Scheduled at 9:45 in Penrose I on Wednesday, November 18.
#43181Speaker(s)
- Ann Knettler, Vice President, Consulting, GrackleDocs
Session Details
- Length of Session: 1-hr
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: Beginner
- Type of session: General Conference
Summary
Automated accessibility checkers are only tools, not a complete solution. Learn why these tools miss crucial errors and discover the 7 essential manual steps to ensure true document usability. We'll explore the difference between technical compliance (WCAG, PDF/UA, WCAG2ICT) and real-world usability, and how to incorporate direct user feedback to ensure content is clear and functional for everyone.
Abstract
Many organizations rely heavily on automated accessibility checkers, assuming a passing score guarantees an accessible document. However, compliance does not equal usability. In fact, an "ADA Compliant" document is not a real thing, and automated accessibility checkers are far less accurate than you think. Automated tools are an accessibility tool, not a complete accessibility solution.
This presentation will demystify document accessibility by exploring the critical differences and connections between standards like WCAG, PDF/UA, and WCAG2ICT. We will uncover exactly what accessibility checklists and checkers fail to catch or get wrong and will learn 7 essential steps to catch the accessibility issues that automated tools frequently miss. Finally, we will cover how to incorporate genuine user feedback into document workflows by asking users about task completion time and clarity. The ultimate goal of this session is to equip creators to produce documents that are not just technically compliant, but usable by everyone.
Keypoints
- Automated checkers are only tools, not complete solutions, and cannot guarantee usability.
- There are 7 essential manual steps required to catch issues that automated tools miss.
- True accessibility requires direct user feedback and goes beyond technical compliance for functional content.
Disability Areas
Cognitive/Learning, Mobility, Psychological, Vision
Topic Areas
Alternate Format, Artificial Intelligence, Assistive Technology, Legal, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access
Speaker Bio(s)
Ann Knettler
Dr. Ann Knettler currently serves as the Vice President of Consulting for GrackleDocs, a world leader in digital accessibility. An accessibility strategist with over 19 years of experience as an ADA and 504 Compliance Officer, Director of Disability Resources offices, and global corporate policy advisor; Ann is a sought-after speaker, educator, and consultant.
As a member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), Ann currently represents the Association as a member of the Council of Representatives for the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) where she has co-authored and updated policy and standards for the entire field of higher education and currently sits on their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. A published researcher, Ann regularly presents and consults globally on topics such as the depth and breadth of digital accessibility, disability rights, assessment and the use of data as an advocacy tool, disability policy and policy reform, strategic planning for organization-wide access, creating and using policy and accessibility standards, program review, ableism, and the social justice model of disability.
Ann is an active faculty member in the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Master of Public Administration Programs at Delaware State University. She received a Masters of Arts in Counseling in Higher Education with an emphasis in Mental Health from the University of Delaware and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Delaware State University. Her dissertation focuses on the lived experiences of ableism and able-body privilege by students with disabilities in higher education and the impact that experience has on their receipt of an accessible and equitable education.