Standards, Laws, and Management Strategies (20%) Flashcards
International and domestic civil rights laws for disability rights. Applying accessibility standards and regulations to ICT and across organizations.
What 3 types of laws can impact accessibility?
- Civil rights laws
- Procurement laws
- Industry-specific laws
What is a civil rights law?
A civil right is an individual’s right to freedom and equal treatment, not to be subjected to discrimination based on certain characteristics.
Civil rights laws protect rights like privacy and freedom of speech and protect people from discrimination in settings like employment, housing, public spaces, and education.
Disability-related civil rights laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability and protect the rights of people with disabilities.
What are 4 examples of civil rights laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities?
- Americans w/ Disabilities Act (US)
- The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (Canada)
- The Equality Act of 2010 (UK)
- The Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Japan)
What are procurement laws?
Laws that specifically detail standards and requirements for purchasing goods and services from external sources.
What 2 examples of procurement laws focus on accessibility?
- Section 508 (Rehab Act)
- EN 301 549 (EU)
What is the focus of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act?
All products and services procured by the federal government must meet accessibility standards.
WCAG level A and AA required by reference
What organizations are accountable to Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act?
All organizations that do business with the federal governement
What are 4 laws and standards that directly apply to web accessibility?
- US Americans with Disabilities Act
- US Section 508 (Rehab Act)
- EN 301 549
- European Accessibility Act
Runner up: The Equality Act of 2010 (UK)
How does US Section 508 impact accessibility?
All federal, state, and local government websites must meet Section 508 regulations, based on the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. (Level A and AA)
WCAG incorporated via reference and required
Who enforces Section 508?
Consumers (PWD) filing formal complaints
What are industry-specific laws?
Laws written specifically for particular industries that are important to accessibility. (Ex: telecommunications, airplane travel)
What declaration was the first to establish fundamental human rights and the regarded as the foundation of international human rights laws?
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948)
Paris, France
What is a weakness of declarations like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948) and the UN’s Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons (1975)?
As declarations, they could only provide a framework and recommendations.
What group of people weren’t protected against discrimination in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
People with Disabilties
What is the main purpose of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)?
- To change attitudes & approaches to persons with disabilities, shifting from viewing people with disabilities as “objects” of charity, medical treatment, and social protection towards viewing people with disabilities as “subjects” with rights, who can make decisions for themselves based on free and informed consent, and be active members in society.
- The 1st binding international human rights treaty where beyond recognition of rights in the convention, state parties must take steps to implement those rights.
- Key instrument for people with disabilities to fight discrimination and exclusion and to promote, implement, monitor, and defend inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities.
- With its Optional Protocol, it’s a powerful tool for monitoring and claiming for equal rights.
What are the protections of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities?
- Respecting principles for communication about and with people with disabilities
- Accessing health care, habilitation, and rehabilitation
- Defining and providing reasonable accommodation and accessibility
- Using assistive technologies (AT)
- Accessing information including information technology (IT)
- Supporting independent living and self-determined decisions
- Fostering personal mobility (buildings, transports, public spaces)
- Participating in social, economic, employment, educational, political, recreational, sport, cultural, and legal activities
- Allowing and facilitating monitoring and reporting the progress and claiming disrespect by national and international human rights institutions
Which article of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is to raise awareness? What does it state?
Article 8(1)
* States Parties adopt immediate, effective, and appropriate measures…
* (b) To combat stereotypes, prejudices, and harmful practices relating to PWD, including those based on sex and age, in all areas of life.
Which article of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) deals with accessibility?
What does it state?
Article 9
* To enable PWD to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life, States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure PWD access (equally to others) to built environment, transportation, info & comm (including ICT), and other facilities and services open to the public (both urban & rural areas).
* Also, identify and eliminate barriers to access; applies to: a) built environment (buildings, roads, schools, housing, medical, workplaces) and b) Information, communication, and services, including electronic and emergency services.
What treaty aims to ensure people with vision and other print disabilities have access access to books and other printed materials?
The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled
(2013)
What are 3 international declarations and conventions on disability rights?
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
- The Marrakesh Treaty
What 3 types of laws can impact disability?
- Civil rights laws
- Procurement laws
- Domain-specific laws
What is the UN CRPD?
Convention drafted in 2000 by NGOs, calling all nations to promote & protect rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international ratified treaty, and the most important political and democratic expression of the will to grant and guarantee equal human rights to people with disabilities globally.
Result of many long-lasting political civil rights movements driving a paradigm shift from the personal deficit model (medical, charity, protection) toward an inclusive, equal human rights model (social, environmental adaptation).
