Overview

This session will discuss practical, common techniques to make web and digital materials more accessible. You will learn in familiar tools such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Throughout the presentation, you will also learn just how the accessibility techniques we discuss impact people with different disabilities. Different assistive technologies need different things to work as they should online. The discussion will also include people with disabilities that don’t use AT. Finally, you’ll learn how to use some built-in and free tools to help to determine if a web page or digital document is accessible as well.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify at least five web and digital accessibility techniques that remove barriers to people with disabilities using common tools like Microsoft Word.
2. Describe how more accessible websites positively impact the user experience for people with at least five different kinds of disabilities.
3. Identify at least three different tools that can help to measure accessibility in a website or Microsoft Word, or PowerPoint file.

Strand(s)

Mainstream Accessible Technologies

Target Audience

Accessibility Professional; ADA Coordinator; Communication Specialist; Consultants/Trainers; Curriculum and Instruction; Disability Services; Educators; Faculty/Instructors - Higher Education; Government/Non-Profit Agencies; Instructional Technologist; Occupational Therapists; Rehabilitation Counselor; Speech-Language Pathologists; Teachers of the Visually Impaired

Experience Level

Introductory

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

All

Session Delivery Format

In-person presentation with recording

Course Schedule

This course was given at the ATIA 2024 Conference on Friday, January 26 from 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM (EST)

Continuing Education Credits

For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Online Education CEUs

This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP; AOTA; ASHA; CRC; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours

Speaker/s:

Rob Carr

WebAIM, Strategic Accessibility Coordinator

Biography

Rob Carr is the Strategic Accessibility Coordinator at WebAIM, which is part of the Institute for Disability Research, Policy and Practice at Utah State University. Rob has been in the digital accessibility space since 2010. He has spent loads of time training, consulting, and learning about digital accessibility topics large and small. Rob has worked with thousands of individuals and dozens of organizations on everything from accessibility in a single PDF to integrating accessibility into organizations’ digital strategies. At WebAIM Rob works primarily to help organizations to approach web and digital accessibility as a strategic effort, at the project, program, and organizational levels. He also trains and consults on folding accessibility into technology purchasing and use decisions. Part of his time also goes to contributing to WebAIM’s renowned technical accessibility evaluation services. Rob also presents at national conferences, in both long- and short-form sessions, including Accessing Higher Ground, AccessU, AHEAD, the National ADA Symposium, ATIA, and others. Rob previously worked to build the accessibility services side of Oklahoma ABLE Tech, Oklahoma’s Assistive Technology Act Program.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Rob is paid by WebAIM, an internationally recognized digital accessibility group based at Utah State University. Rob is also an ATIA 2024 Strand Advisor and receives complimentary conference registration and travel assistance in exchange for assisting with the event.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No