Everyone has a role to play – what's yours?
Inclusive Design 24 celebrates efforts worldwide to ensure people with disabilities have full and equal access to the web. We invite you to join the celebration and connect with the accessibility community, and learn your role in moving accessibility forward. Together we can take great strides toward making a web for everyone.
To celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day, The Paciello Group will be holding 24 completely free one-hour webinars on all things accessibility. The sessions range from beginner-to-advanced and are aimed at everyone from executives to web developers.
Sessions
(0:00 UTC) Molly Holzschlag Behind the Mask: The Experience of Hidden Disability
View video/streamIn this talk, Molly will address challenges of managing what has been termed "hidden disability." Typically, a hidden disability describes an individual who lives with significant accessibility, assistive device and human resource support requirements, but otherwise appears to be "normal." Despite legal protection afforded in most global communities, people with hidden disabilities face a set of unique challenges. Most are based on a simple truth: There is no real measure of human normality. We are diverse by design! Through the human stories Molly will share will be revealed core ways in which individuals who are striving for personal excellence adapt, and not only survive but thrive when afforded the opportunity. What's really behind the masks we've all learned to wear? It's wholly human: The quest to live full, active and productive lives. And, doing so without the constant discrimination and confusion born of human misunderstanding can open up opportunities for technological and social advancement. This talk aims to reveal the realities of what make us "whole"; to authentically and responsibly reveal the truth behind the masks we wear; to facilitate a more egalitarian and safe environment across our world - all this regardless of the way we appear to be!
About the speaker
Molly E. Holzschlag is a colorful and recognized character working the Web since there was a Web to be worked! A multi-award winning leader in Web Platform and Accessibility, she has written or co-written 35 books on Web technologies, software and standards. A writer, educator and public speaker, the focus is always on OPEN. Be it humans, societies or software, Molly is intent on bringing a clear, humanistic viewpoint to our increasingly complex social and technical world.
(1:00 UTC) Amelia Bellamy-Royds Style Is Substance
View video/streamVisual style is often described in contrast to the document semantics defined by HTML tags and ARIA roles. But in a well-designed website or document, style provides the semantic information to visual users. It conveys structure, function, and relationships. Visual designers understand these semantics implicitly, but that knowledge is often not translated into the markup. As a result, those semantics are not available to non-visual or modified-visual users. I will demonstrate how the common motifs of visual web design can be translated into accessible markup, by working through some standard web designs, parsing the visual styles into landmarks and headings.
About the speaker
Amelia Bellamy-Royds is a Renaissance girl, whose education and career have moved sideways from bioinformatics to government science policy to journalism to data visualization to web graphics. In web development circles, she is mostly known for her work with SVG. She is an Invited Expert on the W3C's SVG and ARIA working groups, and has co-authored multiple books on SVG from O’Reilly Media. One day, she hopes to put her web graphics skills to work making journalistic data visualizations to promote science-based decisions in government policy. For now, she's focused on improving graphical communication on the web for everyone.
(2:00 UTC) Bryce Johnson In gaming - some things should be easy, some should be challenging, everything should be inclusive
View video/streamI've spent the past 16 months designing how Microsoft assistive technologies would arrive on the Xbox One console. I'll show you the latest Xbox releases of Magnifier, controller remapping, Narrator, and high contrast themes while going through the considerations involving the console's input and output modalities. Sorry I won't be giving you any spoilers of what is coming up for Xbox, but I will give you my thoughts on how gaming can be inclusive by giving people personalized challenges and game mechanic options that align with their abilities.
About the speaker
Bryce is a designer at Xbox. Back in his homeland, he designed the first digital library for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Now he has the greatest job in the world applying the Microsoft inclusive design practice to gaming. He is locked in a mutually-assured destruction scenario with the secrets he can tell you about Billy Gregory's youth, but for now he's keeping his mouth shut.
(3:00 UTC) Sarah Pulis Lessons learnt from building accessible complex web apps
View video/streamThis session will share lessons we’ve learnt when helping organisations build complex web apps using different web frameworks such as Angular JS and Polymer. These lessons include what to ask before choosing a framework, architectural decisions that can impact accessibility, the importance and interesting findings from usability testing and ARIA support across different assistive technologies.
About the speaker
Sarah is cofounder and Director of Accessibility Services at Intopia. Sarah has extensive capabilities in helping organisations at both a strategic and a technical level. These capabilities include providing expert technical advice, stakeholder engagement and implementation of strategic work plans and product development that enable organisations to meet their accessibility requirements. She is the founder of A11y Bytes and A11y Camp, Australia's largest community events focused on increasing awareness of inclusive design and digital accessibility.
