Accessibility and Information Systems

by Glen Farrelly

University of Toronto

 

 

Outline

• Accessibility introduction

• Disability and Barriers

• Importance of accessibility

• Inclusive & responsive design

• Regulations

• Encountering accessibility

• Implementation

• Resources

 

 

Accessibility Introduction

• Accessibility is availability of resources & services

to people regardless of their abilities

• Digital Divide and Disability Divide

• Areas of disability:• Vision

• Hearing

• Mobility & Motor Control

• Cognitive & Mental Health

Domains of Accessibility

1. Employment

2. Information and Communications

3. Transportation

4. Design of public spaces

Disability

• Social model of disability

(compared to medical and charity models)

• Disabled people vs. people with disabilities

• Situational disabilities

• Temporary disabilities

• Disabilities can be invisible

 

 

Barriers

Types of barriers:

1. Information or Communication

2. Technology

3. Attitudinal barriers

4. Organizational barriers

5. Physical

Info System Barriers

• Vital information in images only

• Menus or graphs using only colour for differences

• Fan-out menus that require precise control

• Tiny font size or locking in font size

• Not allowing cursor to be controlled by keyboard

Importance of Accessibility

• Social Considerations

• Legal Requirements

• Business Reasons

• Ancillary Benefits

Inclusive & Responsive Design

• Inclusive Design = "design that considers the full range

of human diversity with respect to ability, language,

culture, gender, age and other forms of human

difference" (OCADU)

• Responsive Design = "aimed at crafting sites to provide

an optimal viewing experience… a wide range of

devices from desktop computer monitors to mobile

phones“ (Wikipedia)

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

• Goal is for an accessible Ontario by 2025

• Applies to people who live, work, or do business

in Ontario

• Companies with 20+ employees must submit

accessibility report

• Exemplar for other jurisdictions

Methods for Accessibility

Main ways to offer accessible content:

– Assistive Technology

– Automated Conversion

– Human Development

Accessibility in Information Systems

External-facing:

• Websites and e-Business portals

• Self-serve kiosks

• Mobile apps

• Communications (print, video, podcasts, in-person)

Internal:

• Intranets

• Business software (purchased or custom built)

• Finding aids

Implementing Accessibility

Know Your Audience

• Informal data

• Research audience (via survey, focus groups, interviews, etc.)

Accessibility Experts

• Many consultants specializing in this, but check their credentials

Guidelines

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

– Four Principles: perceivable, operable,

understandable, robust

• IBM Guidelines for Accessible Hardware & Software

• Disability specific guidelines

Ensuring Accessibility

Testing Methods:

• Automated software

• Expert testing and walkthroughs

• User testing – the gold standard!

 

Resources

• W3C (guidelines)

• WebAim (education support & tools)

• O’Reilly Media (education material)

• Inclusive Design Research Centre

@ OCADU (education program)

• Accessibility Camp Toronto (events)

 

 

More Information….

For links to websites & concepts discussed,

visit my Delicious bookmarks:

http://delicious.com/glenfarrelly/accessibility