E-consultancy Accessibility Best Practice Training - 11th July, 2007
E-consultancy responds to the industry's clear need for guidance surrounding accessibility and introduces an intensive, full day's workshop that will provide you with a practical, hands on approach to accessibility compliance and inclusive design.
After the high profile that accessibility was given 18 months ago following the introduction of the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act - which ensures that websites are accessible to blind and disabled users) have things changed?
Most research still shows that companies are still very poor at delivering accessible sites and that new technologies such as Ajax are actually making the situation more difficult.
Chris Averill of CAD Interactive says; "One of the simplest tests for accessibility is to switch off JavaScript."
There are around 8.6 million people registered disabled in the UK, 3.4 million of which have disabilities preventing them from using the standard keyboard, screen and mouse set-up (Web Design - A Best Practice Guide, E-consultancy). Despite this, a Disability Rights Commission report revealed that only 19% of websites offered a basic level of accessibility.
AJAX has not helped; instead it has created a whole new layer of complexity requiring JavaScript support between different screen readers, and text only browsers. Most AJAX applications will fail disabled users when it comes to User Testing and there is widespread uncertainty over the legislation introduced under the DDA.
The difficulty is that site owners are now faced with producing another version of their content, without the AJAX/Whizzy bits for the screen reader users or providing no script alternatives, which are normally complex and hard to achieve.
Averill describes his experiences first hand; "clients tell me they are not so bothered about compliance as the improved usability for most outweighs the need for an accessible site. And the cost of implementing Ajax cuts budget that would normally be spent on accessibility."
A point reiterated in a recent AJAX and Accessibility article (Standards-Schmandards.com), which argues that; "Accessibility is often considered too late in the development process, at a time when changes cost more".
E-consultancy's workshop will walk you through the assistive devices used by disabled people to overcome accessibility barriers and demystify accessibility compliance documents and laws. This exhaustive day will be delivered by Chris Averill of CAD Interactive and Ben Logan of Spotless Design.
Chris is an expert interface designer with industry-leading usability and IA expertise, promoting user-centered design from the users and the business perspective. His career has seen him launch HomeChoice in 1996, lead BUPA's web team and deliver web & interactive TV projects for Arthur Andersen.
Ben has over 6 years experience in the New Media industry. He has worked with key businesses, including KPMG, GE Consumer Finance Home Lending, Tesco, GE Money, MTV and more.
This unique workshop is taking place on 11th July in London and is expected to book up fast, for more information and to secure your place please visit the E-consultancy website(http://www.e-consultancy.com/knowledge/events/1397/accessibility--london.html).