Empowering Content Authors in Maintaining Accessible Web-Based Content

Handouts Media

Scheduled at 9:00 am in Mattie Silks on Friday, November 15.

#39601

Speaker(s)

  • Jeff Singleton, Principal, Converge Accessibility

Session Details

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

Summary

Learn how to empower content authors to contribute to the day-to-day accessibility within a Content Management System (CMS) without the need to understand the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Six key areas that content editors can control in most CMS editors will be discussed, along with how to identify what your CMS editor allows content authors to maintain. The concepts will be demonstrated with the Beaver Building WordPress editor but can be applied to any CMS editor.

Abstract

Content Management Systems (CMS) are the foundation of most websites in the digital landscape. While much effort goes into ensuring the CMS templates and layouts are accessible, the true challenge lies in maintaining accessibility daily when content editors step in. This presentation reviews six areas where content editors wield the power to uphold the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) within the CMS.

  1. Headings: Their real purpose and how to use them effectively and accessibly.
  2. Tables: When to use tables and how to do so accessibly.
  3. Alternative Text: How to craft accurate and effective text equivalents for images.
  4. Contrast Ratios: Why contrast is essential and how to verify contrast ratios.
  5. Lists: Using lists to enhance content clarity and accessibility.
  6. Link Text: Using link text to provide meaning out of context.

This presentation focuses on non-technical and actionable guidance that content creators can use. It will introduce content authors to accessibility best practices they can easily incorporate into their role within the web content development lifecycle. These concepts will be demonstrated using the Beaver Builder WordPress editor and can be applied to any CSM editor. Knowledge of CMS editors will be beneficial for this session but optional.

Keypoints

  1. Understand the type of elements a content author has control to make accessible.
  2. Learn how to configure accessible elements and structure.
  3. Empower editors to create accessible content and encourage others to do so as well.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Faculty Development & Support, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Jeff Singleton

Jeff Singleton is one of the nation's leading authorities on web accessibility and testing. He is a former member of Microsoft's Accessible Technology Group (ATG) and led the quality assurance team for Windows Narrator. An expert user of most assistive technologies, Jeff has a keen understanding of accessibility standards (such as WCAG and Section 508) as well as the practical impact of accessibility issues on people with disabilities.

Jeff has led important projects with leading companies such as HP and Microsoft. And he has helped government agencies like the Veteran's Health Administration make their technology accessible. For the last several years, NASA has also trusted Jeff to perform accessibility reviews of the technologies (including web sites) used by its grantees.

One of Jeff's strongest talents and passions is educating others about accessibility. For the last twelve years, he has led training sessions at important international accessibility conferences, such as the California State University, Northridge Center on Disabilities CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, and the National ADA Symposium. Jeff also holds an ADA Coordinator Title III Business Certificate and is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).

Handout(s)