Accessible Design Top 10 List

Handouts

Presented at 3:15pm (50 min) in Westminster I on Thursday, November 21, 2019.

#29774

Speaker(s)

  • Marcial Contreras, Accessibility Support Team Coordinator , University of Houston - Clear Lake

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 1-hr
  • Format: Lecture
  • Expertise Level: All Levels
  • Type of session: General Conference

Summary

Using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA, this presentation will inform the audience of ten tips to consider when creating accessible content. These tips are not only vital to creating an accessible document for students with disabilities, but can also benefit all individuals through incorporating universal design principles.

Abstract

Using the WCAG guidelines, we will address the following: 1. Headings – Allow users to more easily navigate through a document, especially users who are blind that need to use screen reader software. 2. Alt text – Provides a text equivalent for non-text elements, such as pictures, graphs, charts, or images. 3. Links – Must be tagged with a short description in a non-convoluted manner. 4. Tables – The rows and columns within a table should be clearly identified to assist individuals with understanding in which cell of the table they are located. 5. Captions and transcripts – Helps the hearing impaired, and non-native English speakers. 6. Font styles – Will address benefits of San Serif fonts. 7. Color contrast – Text versus background. 8. Input assistance – Electronic form fields should have meaningful labels and tooltips. 9. Keyboard functionality - Content that can be accessed solely a keyboard. 10. Time-based content – Users may require extra features to respond effectively.

Keypoints

  1. 1.Universal Design can be expanded to address the design of both the learning and virtual environment.
  2. attendees will become aware of ten accessibility tips recommended by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
  3. The audience will learn about the importance of creating accessible content.

Disability Areas

Cognitive/Learning, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Vision

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Accessible Educational Materials, Alternate Format, Assistive Technology, Legal, Teaching about Accessibility in Curriculum, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

Marcial Contreras

I have been exposed to assistive technology for the last twenty three years due to the deterioration of my vision. Since June of 2016, I have been the Accessibility Support Team Coordinator at the University of Houston - Clear Lake, which assists faculty and staff in the production and delivery of accessible electronic material. In the time that I have been at UHCL, I have presented eight times on the benefits and need for accessible electronic information at state, regional and national conferences. I obtained my Bachelors of Science in Rehabilitation Services on December 19, 2015 from Stephen F. Austin State University. While attending SFA, in 2013, I was hired as an accessibility consultant where I trained students with disabilities how to utilize assistive technology and advocated on the importance of accessible design. In 2006, I volunteered by teaching the visually impaired at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center in Austin, TX.

Handout(s)