Signed & ratified by 160 UN member states.
Adopted in 2000
Which decade was proclaimed the “decade of people with disabilities” by the United Nations (UN)?
1980s
What is the Optional Protocol?
A 2008 “side agreement” to the UN CRPD, launched to implement the competencies and rights of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to monitor and accept complaints.
This provides a tool to make the UN CRPD operational and impacting in practice.
This has been signed by 92 nations until today.
(The United States signed the UN CRPD in 2009, but failed to reach a 2/3 majority in the Senate in 2012 to ratify it. Therefore, they haven’t ratified this either.)
What was the purpose of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union?
To bring consistency and clarity to various rights throughout EU Member States.
Declared: 2000. Became law: 2009
What 2 articles of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union are relevant to disability?
- Article 26: Integration of persons with disabilities (ensure independence, social, and occupational integration & participation in community)
- Article 21: Non-discrimination (prohibits discrimination, based on any grounds, including disability)
What 2 treaties preceded the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights?
- The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) of 1950
- The European Social Charter (ESC) of 1961
What is the purpose of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)?
Signed in 1950, it grants fundamental civil and political rights to everyone, including people with disabilities (implicitly under “other status” section).
What is the purpose of The European Social Charter (ESC)?
Adopted in 1961, it guarantees fundamental social and economic rights, as well as independence, social integration, and participation in community life to people with disabilities.
What is the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights?
Charter adopted in 1981 that recognizes the rights of all people.
What is the African Disability Rights Protocol (ADRP)?
Adopted in 2018 to add details to CRPD:
* Protect human rights of PWD
* Adds provisions about armed conflicts and forced displacements
* Adds broader provisions on harmful practices
What is Article 8(1)’s purpose of the CRPD?
What are the specifics?
Raise Awareness:
* Adopt immediate measures to combat stereotypes, prejudices, and harmful practices relating to persons with disabilities, including those based on sex and age, in all areas of life.
What is Article 11(1)’s purpose of the ADRP?
Specifics needed
- Take all appropriate measures and offer support/assistance to victims of harmful practices perpetrated on PWD (including witchcraft, abandonment, concealment, ritual killings, or the association of disability w/ omens).
Note: ADRP not forced bc it hasn’t reached 15 ratifications needed.
What is the Inter-American Convention?
When and where was it adopted?
The Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities was adopted in 1999 in Guatemala (before the CRPD) as the 1st regional binding treaty that expressly prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities.
What are the objectives of the Inter-American Convention?
To prevent and eliminate all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities and to promote their full integration into society.
What does Article II of the Inter-American Convention declare?
Article II declares that its objectives are to prevent and eliminate all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities and to promote their full integration into society.
What does Article III of the convention specifically address?
What 4 measures must participating states parties undertake in the Inter-American Convention?
Accessibility
- Provide or make available goods, services, facilities, programs, and activities
- Ensure new buildings, vehicles, and facilities constructed facilitate transportation, communications, and access by persons of disabilities
- Eliminate architectural, transportation, and communication obstacles to facilitate access and use by persons with disabilities
- Ensure persons responsible for applying this Convention and domestic law in this area are trained to do so.
What are the 3 priority areas in The Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities?
- Prevent all forms of preventable disabilities
- Early detection and intervention, treatment, rehabilitation, education, job training, and the provision of comprehensive services to ensure the optimal level of independence and quality of life for persons with disabilities
- Educational campaigns aimed at eliminating prejudices, stereotypes, and other attitudes that jeopardize the right of persons to live as equals (promoting respect and coexistence).
What was the purpose of the UK’s Equality Act of 2010?
Passed in the UK in 2010:
To unify and strengthen multiple anti-discrimination laws in the workplace and society.
Based on several different characteristics.
How does the UK’s Equality Act 2010 propose to prohibit discrimination?
Prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics, listing disability as one of them. Protects against direct (PWD treated worse bc of their disability) and indirect (policy applicable to everyone causes disadvantage to PWD) discrimination.
Act requires “the exercise of certain functions to be with regard to the need to eliminate discrimination.”
The Equality Act 2010 replaces and supersedes which 3 laws that named specific populations?
- Sex Discrimination Act 1975
- Race Relations Act 1976
- Disability Discrimination Act 1995
What are the protected characteristics in Section 4 of The Equality Act 2010?
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race or ethnic identity
- religion or belief
- sex
- sexual orientation or identity
What is a civil right?
An individual’s right to freedom and to equal treatment and to not be subjected to discrimination based on certain characteristics.
