Presented at 9:00am in Westminster IV on Tuesday, November 15, 2016.
#5784Speaker(s)
- Hadi Rangin, IT Accessibility Specialist, University of Washington
- Robert Beach, Assistive Technology Specialist, Kansas City Kansas Community College
- Lucy Greco, Web Accessibility Evangelist, University of California, Berkeley
Session Details
- Length of Session: 5-6 hr
- Format:
- Expertise Level: Expert
- Type of session: Pre-conference
Summary
In this hands-on, full-day, pre-conference workshop, we will introduce the basics of screen reader accessibility testing and how you can use JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver (on the Mac and iOS), and Android TalkBack to evaluate the usability of a web application or website.
Abstract
Web application designers and developers are becoming more aware of accessibility and are expressing desire to consider it in the design, implementation, and testing phases. While testing for keyboard or high-contrast accessibility is generally straightforward, testing for screen reader accessibility requires deeper knowledge of accessibility, an understanding of how screen readers interact with the web, and an appreciation of how people who rely on screen readers tend to use them. In this hands-on, full-day, pre-conference workshop, we will introduce the basics of screen reader accessibility testing and how you can use JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver (on the Mac and iOS), and Android TalkBack to evaluate the usability of a web application or website. This workshop will be useful for both developers and accessibility advocates. Note: Due to variety of the topic, workshop attendees will be expected to have basic familiarity with web accessibility and experience in using a screen reader.
Keypoints
- Understand how people with disabilities perceive and interact with websites and web applications.
- Understand how different screen readers work and how to use them.
- Learn how to use Jaws, NVDA, VoiceOver and Talk Back to identify potential accessibility issues.
Disability Areas
Mobility, Vision
Topic Areas
Assistive Technology, Web/Media/App Access
Speaker Bio(s)
Hadi Rangin
Hadi Rangin is an Information Technology Accessibility Specialist at the University of Washington in Seattle. In this position he is tasked with improving access to information technologies for all users, including those with disabilities. To do this Hadi works with and advises software engineers, designers, administrators, and purchasers on accessible implementation techniques, quality assurance, and best practices. Some of the higher education vendors Hadi has collaborated with include Blackboard, Blackboard Collaborate, Desire2Learn, Moodle, Canvas, Elsevier, Ebsco, Ex-Libris, PeopleSoft, Microsoft, Google, Qualtrics, Ellucian, Workday, ServiceNow, Trumba, Innotas, Zoom, and many more.
Additionally, Hadi teaches the Universal Design Principles for Online Learning as well as the Certificate of Professional Development course in Information Accessibility Design and Policy for the University of Illinois.
Hadi's educational background is in Computer Science with a focus on Network Management and Human-Computer Interfaces. As someone who is blind, Hadi brings a wealth of personal and professional experiences to the many spheres he works within.
Robert Beach
Robert has been the Assistive Technology Specialist at Kansas City Kansas Community College since January of 1994. He is a member of AHEAD and ATHEN. He currently serves on the ATHEN Executive Board as a Member at Large Representative. He has presented several sessions at previous Accessing Higher Ground conferences as well as other regional and national conferences.
Lucy Greco
Lucy Greco is the Web Accessibility Evangelist for UC Berkeley.She has been blind since birth. She first started using computers in 1985. Upon graduating from college, instead of continuing her interest in literature and physical therapy, Lucy became an accessible technology specialist. Since then, people have come to Lucy asking questions, such as: How can I experience email as a blind person? How can I experience using a word processor as a person with no hands?
Lucy’s passion for access technology drove her to find the answers to these questions and more. and today is working on helping developers at Berkeley and beyond to make the web a better place.