Scheduled at 9:00 am in Denver 1-3 on Thursday, November 20.
#41295Speaker(s)
- Jonathan Katz-Ouziel, Principal Consultant, Opossum House Accessibility
Session Details
- Length of Session: 1-hr
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: Beginner
- Type of session: General Conference
Summary
Forms are often a barrier for people with cognitive disabilities, including neurodivergence. Inaccessible forms can prevent students, faculty, and staff from meeting basic obligations in the higher education or business setting. In this session, learn how to avoid this problem with practical skills you can apply to create cognitively accessible PDF and online forms that work for all.
Abstract
Many people with cognitive disabilities face barriers when completing forms. These obstacles often prevent them from registering for courses, completing study or work requirements, or accessing services. Often, these barriers can be easily avoided when constructing or editing a form. Forms that are accessible for neurodivergent people and other users with cognitive disabilities are often better for everyone. In this 60-minute session, you will learn how to design PDF and online forms that are accessible and inclusive for people with various cognitive disabilities. This presentation will cover design, technology, formatting, wording, and process options to support forms that enable neurodivergent students, employees, collaborators, and visitors. Examples of accessible forms will highlight ways to put these options into practice. You will also learn how to apply these lessons to other aspects of your work.
Keypoints
- Form design can help students, faculty and staff with cognitive disabilities meet their obligations and needs.
- Simple techniques can remove barriers on forms for people with cognitive disabilities.
- Cognitive accessibility on forms needs to be considered throughout the process, from conception to revision.
Disability Areas
Cognitive/Learning, Psychological
Topic Areas
Alternate Format, Assistive Technology, Faculty Development & Support, Legal, Other, Procurement, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access
Speaker Bio(s)
Jonathan Katz-Ouziel
Jonathan is an independent accessibility consultant and expert on programmatic access for people with disabilities and older adults in Maryland. He brings a decade of experience working on standards-setting, building accessibility in resource-limited environments, and educating thousands of professionals on accessibility. He developed Department-wide accessibility policies at the US Department of Labor, created accessibility learning for thousands of small businesses, and participated in the drafting of the new Section 504 regulations. He has worked at the Department of Labor, New York City government, and as a freelancer and in local government in Maryland, and holds degrees from the University of Chicago, University of Oxford, and University of Maryland-College Park.