Civil rights laws take cues from which model of disability?
The Social Model
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990?
A civil rights law that protects people with disabilities, similar to those provided on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion.
It guarantees equal opportunity for people with disabilities in 5 areas.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 guarantees equal opportunity in what 5 areas?
- Public accommodations
- Employment
- Transportation
- State and local goverment services
- Telecommunications
How was the ADA updated in April 2024?
When will it be enforced?
Title II, which applies to state & local gov’t entities updated to require websites and mobile apps to adhere to WCAG 2.1, Level AA.
Compliance Deadlines are between April 2026 (>= 50k persons) and April 2027 (0 to 49,999 persons; special district gov’ts).
How do US web accessibility lawsuits currently base their legal complaints?
They invoke the ADA as the basis because of its language about “public accommodation,” which falls under Title III.
Who does Title II of the ADA apply to?
State and local government entities
(services, programs, & activities)
What 2 entities are accountable to the US Americans with Disabilities act of 1990?
- Businesses that own, rent, or lease public places of accommodation and organizations open to the public
- Federal, state, and local government entities
Exceptions: religious entities & private clubs
The US Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 guarantees equal opportunity in what 5 areas?
- Public accommodations
- Employment
- Transportation
- State and local government services (public entities)
- Telecommunications
Who enforces the ADA?
- US Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division
- For educational institutions, US Department of Education Office (DOE) for Civil Rights, through consent decrees and settlements
What is the Employment Equality Directive of the EU? What is its purpose?
In 2000, the EU adopted this directive, prohibiting disability discrimination in employment and occupation. All member states have implemented it in their national law.
Directive requires reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities to guarantee equal treatment.
In 2008, the EU proposed a general anti-discrimination directive that wasn’t adopted. What is the result from country to country?
General anti-discrimination or disability equality legislation differs in content and approach.
For example, healthcare legislation can be categorized into 1 of 4 groups, depending on whether they prohibit disability discrimination and/or require reasonable accommodation:
- prohibits discrimination
- requires reasonable accommodation
- both
- neither
What are Information Technology (IT) laws?
Information Technology laws provide legal outlines and regulations for distributing, collecting, and storing electronic information.
What are 9 Information Technology (IT) laws that focus on accessibility requirements?
- 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)
- Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)
- Web Standards for the Government of Canada
- Standards sur l’accessibilité du Web (Quebec)
- French Law 2005-102
- Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung (BITV 2) (Germany)
- Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies (Ireland)
- Law 4/2004 (“Stanca” Law) (Italy)
- Law 34/2002, Law 51/2003 (Spain)
What were the main drivers of civil rights protections for people with disabilities?
- The move from medical to the social model of disability (main driver)
- UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)
What do most disability-related laws focus on?
Equality rather than fostering social welfare provisions
Law has 2 approaches to granting rights to or accommodating the needs of people with disabiliities:
- Reasonable accommodation (equal treatment on a case-by-case basis)
- Accessibility (requirements met regardless of a person’s disability status)
What is the focus of the US 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) of 2010?
Updates federal comm law to increase access of persons with disabilities to modern communications. Accessibility laws enacted previously in the 80s and 90s brought up to date with 21st century technologies, including new digital, broadband, and mobile innovations.
(Includes: video comm, texting, mobile web browsers, closed captions, etc.)
What is the focus of the Air Carrier Access Ammendments Act of 2017?
Ammendment for ACAA
Accessibility for airline travel
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel. Defines the rights of passengers and the obligations of airlines under this law. Applies to all flights of US airlines and to flights to or from the United States by foreign airlines.
What is the focus of the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD)?
Governs EU-wide coordination of national legislation on all audiovisual media - traditional TV broadcasts and on-demand services.
Requires services provided by media service providers are made continuously and progressively more accessible through proportionate measures, and that emergency info via audiovisual media services are provided accessibly. Encourages service providers to develop accessibility action plans to do so.
What is the focus of the European Electronic Communications Code?
Facilitates provision of high quality, secure, and affordable telecommunication services throughout Europe. Promotes addressing the needs of end-users with disabilities, supporting equivalent access and choice…
What is the focus of the EU eIDAS Regulation?
The Regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (eIDAS Reg) requires trust services, like electronic signatures and end-user products providing trust services are accessible.
What is the focus of the EN 301 549 standard?
A voluntary harmonized European standard with a broad set of requirements, originally created to provide accessibility requirements for all ICT products and services.
Annex A of the standard lists requirements relevant to the Web Accessibility Directive.
