Accessibility for Web Managers and Designers: Latest best practice on legal web site design

After attending this haldf-day workshop, you will know how to design accessible web pages and find out how to evaluate web pages for accessibility.

Provider: E-Consultancy Training

Price:
£295 + VAT per delegate standard rate
£245 + VAT discounted rate for E-consultancy subscribers and Corporate Members

Bookings:
For bookings & more details contact Ashley Friedlein at e-Consultancy
Tel: 020 7071 8612

Course Description:
Web accessibility is now a legal requirement in countries that have disability and discrimination laws, such as the UK. If your web site is not accessible, you risk being sued under the Disability Discrimination Act.

There is no shortage of information on web accessibility. The difficulty for web developers, marketers and managers is in identifying precisely what they need to change in their web site and how to go about it. This workshop provides a practical path through the legislation, describing what you need to do to meet the minimum requirements, how to retrofit inaccessible pages and how to make sure new content is accessible. You will also learn about the business benefits of an accessibility focus, see how disabled people use the web and find out how to test your site for accessibility.

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
This course is for you if you are actively involved in web site design either as a designer, developer or manager of an in-house or agency web design team. The course will also be valuable for marketing managers who want to find out about the business and brand benefits of an accessibility focus, and project managers who want to ensure their web projects comply with standards and legislation.

HOW WILL I BENEFIT?
After attending this course, you will be able to:
- Articulate the business benefits of an accessible website
- Describe the assistive devices used by disabled people to overcome accessibility barriers
- Evaluate web site accessibility and define how accessibility standards will be met
- Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of on-line accessibility tools like Bobby
- Use standards and guidelines to design sophisticated, accessible sites that will work in future
browsers as well as current ones

WHAT WILL I LEARN?
This in-depth course will cover the following topics:
– Intoduction: Why is Web Accessibility an Issue?
- The legal framework: standards and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
- The relationship between accessibility and usability
- Benefits of accessible websites

The myth and reality of accessible design
- Myth #1: “There are too many types of disability to design for them all.”
- Myth #2: “Accessible pages have to be dull, text-only, pages.”
- Myth #3: “Disabled people represent such a small part of our market that it’s not worth the cost.”

The legislative framework
- The WCAG 1.0 Guidelines
- The three levels of accessibility
- What level of accessibility will the court look for?

Assistive technologies: how disabled people use the web
- How screen readers read a web page
- Screen reader demonstration (video)
- How to simulate screen readers with browser tools
- The four kinds of “alt” text

Testing for accessibility
- What you need to do to meet the minimum standard
- How to use free online tools and software to test your site for accessibility
- Demonstration of various accessibility tools

Beyond basic compliance
- Moving to CSS and standards-based design
- Implementing an accessibility policy in your organisation

WHAT IS THE WORKSHOP FORMAT?
A fast-moving, interactive, but structured training session covering the topics outlined in the programme. Activities and case studies will enable you to apply the concepts to check your understanding. You will be encouraged to ask questions and to contribute to the seminar.

WHO IS THE WORKSHOP LEADER?
David Travis is the Managing Director of Userfocus, an independent consultancy specialising in usability training and consultancy. David has worked in the areas of psychology, disability and user interface standards for around 20 years.
He represents the BSI on two ISO working groups, including ISO TC159 SC4 WG5, where he is currently contributing to a standard on software accessibility. David led a major project (and wrote the final report) on the accessibility of BBCi. He has also carried out accessibility audits of numerous websites against the W3C’s WAI guidelines and the RNIB’s ”See it Right” requirements.

WHAT DELEGATES SAY ABOUT THIS SEMINAR
- “Incredibly useful and positive.”
- “Highly practical and inspiring seminar to help solve a real life issue.”
- “The video clips provided real insights and experiences from people with disabilities.”
- “Lots of interactivity, practical examples and good video demonstrations demonstrating assistive technologies.”
- “The practical activities provided good, first-hand experience in how others may get frustrated with poor web page content.”
- “Helped identify key areas for change within my organisation.”
- “Sound overview of the issues, with pointers on how to resolve the problems with our site.”
- “I found the course to be not only informative but challenging in a way I hadn’t expected. 10 out of 10.”