(4:00 UTC) Luis Garcia Accessibility Testing or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Ignore WCAG
View video/streamA common mistake made by those new to accessibility testing is over applying WCAG. Even though some Success Criteria mention explicit exceptions, they're easy to ignore or forget they even exist. Knowing when not to apply the accessibility checks is just as important as knowing when to apply them. This talk will give an overview of the exceptions in WCAG and provide some examples of when they don't apply.
About the speaker
Luis Garcia is a Senior Product Manager for Accessibility at eBay. In his spare time, he participates at Accessibility Camps, evangelizes accessibility to anyone that will listen, and works on various accessibility related side projects. He sometimes plays video games.
(5:00 UTC) Robert Jolly PM-led Accessibility: Shepherding project teams into accessible design and development
View video/streamProject and Product Managers can play a key role in ensuring accessibility is part of the ongoing work of designers, developers, and other stakeholders. I'll present a framework using real-world experiences to shepherd even the most stubborn team members into practicing their craft with accessibility in mind.>
About the speaker
An accessibility-focused Project Manager with nearly 20 years in the web design industry, Robert has managed projects for clients including Zappos, Georgetown University, Nintendo, Time Inc., American Airlines, JetBlue, and many others. When not online, Robert may be found with his family, riding his bike, or at a nearby Waffle House.
(6:00 UTC) Michiel Bijl What is this thing, and what does it do?
View video/streamWith these two questions in mind, we will look at some common design elements and how to mark them up.
About the speaker
Michiel Bijl recently joined The Paciello Group (TPG) as an Accessibility Engineer. He is a member of several groups at the W3C, including the HTML WG, APA WG, and ARIA WG where he acts as co-editor of the Authoring Practices Guide. Michiel has an extensive background as a front-end developer.
(7:00 UTC) Shadi Abou-Zahra Get started with accessibility - And get others started too
View video/streamEveryone has a role in accessibility, regardless if you are technical or not. Also regardless if you are in management or not. This talk will present a variety of different resources to get you started right away with accessibility. And if you already started, these resources could help you get others to get started with accessibility.
About the speaker
Shadi Abou-Zahra is the Activity Lead of the International Program Office at the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). He is the lead editor and maintainer of several educational and awareness-raising W3C/WAI resources on web accessibility. He also coordinates the conformance evaluation and testing efforts at W3C/WAI.
(8:00 UTC) Marco Zehe The Web Accessibility Basics
View video/streamMarco Zehe gives an overview of several basic techniques every web author should use to make their sites more inclusive. This is not very technical and covers basic HTML markup that has been in the standards for years, but whose correct use will have a profoundly positive impact on your content.
About the speaker
Marco is a senior accessibility quality assurance engineer and evangelist at Mozilla Corporation. His responsibilities include testing new accessibility features as well as provide guidance in implementing those features. Prior to his work at Mozilla, Marco worked at a big assistive technology vendor for blind and low vision product. He is a screen reader user and knows many aspects of the accessibility stack from user to assistive tech to browser.
(9:00 UTC) David Swallow Supporting the Development of Accessible Websites
View video/streamDespite many web accessibility initiatives over the last fifteen years, web developers still struggle to create websites that are accessible to people with disabilities. For the last six years, David has worked closely with web developers to understand the difficulties they encounter and to determine how best to support them. This presentation provides an overview of his research and describes the development and evaluation of a new accessibility information resource for supporting web developers in the creation of accessible websites.
About the speaker
David Swallow is a researcher in Human-Computer Interaction at the University of York, UK, where he specialises in the design, development and evaluation of interactive technologies for older people and people with disabilities. Before this he was a web developer, creating usable and accessible websites for clients in the property business. His current research draws on this experience to identify how best to integrate accessible web development practices into the existing workflows of web developers.
(10:00 UTC) Russ Weakley Building Accessible Web Components
View video/streamThis talk will look at a range of common application components and how they can be made accessible - quickly and easily - for all users. We'll look at how to notify users when changing the DOM after page load. We will also look in-depth at accessible form validation, modal windows and adding additional information for screen reader users.
About the speaker
Russ Weakley is a author, speaker and CSS expert, with a detailed knowledge of web design and development. Russ runs the Web Standards Group and has produced a series of widely acclaimed online tutorials on CSS, Responsive Web Design and web development.
(11:00 UTC) Adrian Roselli Fringe a11y (Techniques That Shouldn’t Be)
View video/streamIf you're familiar with accessibility, you may know some of the basics already. We'll review some newer or more obscure techniques that can help prime you to look at the new hotness features with a more critical eye.
About the speaker
Adrian is a member of the W3C HTML Working Group as well as the W3C Accessibility Task Force. He has written articles for trade journals and web sites, and participated as an author and editor on five web-related books. In 1998 he founded and successfully ran a software development company until he decided to leave and go solo at the start of 2016. Adrian has been developing for the Web since 1993.