The requirements in Annex A of the EN 301 549 align with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, extending its scope to downloadable docs and mobile apps, biometrics, 2-way voice comms, accessibility documentation, and support services.
What is the focus of EN 301 549 Accessibility Requirements for Public Procurement of ICT Products and Services in Europe?
Ensures that products and services publicly purchased are compliant with accessibility standards.
Most recent version: v.3.2.1 published in March ‘21
What is the European Directive 2016/2102?
The EU Web Accessibility Directive, also known as Directive 2016/2102, establishes the accessibility requirements that all member states’ public sector bodies must implement, maintain, and enforce regarding their websites and mobile apps.
The Directive refers to the EN 301 549 standard to make websites and mobile apps accessible.
What are the requirements for websites and mobile apps for the EU Directive 2016/2102?
Website and app requirements:
* Ensure they’re accessible
* Include an accessibility statement
* Include method to report accessibility issues
* Link to enforcement procedures
What law in the US could the European Accessibility Act be compared to?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
What is the focus of the European Accessibility Act?
Create a common set of accessibility guidelines across all EU member states by establishing for key products and services, such as computers/OSs, banking & ATMs, audio-visual media, eBooks, eCommerce, public transport, and smartphones.
How does the European Accessibility Act impact accessibility?
The EAA sets minimum accessibility rules with enforcement methods and penalties for violation for all private businesses producing and selling key products and services, including computers/OSs, banking & ATMs, audio-visual media, eBooks, eCommerce, public transport, and smartphones.
What are the 4 key phrases of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
- Initiate
- Plan
- Implement
- Sustain
“Learn the basics” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Initiate
“Explore the current environment” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Initiate
“Set objectives” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Initiate
“Develop business case” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Initiate
“Raise Awareness” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Initiate
“Gather support” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Initiate
“Create an accessibility policy” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Plan
“Assign responsibilities” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Plan
“Determine budget and resources” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Plan
“Review the environment” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Plan
“Review websites” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Plan
“Establish a monitoring framework” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Plan
“Engage with stakeholders” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Plan & Sustain
“Build skills and expertise” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Implement
“Integrate goals into policies” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Implement
“Assign tasks and support delivery” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Implement
“Evaluate early and regularly” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Implement
“Prioritize issues” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Implement
“Track and communicate progress” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Implement
“Monitor websites” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Sustain
“Track standards and legislation” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Sustain
“Adapt to new technologies” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Sustain
“Incorporate user feedback” is a key part of what phase of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Recommendations?
Sustain
What is a maturity model?
Which should you use?
A tool for organizations to measure progress and improvements in a given area.
Find the one that best suits the culture and needs of your organization.
What are 2 maturity models for accessibility?
- The Capability Maturity Model for Software, Adapted
- Business Disability Forum’s Accessibility Maturity Model
“Executive-Level Tech Champions” is a commitment in which maturity model?
Accessibility Technology Charter in the Business Disability Forum’s Accessibility Maturity Model
“Ensure colleague awareness” is a commitment in which maturity model?
Accessibility Technology Charter in the Business Disability Forum’s Accessibility Maturity Model
“Consult with disabled peers / customers / experts” is a commitment in which maturity model?
Accessibility Technology Charter in the Business Disability Forum’s Accessibility Maturity Model
“Enable built-in accessibility tech personalization” is a commitment in which maturity model?
Accessibility Technology Charter in the Business Disability Forum’s Accessibility Maturity Model
“Embed and promote workplace adjustment processes to provide assistive tech” is a commitment in which maturity model?
Accessibility Technology Charter in the Business Disability Forum’s Accessibility Maturity Model
“Give teams the accessibility know-how” is a commitment in which maturity model?
Accessibility Technology Charter in the Business Disability Forum’s Accessibility Maturity Model
“Establish a performance baseline using the Accessibility Maturity Model” is a commitment in which maturity model?
Accessibility Technology Charter in the Business Disability Forum’s Accessibility Maturity Model
“Promote inclusive design development lifecycle” is a commitment in which maturity model?
(from definition to delivery to minimize cost and reputational risk)
Accessibility Technology Charter in the Business Disability Forum’s Accessibility Maturity Model
“Include accessibility as key requirement in procurement” is a commitment in which maturity model?
Accessibility Technology Charter in the Business Disability Forum’s Accessibility Maturity Model
“Continuously improve, document, and share” is a commitment in which maturity model?
Accessibility Technology Charter in the Business Disability Forum’s Accessibility Maturity Model
What are the 5 levels of the Business Disability Forum’s Accessibility Maturity Model based off the Accessibility Technology Charter?
