Let’s talk accessibility

Irene Walker

@1rene

because content strategy is inclusive

CS Forum 2011London

{Or: #contentstrategy hearts #accessibility}

Michael - 18, student, blind

Harriet – 66, retired, has RSI

UNDERSTAND THE ISSUESJanet – 30, swimming teacher, deaf

Carlos – 28, attorney, has dyslexia

Not enough content practitioners are talking about accessibility

News siteseLearning sites

Online banking

Sports results

Multimedia

eCommerce

Social networking

Email

Accessibility is about lifting barriers

Managing expectations

Accessibility is not a checklist – it’s an ongoing commitment.

What is accessibility? Why should I care?

All disabilities that affect access to the web

Visual

AuditoryCognitive and neurological

Speech Physical

Also, access for people who don’t have disabilities

Visual

AuditoryCognitive and neurological

Speech Physical

Older peopleNew web users

Low bandwidths

Accessibility is the capacity of ANY user, regardless of ability or disability, to access the same content and information.

Accessibility and the law

“All decision-makers need to understand the legal reasons for designing accessibly, and the legal liability for ignoring the issue. This is especially important since ignorance of the law is not a defense.”

- Cynthia Waddell

Australia

New Zealand

Hong Kong

CanadaJapan

Singapore

Brazil

USA

Countries with accessible web design laws or policies

Korea

European countries with accessible web design laws or policies

Italy

Luxembourg

Portugal

Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Ireland

Norway

Sweden

United Kingdom

Denmark

Holland

Business advantages

Accessibility means

business

Increased usability

Search engine optimisation

Less development time

Direct cost savings

Wider clientele

Optimised mobile content

Okay. We get it. What now?

Sew accessibility into your content strategy processes

Assessing user goals

Briefing writers

Managing change

Testing content

Evangelise accessibility

Content strategists are modern storytellers

Fact or fiction?

Most people will experience some degree of disability in their lifetime.

Photo credit: © Boy_W

onder

Fact or fiction?

Accessibility is expensive.

Photo credit: © Boy_W

onder

Fact or fiction?

Accessibility improvements limit the user experience for users without disabilites.

Photo credit: © Boy_W

onder

Thanks for listening

Irene Walker

Let’s start talking accessibility more

Irene Walker

@1rene

CS Forum 2011London

{And remember: #contentstrategy hearts #accessibility}