(12:00 UTC) Julie Lane Close Encounters of an Inclusive Design: A Case Study Introducing IDX into One Company & Process
View video/streamA real life overview of the lessons learned and steps utilized to bring inclusive design techniques into a project and company.
About the speaker
Julie has studied design and human behaviour for over a decade with a growing enthusiasm and research in AUX and IDX. Currently holding the position of UX / UI Designer in Toronto, Canada. Julie also co-runs a community based skateboard shop in the heart of Toronto.
(13:00 UTC) Jeanne Spellman and Kathy Wahlbin How to Use WCAG for Mobile Accessibility
View video/streamLearn some of the best practices for mobile accessibility from the Mobile Accessibility Task Force of the W3C WCAG Working Group.
About the speaker
Jeanne Spellman recently joined TPG from W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. She still works on the W3C Mobile Accessibility Task Force and Low Vision Accessibility Task Force.
Kathy Wahlbin is an accessibility expert in ADA, Section 508 and W3C WCAG 2.0 compliance and CEO and founder of Interactive Accessibility. She is an experienced digital media designer with extensive knowledge of accessibility and usability issues and solutions. She is passionate about creating a world where online communications and technology are simple and universally accessible to all people regardless of ability. Kathy leads the Boston Accessibility group, is chair of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) Individual Professional Development Committee, co-chair of the W3C Mobile Accessibility Taskforce and is an invited expert on the W3C WCAG 2.0 Working Group.
(14:00 UTC) Makoto Ueki WCAG "Next"
View video/streamThere have been an ongoing discussion on "WCAG Next Possible Models". And W3C/WAI has "Low Vision Accessibility Task Force", "Cognitive and Learning Disabilities Accessibility Task Force" and "Mobile Accessibility Task Force". WCAG 2.0 was launched as a W3C recommendation in December 2008. Almost 7 years and a half passed. Makoto will explore the existing success criteria and make some proposals on the "NEXT" version of WCAG.
About the speaker
Makoto Ueki (Infoaxia, Inc.) is an Independent consultant in Tokyo, Japan. He Has consultancy work experiences including evaluation of websites, development of in-house guidelines, QA, training, user testing and localization of evaluation tools. He is the Chairman of Web Accessibility Infrastructure Committee in Japan and participates in the WCAG working group as an Invited Expert.Japan has the national standard(JIS) for web accessibility which was updated to be identical with ISO/IEC 40500:2012(= WCAG 2.0) in March 2016. Makoto was the chair of the JIS update working group.
(15:00 UTC) Kel Smith Pixels, Plows & Prescriptions: The Future of Wellness
View video/streamStudies indicate that people with disabilities tend to be in poorer health than other patients. In addition, households containing family members with disabilities experience increased economic and logistical barriers when trying to obtain healthy, affordable food. Solving these problems means recognizing the social model of exclusion that prevents fundamental services from reaching low-income and low-access populations. It's a challenge that has inspired new forms of ³design thinking² in the hopes of bridging these accessibility gaps. This session will examine real-world case studies taking place in today's interconnected marketplace from mobile shopping apps to frugal digital innovation that support long-term sustainable benefit for people of all abilities and backgrounds.
About the speaker
Kel Smith is a longtime author, speaker and practitioner in all things related to technology and behavior. His articles have appeared in numerous publications, and his presentation credits span over 100 cities in seven countries. In 2013 he launched Aisle Won, a nutrition support and mobile food distribution product that currently serves 14,000 families in 30 pickup locations. His work has been profiled by CBC Radio’s “The Current,” Yahoo News, Globe & Mail Canada, WBAL Radio and the BBC. Kel is the author of the book Digital Outcasts: Moving Technology Forward Without Leaving People Behind, published by Morgan Kaufmann in 2013. He lives and works in Philadelphia and New York City.
(16:00 UTC) Lainey Feingold What’s Law Got to Do with It? Role of Law in Developing an Accessible, Usable Digital World
View video/streamThe law gets a bad rap. “Too many lawsuits!” “Lawyers are mean!” “Lawyers lack creativity that true accessibility mandates!” This talk will (try to) change your mind. You’ll learn about what the law has done to increase digital accessibility at the bank, the polling place and the university. At the diner and at the drug store. Oh – and at the ballpark. We’ll learn how to speak the language of the law in a positive way. And how to begin thinking about civil rights law as an accessibility tool. Yes, like any tool, it can be misused. [We’ll talk a little about that too.] It has its limitations and can’t do everything. But in the right hands (including yours) the law can – and does -- play a role in building an inclusive web.
About the speaker
Lainey Feingold is a disability rights lawyer who has worked with the blind community on digital accessibility since 1995. Practicing the alternative dispute resolution process known as Structured Negotiation, and without filing any lawsuits, she has negotiated accessible web, mobile, and technology agreements with Bank of America, Major League Baseball, Anthem, CVS and twenty other organizations. Lainey believes the law can be a positive force in the quest for inclusion in the digital age. Her book about Structured Negotiation will be published by the American Bar Association in the Fall of 2016.
