Scheduled at 11:30 am in Penrose 1 on Friday, November 15.
#39697Speaker(s)
- Marisha Lamont-Manfre, Accessibility & Usability Assessment Manager, University of Colorado Boulder
- Mike Williamson, Assistant Director of Digital Accessibility, University of Colorado Boulder
- Amelia Dickerson, Disability Advocacy Specialist, University of Colorado Boulder
Session Details
- Length of Session: 1-hr
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: All Levels
- Type of session: General Conference
Summary
The Digital Accessibility Office (DAO) and Disability Services Office from the University of Colorado Boulder presents a case study on workplace communication tools (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack on a computer). The presentation will cover the results of a manual accessibility and usability assessment. Following the results, we will discuss the implications of these findings in a workplace setting and how this information can be used to support individuals from an organizational practice.
Abstract
Communication tools are ubiquitous in workplace settings, and crucial communication happens in those spaces. Workers with disabilities need access to all forms of communication to actively and successfully participate in the workplace. Knowing how vital workplace communications are to getting work done, how can we ensure all employees have access to employment updates, urgent messages, and general conversations? The preceding question is one that the Digital Accessibility and Disability Services Offices at the University of Colorado Boulder have been focused on for many years and has resulted in a project to compare and contrast the three main communication tools used across the campus of CU Boulder. This session will provide an overview of the project and relay our findings with the hope that our work can be used to inform your decisions about the tools you employ and how you employ them.
In this case study, the Digital Accessibility Office (DAO) and Disability Services Office from the University of Colorado Boulder examined the accessibility of common workplace communication tools (Zoom, Teams, and Slack) both individually and how they compare to one another with regard to their similar functions. In this presentation, we will review the results from our manual accessibility assessments of the products, framing the results from a usability or user-centered focus. Using the framework of accessibility as user experience, we will discuss the implications of these findings in a workplace setting and how this information can be used to support individuals from an organizational practice.
Finally, we will provide some tips and tricks for using the tools with alternate access and assistive technologies (e.g., keyboard and screen reader); focusing on methods and techniques that non-power users may approach the tools.
Keypoints
- Understand the differences between the levels of accessibility of 3 communication technologies.
- Discuss accessibility in organizational practice around communication tools.
- Establish parameters for choosing the best solution for your (individual, organization, institution) needs.
Disability Areas
All Areas
Topic Areas
Assistive Technology, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access
Speaker Bio(s)
Marisha Lamont-Manfre
Marisha Lamont-Manfre is the Accessibility & Usability Assessment Manager. She will be coordinating the stages of accessibility assessments and consulting work. Prior to CU, she has worked in accessibility services, assistive technology, and digital accessibility.
Mike Williamson
Mike has worked in accessibility, assistive technology (AT), and disability services for over 15 years. He has a Master of Science degree in Assistive Technology and Human Services from California State University Northridge. Throughout his career, Mike has worked as a certified assistive technology trainer, accessibility consultant, and director of a low vision and blindness support center.
Mike is currently the Assistant Director for Digital Accessibility at the Univeristy of Colorado Boulder, where he oversees the operation of accessibility testing, procurement, training, outreach, and consulting efforts. Mike also teaches multiple courses in accessibility and assistive technology at California State University, Northridge.
Amelia Dickerson
Amelia currently works as the Disability Accessibility Specialist in the Disability Services office at CU Boulder. Previously, she worked as a --- in the Digital Accessibility Office at the same university. In these positions, she has developed projects such as a database of accessibility issues from the perspective of the user and a history of disability and accessibility in the post-secondary setting. She also writes on a variety of topics, some related to technology and others completely unrelated. Perhaps her most important job is keeping her guide dog, Lotus, fed.