Universal design for the web

Thursday 14 September 2017 from 9.00am - 12.30pm (half day)

In this workshop, you’ll learn the core principles of universal design and how to apply them to digital interfaces with the goal of providing the best possible experience for all users, regardless of their abilities. We’ll explore a variety of structural and interactive patterns for clear, flexible, inclusive user interfaces, and look at some examples of these patterns in use.

You’ll then jump into a hands-on activity, working in groups to mockup designs for a web app with some challenging pre-existing constraints. Iterating on these mockups through a series of brainstorm and critique cycles with peers, you'll practice the universal design techniques you’ve learned and hone in on a design (or a few) that prioritizes usability for all. You’ll also hopefully come away from this workshop with a good sense of where universal design fits into the product design/development cycle (spoiler: at every stage!).

This workshop is best suited for anyone who’s part of a product lifecycle, whether that be at the research, ideation, design, or development stage.

This workshop will be delivered by Cordelia McGee-Tubb. Cordelia is a developer, designer, and cartoonist focused on making the web better for everyone. She’s a lead accessibility engineer at Salesforce and previously led web accessibility at Dropbox. An advocate for digital literacy, Cordelia teaches basic computer and internet skills to senior citizens. In her spare time, she draws autobiographical comics and collects hats shaped like food.

NVDA and the web in 2017

Thursday 14 September 2017 from 9.00am - 12.30pm (half day)

In this workshop you will learn all about NVDA, how people use screen readers and how you can test your content using this free and open source screen reader. Plus you'll be learning all this from one of the creators of NVDA, Michael Curran.

This workshop starts at the basics of what a screen reader is and how it works, how to set up NVDA and using it to understand how your content works with this technology. There will be lots of opporutnities for you to practice your skills in hands-on activities and time to ask questions.

Here's what will be covered in this workshop:

• Introduction to NV Access and NVDA

• How a screen reader works

• Installation of NVDA and getting it up and running

• General usage of NVDA - navigating the operating system, focus, system caret, browse mode, and other common NVDA commands

• Tools and addons that will help you test your content

• From the web author to the screen reader - what happens in between?

• Examples of accessible and inaccessible content and how the experience differs with a particular focus on HTML5 and ARIA

• Q & A on specific problems people are having with using screen readers in testing. This is a chance for you to follow up with specifics.

This workshop is suitable for anyone who wants to learn more about how people use screen readers and testing with screen readers. A basic understanding of accessibility is desirable. Previous knowledge about screen readers is not required.

Your workshop facilitator is Michael Curran, a totally blind person who focuses on software development in the area of accessibility. Michael is very passionate about helping the blindness community in several ways. Michael has been able to merge both of these passions by creating the first and only free and open source Screen Reader for The Windows Operating System which allows blind and vision impaired people to use Windows for no more cost than their sighted peers. Michael continues to play a leading role in the NVDA screen Reader, both as a core developer, and as an Executive Director of NV Access Limited, the Australian charity he and others set up to promote and develop this now very well known Screen Reader. Through Michael's work with NVDA and NV Access, he has gained extensive experience in the field of accessibility, including vast knowledge of key accessibility standards, software APIs and best practices. He has fostered relationships with companies such as Mozilla, Microsoft, IBM and Adobe, and has contributed to the accessibility of their respective products.

Managing accessibility in digital projects

Thursday 14 September 2017 from 1.00pm - 4.30pm (half day)

This half-day workshop is designed for project managers, business analysts, product owners and others that want to embed accessibility into their digital projects in the most efficient and effective way.

This workshop will take participants through:

• Understanding why digital inclusion makes good business sense
• Making smart and justifiable decisions about approach and technology choices
• Understanding roles and responsibilities to embed accessibility strategically in your project
• Managing procurement of product and services from external suppliers
• Creating a test plan that includes prioritisation and risk management
• Communicating and maintaining accessibility post-launch
  

This workshop leverages local and international standards that enable organisations to make the most practical and information decision on embedding accessibility into its products. Standards and policies referenced in the workshop include the Disability Discrimination Act, the Digital Transformation Agency’s Digital Service Standard, as well as the British Standard 8878, which is being utilised worldwide as a leading code of practice.

No prior experience with digital accessibility is required.

This workshop will be delivered by Intopia's Accessibility Services Director, Sarah Pulis.

ARIA and accessibility

Thursday 14 September 2017 from 1.00pm - 4.30pm (half day)

This workshop will give attendees an introduction to ARIA and accessibility, with a technical development focus. The workshop will be delivered by Russ Weakley. A detailed description and ticket registrations will be open shortly.

The A11y Camp workshops are held one day after the A11y Camp conference which will be on 13 September.