Level 1. Informal: No documentation.
Level 2. Defined: Documented but not actioned.
Level 3. Repeatable: Process established and actioned consistently.
Level 4. Managed: Process monitored and improved.
Level 5. Best practice. Innovate, improve, and share.
What are the 5 levels of The Capability Maturity Model for Software adapted to ICT accessbility?
- Initial
- Policies in Place
- Defined
- Managed
- Optimizing
“Capabilities are ad hoc, unstable, unrepeatable, untraceable, no established process or environment” describes which level of The Capability Maturity Model for Software adapted to ICT accessibility?
Initial
“Policies are in place to manage projects and procedures for ICT accessibility” describes which level of The Capability Maturity Model for Software adapted to ICT accessibility?
Processes are practiced, documented, enforced, trained, measured, and
able to be improved.
Repeatable
“Standard, unified processes are integrated across the organization, used and changed as appropriate” describes which level of The Capability Maturity Model for Software adapted to ICT accessibility?
Defined
“Organization sets quantitative goals with well-defined and consistent measurements describes which level of The Capability Maturity Model for Software adapted to ICT accessibility?
Managed
“The entire organization is focused on continuous process improvement” describes which level of The Capability Maturity Model for Software adapted to ICT accessibility?
Optimizing
“Commitment to perform (establish org policies and senior management sponsorship)” is a key practice in which maturity model?
The Capability Maturity Model for Software adapted to ICT accessibility
“Ability to perform (resources, organizational structures, and training)” is a key practice in which maturity model?
The Capability Maturity Model for Software adapted to ICT accessibility
“Activities performed (establish plans/procedures, performing & tracking work, and taking corrective action)” is a key practice in which maturity model?
The Capability Maturity Model for Software adapted to ICT accessibility
“Measurement & analysis (measurement examples to determine status and effectiveness of activities performed)” is a key practice in which maturity model?
The Capability Maturity Model for Software adapted to ICT accessibility
“Verifying implementation (reviews and audits by management and quality assurance)” is a key practice in which maturity model?
The Capability Maturity Model for Software adapted to ICT accessibility
When does the W3C recommend evaluating accessibility?
Early and throughout the design and development process.
What type of international agreement is legally binding and governed?
Treaty
What is the US’s relationship with the UN CRPD?
Formally signed, but not adopted
Why are management champions important across an organization?
As a role model, champions from key areas across your organization can help launch and sustain an accessibility program.
Champions with a deep understanding of accessibility can understand the level of accessibility w/n their area of responsibility and lead initiatives to improve.
Champions can become advocates during an accessibility adoption plan by engaging teams, building awareness and skills, and promoting accessibility.
Accessibility champions across your organization can help to:
- Build vision and align implementation strategies.
- Sustain ongoing commitment and collaboration.
- Support programmatic integration of accessibility throughout organization process, distinguishing it from discrete accessibility projects.
- Lead adoption of an accessibility maturity model.
What is critical to the design and development of accessible ICT?
Testing
What are W3C’s and other organization’s evaluating for accessibility recommendations?
- Ensure product/service is fit for purpose: 1) Design for usability, and 2) consider “born accessible” design approach.)
- Create reusable design and code libraries to help develop acc code.
- Use QA tools, methods, & protocols, including accessibility eval tools (Human eval is critical.)
- Perform formative, summative, and continuous evals. (Test throughout project lifecycle & when adding new content or updating code.)
- Include people with disabilities in evals.
- If gaps exist in your organization’s capabilities, use outside expert analysis and consultations until you build in-house expertise.
Categorizing Accessibility Efforts: Usually your scope can be defined in one of the following categories:
- Innovation: New accessbiility tech or techniques
- New Design: Incorporate known accessibility best practices into new product/ project
- Retrofitting: Fix accessibility flaws in existing product/project
- Maintenance: Ensure new features don’t break existing accessibility features
What’s the advantage of designing something new instead of retrofitting an old design?
You can build the accessibility into the design from the beginning.
This is MUCH better and easier than trying to add accessibility onto an existing design after the fact.
What should you ask yourself when faced when retrofitting an old design?
Would it be better to fix the old design or better to start fresh and create a new design the right way, with embedded accessibility?
When retrofitting a design, what are some basic tasks to consider for the scope?
- Create an inventory of everything to assess for accessibility
- Assess the inventory items, or assess a representative sample if it’s large
- Prioritize the accessibility fixes that must be done
Section 504 and 508 are part of what act?
US Rehabilitation Act of 1973
