WAI
Could also lead to collaboration on WCAG 2.1 and future certifications

18. CPACC Refresh & WAS Launch 2017
CPACC Exam
CPACC Body of Knowledge (BOK) Updated in April 2017
The CPACC BOK will be updated with new items and content
The 2017 CPACC Refresh will be launched in June 2017 at the M-Enabling Summit
Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS) Exam
The WAS Domains are planned to be published in March 2017
The WAS Body of Knowledge is planned to be published in April 2017
The WAS Exam is scheduled to be launched in June 2017 at the M-Enabling Summit

19. Plans for future IAAP certificate programs
Public Procurement Specialist
Covering the essential requirements for those working in procurement processes as they relate to accessibility
This program committee hopes to work with GSA representatives
This program will include 508 Refresh content
This program is anticipated to will begin research and development in late 2017
The initial launch of this certificate is anticipated in summer 2018
Digital Content Specialist
Covering the unique skills and knowledge needed by those who create digital content
This program is tentatively slated for a start date of early 2018
The initial launch of this certificate is anticipated to happen in summer or fall 2018

20. CPACC CEU Process – 45 CEU’s every 3 years
Developing your CPACC Knowledge
Professional Development – accessibility related
1 hour of structured activity = 1 CEU
Up to 15 hours each year
Includes IAAP approved conferences (such as CSUN, M-Enabling Summit & others to be determined)
Sharing your CPACC Knowledge
Teaching and presenting new accessibility material at a conference, seminar, college, university, a professional association or other organization. Delivering accessibility related webinars and trainings outside of your primary job role/ function.
1 hour of structured delivery = 1 CEU
Up to 5 hours each year

21. Q & A
You can access this presentation at: or go to and Search for CSUN 2017 The Session Evaluation Form can be accessed from the conference website during the conference by going to Sessions.CSUNconference.org and selecting the session title.