Accessibility
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OVERVIEW
Accessible digital content is important because it ensures that everyone can use it. Creating and providing accessible content is high on everyone’s inclusive learning agendas and work plans. There is a legal obligation under the Equality Act 2010, alongside a moral duty and desire for its provision but the practicalities are not always fully understood.
This article has been prepared for Digipedia by JISC TechDis.
Introduction
JISC TechDis takes the pragmatic view, that accessibility is often a balance between contrary tensions and that the accessibility of digital content can only be properly judged at the point of delivery. Understanding of the delivery is therefore crucial. The following sections aim to facilitate insight and signpost pragmatic solutions to this seemingly complex area.
What accessibility of digital content means
Digital content is said to be any form of knowledge, information or data stored electronically (for example websites, gaming, research data, web 2.0 technologies, video, images and e-learning objects). Accessibility is usually defined in terms of the degree to which anyone can access and use a website using any web browsing technology. A fully accessible site is one that is designed to make use of the latest web technologies while at the same time accommodating the needs of those who have difficulty with or are unable to use these technologies.
Guidelines and standards, such as the two examples below are generally aimed therefore at web accessibility. However, it is important to recognise that accessibility is more than being able to read a website. In a teaching and learning context, for example, engaging learners with meaningful experiences is important and the nature of the experience may be more significant than the technical accessibility of a resource.
The W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) vers 2.0 are designed to help web designers build and operate websites that are accessible to as many users as possible, to prevent any exclusion on the grounds of a user’s disability. They define a web page as being, amongst other things, ‘A Web resource including all embedded images and media’.
BS 8878. Web accessibility: code of practice is the first British Standard to address the growing challenge of digital inclusion. It applies to all web products, including websites, web-services and web-based workplace applications (for example web-based email interface) that are delivered to users via Internet Protocol, through a web browser. However it is not designed for those producing digital content for educational purposes.
Facilitating, designing and creating accessible digital content is therefore more than just about providing accessible websites. It is about delivering accessible experiences, whether for learning, information-seeking or leisure activities. The next section sets out a holistic approach which aims to address the accessibility gaps between web sites/pages, digital content and its meaningful use.
A holistic approach to accessible digital content
Accessibility cannot be treated in isolation from other factors that combine to determine the success or otherwise of digital resources. A holistic approach is needed both to ensure that all who wish to use the material are able to do so and that the user experience is a positive one. At the planning stage of any digital content creation initiative, thought needs to be given to the accessibility implications of its role and purpose, intended audience, the technical environment and assistive technologies, and likely development cycle. Once these are identified, appropriate solutions can be implemented drawing on available standards and guidelines such as those provided by the W3C and tested for usabilty and accessibility with the tools available from Web2Access.
e-learning materials
However, there are no similar guidelines for e-learning or blended learning. This means that sometimes people are tempted to try to apply the WCAG Guidelines to learning materials, and while some general principles can be applied across both domains, the fit is not always a good one. It may well be inappropriate to apply web accessibility guidelines to e-learning material without taking other factors into consideration.
It is important to note the distinction between website accessibility and the accessibility of e-learning materials. Although the W3C Guidelines for content accessibility are valuable, they should not be regarded as the only set of criteria which developers of e-learning resources need to consider. There are additional factors which need to be addressed, some of which may conflict with the W3C Guidelines.
Within e-learning, there is a need to place the learner at the centre of the development process. JISC TechDis has provided many exemplars, such as the TATA learning object, that reflect this approach and which recognise differentiation in the design of learning materials, and therefore that an accessible resource for one learner may be an inaccessible resource for another. Therefore 'inaccessible' e-learning resources may be deployed provided that disabled learners are still able to demonstrate the required learning outcomes in a way which does not disadvantage them or their non-disabled peers. Staff development in accessible IT practice can transform both resources and experiences for all learners – see IT user qualification (ITQ) in accessible IT practice. It is also important to recognise that different levels of technical conformance are to be expected from different roles within an institution. Advice for subject tutors creating e-learning materials should follow different guidelines from those provided for technical experts.
Accessibility tools for the digital content lifecycle
JISC TechDis is the leading UK Advisory service on accessibility and inclusion and has as a range of resources, some of which are role-specific, that can be used at various stages of the digital content life cycle. Links to a selection can be found below. Please visit the JISC TechDis website for further information, guidance and support.
- Accessibility Essentials – a suite of resources on how to make digital information more accessible.
- Accessibility Guidance for Technology Projects - accessibility guidelines, where they are useful, when to compromise and why standards do not necessarily guarantee usability.
- Accessibility Passport - enables developers to communicate how they have considered accessibility with their product, and for users to give feedback.
