Practical First Steps for Achieving Web Accessibility and Avoiding Liability

Handouts Media

Presented at 4:00pm in Westminster I on Thursday, November 15, 2018.

Speaker(s)

• Ken Nakata, Director of Accessibility Consulting Practice, Cyxtera
• Jeff Singleton, Senior Accessibility Solutions Consultant, Cxytera

Session Details

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

Summary

Web accessibility newcomers are often bewildered on where to begin. This session provides a jump start in understanding basic web accessibility principles and the impact on people with disabilities.

Abstract

This session builds on the Introduction to Web Accessibility: A Practical Demonstration of the Real-Life Implications for People with Disabilities session. This session provides simple vendor-neutral steps that any organization can use to achieve web accessibility. First, it explains which WCAG 2.0 A/AA provisions are critical for avoiding a “surf by” lawsuit and how automation and manual testing come into play. It also explains why a simple Accessibility Statement ensures program access and equivalent access to goods and services—even if a website is not fully accessibility. It also describes how to build accessibility into web development processes so that future content remains accessible.

NOTE: As this is the second presentation in a series of two, it would be most beneficial presented immediately after the Web Accessibility: A Practical Demonstration of the Real-Life Implications for People with Disabilities session.

Keypoints

1. Why an Accessibility Statement is important and how to write one.
2. Easy steps for avoiding a website accessibility lawsuit.
3. How to easily create a self-sustaining culture of web accessibility.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

Ken Nakata

Ken Nakata is an attorney in the area of IT accessibility and works as the Director of Accessibility Practices for Cyxtera. His work focuses on web and software accessibility from both a legal and technical perspective. He also helps organizations manage the change towards accessibility in all aspects-including crafting policies, developing stakeholder ownership, and forging awareness and commitment to the legal and business case supporting accessibility.

Ken worked for twelve years as a Senior Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice. He has argued on behalf of the United States government many times before the federal courts and has helped shape the government’s policies for the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. In addition to litigation, he also helped developed many of the Department’s policies, including Accessibility of State and Local Government Websites to People with Disabilities available at https://www.ada.gov/websites2) and which reflects the Department’s current view towards ADA compliance for state and local government websites. Ken is a frequent speaker on both law and technology and is equally adept at conducting one-on-one workshops with programmers and developers as well as explaining law and policy to large audiences.

Jeff Singleton

Jeff Singleton has worked in evaluating and supporting software for over two decades. Jeff is the Senior Accessibility Consultant at Cyxtera, the makers of Compliance Sheriff. Jeff is skilled in the use of AT software such as screen readers, assistive input devices and screen magnification for validating and testing projects. Jeff Singleton also has an in depth knowledge of accessibility requirements and guidelines such as Section 508 and the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and how they apply to real world applications.

Handout(s)

• Practical First Steps for Achieving Web Accessibility and Avoiding Liability