What I learnt across 3 days attending sessions on accessibility and disability at the Internet Governance Forum: intgovforum.org/multilingual/
(thread)
(thread)
- accessibility for disabled users is a long way down the list of priorities
- accessibility for those of us with invisible/cognitive differences is even further down that list
- accessibility for those of us with invisible/cognitive differences is even further down that list
- accessibility is something of a dirty word for both designers and clients. It's seen as an imposition, compromising "good" design and stifling creativity and creative freedom.
- very few people recognise what an accessible web site or app actually looks like
- very few people recognise what an accessible web site or app actually looks like
In regards to autism:
- the requirements of autistic web and app users is poorly understood, even by those working in the field of web accessibility and compliance
- there is very little information, research or data on autistic web users and our needs
- the requirements of autistic web and app users is poorly understood, even by those working in the field of web accessibility and compliance
- there is very little information, research or data on autistic web users and our needs
- there is very little work being done on rectifying the above shortcomings
- compliance with accessibility guidelines (WCAG) will not guarantee either an accessible or usable site or app. Only input from #ActuallyAutistic users at every stage of planning/dev. will do that.
- compliance with accessibility guidelines (WCAG) will not guarantee either an accessible or usable site or app. Only input from #ActuallyAutistic users at every stage of planning/dev. will do that.
Be aware that The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) requires signatories to ensure information is accessible and to "promote access for persons with disabilities to new information and communications technologies and systems, including the Internet."
The EU Accessibility Directive requires EU member states to ensure that their websites/apps meet the accessibility standards outlined in the the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
w3.org/TR/WCAG21/
w3.org/TR/WCAG21/
If you're in the US, this is covered by Section 508, which is based on the same WCAG guidelines. Some other countries are covered in this Wiki, if not, check locally:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_Conte…
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_Conte…
For anyone interested, specific guidelines in terms of cognitive accessibility: w3c.github.io/coga/technique…
IOW, if you come across an inaccessible, confusing, impenetrable, labyrinthine Web site or app, make a noise about it and hold people accountable. It's our right, enshrined in law.
(Especially gov/semi-gov sites/apps providing services/info. And oh yes oh yes, banks.)
(Especially gov/semi-gov sites/apps providing services/info. And oh yes oh yes, banks.)