(17:00 UTC) Sony Interactive Entertainment Uncharted 4: A New Adventure in Video Game Accessibility
View video/streamTune in for an insightful conversation with Naughty Dog game designers Emilia Schatz and Alex Neonakis about inclusion, innovation and implementation of accessibility features in “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End,” the newest game from Sony PlayStation’s exclusive Uncharted video game franchise. Moderated by Kevin Chung (Director of Compliance, Sony Interactive Entertainment).
(18:00 UTC) Jon Gibbins Accessible UX: Going beyond WCAG
View video/streamDiscover AUX design with Jon Gibbins, aka dotjay, who will summarise how the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines relates to UX design, then go beyond the guidelines to where the standards are not enough. How do your content decisions affect people who are deaf, dyslexic, blind…? Come along and find out!
About the speaker
Jon is Technical Director and Accessibility Consultant at Dig Inclusion, where he helps organisations to understand accessibility and deliver accessible products and services through training, accessibility testing and technical solution finding. A passionate advocate for accessible design since 2003, Jon is widely recognised for his work in the accessibility community.
(19:00 UTC) Viking & Lumberjack V&L ID24 Hangout
View video/streamJoin Karl Groves and Billy Gregory as they celebrate ID24 as only V&L could. Accessibility news from around the world, cool "stuff", and they'll be joined by special guests Judy Brewer and Mike Paciello!
About the speaker
Karl "The Viking" Groves and Billy "The Lumberjack" Gregory use humour to take accessibility to the next level.
(20:00 UTC) Ian Hamilton Changing Tides: 2015's Games Industry Accessibility Advancements
View video/stream2015 was a landmark year for accessibility in gaming, with progress on many fronts. This session explores some the year's key innovations, including the unprecedented advances brought about by the CVAA.
About the speaker
Following background in accessibility across both gaming and web products at the BBC, Ian now works in the wider games industry as an advocate and consultant, working with developers, publishers, platforms, academia and industry bodies to raise the profile and understanding of accessibility issues in the games industry. Examples include co-authoring a White House policy briefing, organizing global accessibility hack events, leading work on industry best practice guidelines, and advising on government funding processes.
(21:00 UTC) Ashley Bischoff Embracing Plain Language for Better Accessibility
View video/streamWriting reports and documentation is nothing new for many of us. But at the end of the day, no matter how technically correct a document may be, our words won’t do much good if those who are reading them can’t understand what we’re trying to say. I’ll be talking about straightforward techniques that we can use to make our writing more understandable when we’re writing for those who might not work with accessibility.
About the speaker
Ashley Bischoff is an Accessibility Consultant and Copy Editor with The Paciello Group. With her expertise across assistive technologies, she has helped scores of online businesses as well as federal and state agencies upgrade their accessibility. And with her copy editor’s pen in hand, Ashley keeps her eyes peeled for buried verbs and dangling modifiers while she wrangles stray homophones. Ashley lives in Dallas, and she likes listening to metal and drinking tea.
(22:00 UTC) Marc Cajolet Accessibility Gives Usability a Boost
View video/streamIn this case study, we'll review the path to success we've forged at Kronos. Where accessibility is the new norm because there are multiple benefits. Most importantly, building for accessibility means building for all users. Everyone benefits, because fundamentally we are building an experience that is measurably better in terms of ease of use.
About the speaker
Marc is a user experience professional with 20+ years experience designing and building interactive applications for mobile, web and desktop users. He draws for a diverse background as a product manager and technical evangelist at startups, mid-size and large companies. Marc is the champion of accessibility within his company, acting as evangelist, partner developer, product manager, project manager and lead UX designer for all things A11y. Marc has taught a variety of graduate courses at University of Massachusetts Lowell, Bentley University and Harvard Extension School. He holds a B.S. in Computer Graphics from UMass Amherst and a MBA from Bentley.
(23:00 UTC) Jon Metz Making sure your PDF/UA PDF is actually PDFUA
View video/streamPDF/UA takes the guesswork out of making sure your PDFs are accessible by focusing on standards instead of obscure checklists. Unfortunately, making sure your PDFs meet the standard involves more than simply slapping a label on it to say that it’s PDF/UA. In this session, I'll show you some free tools to help you check that your PDFs are good to go and as accessible as possible.
About the speaker
Jon Metz is an information architect at The Paciello Group. He specializes in helping organizations integrate accessibility into their processes. Jon is also an expert in PDF accessibility, and he participates in PDF standards with the International Standards Organization and Association for Information and Image Management’s North American Committee for PDF/UA. Previously, he was an invited expert on the W3C’s Education & Outreach Working Group.