W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) 2-Way Q&A

Media

Presented at 4:20pm in Standley II Lab on Thursday, November 21, 2019.

Speaker(s)

• Shawn Henry, Accessibility Education and Outreach Lead, W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) / MIT
• Sharron Rush, , Knowbility
• Shadi Abou-Zahra, , W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)

Session Details

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

Summary

Join this question and answer (Q&A) session to learn about the international standards organization W3C, and its Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). You can contribute your ideas on resources such as the in-progress Web Accessibility Curricula, specific training and presentation materials, and resources for making online learning accessible.

Abstract

In this session, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) international standards organization, and its Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). We will discuss the Education and Outreach Working Group (EOWG) and opportunities for you to review and contribute to resources such as the in-progress Web Accessibility Curricula, specific training and presentation materials, and resources for making online learning accessible.

Session leaders will ask for participants input on: * Which training and presentation materials would be most useful to update and create? (archived list of old resources: https://www.w3.org/WAI/presentations/Overview.html ) * Introducing WAI resources to the online learning community. (initial ideas at https://github.com/w3c/wai-eo-online-learning/wiki/Requirements-Analysis )

Keypoints

1. Learn about W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Education and Outreach free online resources
2. Contribute to the in-progress Web Accessibility Curricula and other presentation and training materials
3. Share ideas on improving WAI resources for media accessibility and online learning

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Accessible Educational Materials, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

Shawn Henry

Shawn Henry leads worldwide education and outreach promoting web accessibility for people with disabilities at the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), holds a research appointment at MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, and holds an MSc in Digital Inclusion. Prior to joining WAI, she consulted with organizations to optimize user interface design for usability and accessibility. Shawn focuses her personal passion for accessibility on bringing together the needs of individuals and the goals of organizations in designing human-computer interfaces. Her book _Just Ask: Integrating Accessibility Throughout Design_ offers an approach for developing products that are more usable for everyone.

Sharron Rush

Sharron Rush is the award winning co-founder and Executive Director of Knowbility, a nonprofit advocacy, consulting, and training company based in Austin Texas. Since 1998, Sharron has been a leader in raising awareness and skills around the issue of access to technology for people with disabilities. Her work at Knowbility includes policy review, performance analysis, technical consultation, and training development for private and public companies, government agencies, and schools. Her technical expertise, understanding of the barriers faced by people with disabilities, and strong communication and training skills have contributed to her leadership position in the field. Since 2007, she has served as an Invited Expert at the W3C, developing and applying global accessibility standards for their Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). In 2014 she became co-chair of the Education and Outreach Working Group at WAI.

Shadi Abou-Zahra

Shadi Abou-Zahra works with the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) as the Accessibility Strategy and Technology Specialist. He coordinates accessibility priorities in the W3C Strategy team, as well as international promotion, coordination, and harmonization of web accessibility standards. Shadi also maintains WAI liaisons with key stakeholders including disability, research, and standards organizations, as well as coordinates WAI outreach in Europe, accessibility evaluation techniques, and European-funded projects on accessibility.