- Good Practice Guidance for Library and Information Professionals: Moving Towards Accessible e-Book Platforms - good practice guidance for publishers and procurers of e-book platforms based on the benefits and barriers identified by robust testing using real people with disabilities.
- Improve your 3 Rs: Recruitment – Retention – Results – advice and guidance on the Single Equality Act 2010.
- ITQ In Accessible Practice - if you are a practitioner such as a manager, assessor, teacher or trainer then the ITQ for Accessible IT Practice will be of interest to you.
- OASES – JISC TechDis online accessibility self evaluation service.
- Senior Management Briefing Series - points to advice and guidance needed to make a difference to inclusion in six key institutional roles.
- SIMDIS - a collection of computer based artifacts that simulate aspects of disability.
- TATA – this course is aimed at familiarisation with features of an accessible course. It also discusses the various technologies that aid accessibility.
- Toolkit for creating accessible learning materials - designed to enable teachers and trainers to create effective, engaging and accessible learning materials for their learners. Grouped into eight categories, this toolkit of guidance resources merges pedagogical and technical advice.
- Web2Access – on-line resource for evaluating Web 2.0 applications in terms of their accessibility.
- Xerte – a suite of tools for the rapid development of highly accessible, interactive learning content.
Sources of advice and guidance
BS 8788 Web Accessibility Guidelines
BS 8788 Web accessibility: Code of Practice. Published in 2010, this is the first British Standard to address the growing challenge of digital inclusion. It applies to all web products, including websites, web-services and web-based workplace applications (e.g. web-based email interface) that are delivered to users via Internet Protocol, through a web browser.
It has been designed to introduce non-technical professionals to improved accessibility, usability and user experience for disabled and older people. It will be especially beneficial to anyone new to this subject as it gives guidance on process, rather than on technical and design issues. It includes advice and guidance on:
•Involving disabled people in the development process and using automated tools to assist with accessibility testing •The management of the guidance and process for upholding existing accessibility guidelines and specifications. •Assessing the impact different technologies can have on your users •Legal responsibilities in relation to web accessibility so you can assess what to do to achieve compliance
BS 8878 stresses the impact that an organization's choice of technologies can have upon its audience and gives guidance on how to assess this. It also includes guidance for considering the needs of web users according to their specific disability, for example, people with physical impairments or people with learning disabilities.
RNIB Web Access Centre
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Web Access Centre provides technical, editorial and design advice and guidance on web accessibilty. This is supported with a range of case studies, articles and other resources together with consultancy services covering website audits, training and bespoke work. Websites which carry the RNIB "See it Right" logo, mean that they have been audited by the RNIB and have attained a high level of accessibilty. Audits can be undertaken against both the See it Right standard and the WCAG 2.0 guidelines. The RNIB has also teamed up with AbilityNet to offer an audit which includes testing by a panel of people with a range of disabilities. The Centre offers links to a wide range of other sources on accessibility including assistive technology, legislation, testing tools and advice and guidance.
JISC TechDis
JISC TechDisis a JISC Advance service supporting the education sector through the provision of advice and guidance on disability and technology. In addition to expert advice and practitioner support, JISC TechDis also works with policymakers to promote a culture of inclusion and undertakes a technology watch to identify any issues of accessibilty in emerging technologies and to advise accordingly. They provide a web accessibility self-evaluation tool along with a wide range of other materials such as How To guides and Access Apps, over 50 Open Source and freeware Windows applications, capable of running from a USB stick providing portable software to support the creation an inclusive learning environment.
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
The international authority on accessibilty standards and guidelines is the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). It is part of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and works in partnership with organisations involved in all areas from industry to government, disability and research. Through collaboration, it develops guidelines which are established as the international standard on web accessibility together with a range of support materials to help implementation. These are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.0 and it is recommended that conformance with WCAG 2.0 forms a part of all web development policies. A quick reference tool for meeting WCAG2.0 has been produced.
WAI has developed three levels of accessibility compliance: levels A, AA and AAA where level A represents achieving the minimum set of requirements and AAA the highest level.
Related Digipedia articles
Useful external links
British Standards Institute BS 8788 Web Accessibility Guidelines
IMS Guidelines for Developing Accessible Learning Applications
Linked Information
- Web Accessibility for Museums
- A Collections Trust factsheet. Discusses web accessibility issues for museums, including technological, physical and intellectual accessibility and accessibility validation. [?]
- Bulk Accessioning and the SPECTRUM Standard
- A Collections Trust factsheet. Defines bulk accessioning as the process of assigning one accession number to a large group of similar items. When to do it, how to document it, and thoughts on accessib [?]
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