A Holistic Framework For Web Accessibility

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A Holistic Framework For Web Accessibility
http//www.ukoln.ac.uk/web-focus/events/meetings/b
si-accessibility-2006-01/
About This Talk This talk describes a holistic
framework to Web accessibility which provides a
user-focused approach to accessibility which
provides a context for use of WAI WCAG guidelines
which recognises embraces diversity rather than
mandates conformity

• Brian Kelly
• UKOLN
• University of Bath
• Bath

Email B.Kelly_at_ukoln.ac.uk
UKOLN is supported by
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Contents

• Shared Assumptions
• WAI Limitations
• Holistic Framework
• Tangram Model
• Questions

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Common Assumptions (1)

• Things we should have in common
• A desire to see widely-accessible and
  interoperable services
• Use of open standards to provide platform and
  application-independent services
• A recognition of the challenges faced in
  achieving these aims (funding, time scales,
  expertise, user requirements, )
• A desire to provide advice on how to achieve the
  aims whilst acknowledging the challenges

Slide used at Accessibility Summit, TechDis, in
Feb 2002
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Common Assumptions (2)

• We also recognise that
• The W3C is the authoritative body which is
  driving the development of Web standards
• W3C WAI has driven the agenda for Web
  accessibility
• W3C WAI has been successful in raising awareness
  globally that
• Digital resources can be made accessible
• Digital resources should be made accessible

Slide used at Accessibility Summit, TechDis, in
Feb 2002
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Problems

• Guidelines
• WAI model is flawed (see 1)
• WCAG guidelines have flaws
• Problems with change control (WCAG ? 1.0 2.0)
• Other Developments
• Accessibility issues being addressed elsewhere
  (formats, applications, OSs, metadata, )
• Context
• Need to address diversity and seek wider
  participation rather than impose universal
  solutions

1 Further information provided in "Forcing
Standardization or Accommodating Diversity? A
Framework for Applying the WCAG in the Real World
", W4A, Japan, 2005
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Solutions

• Holistic framework for e-learning accessibility
  published in CJLT (2004)

• Focuses on the user
• and recognises importance of
• External pressures e.g. funders, QAA,
• Technical infrastructure
• Resource implications
• Learning teaching outcomes
• and requires quality assurance based on
  documented policies and systematic checking

Follow-up work awarded prize for Best Research
Paper at ALT-C 2005 E-learning conference
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Building On This Work

• Current work
• Develop general framework for addressing Web
  accessibility
• Build on existing best practices
• Allows for diversity
• User environments
• Technical developments (within W3C, other IT
  developments, other technologies e.g. Podcasting,
  mobile phones, )
• Context of use (information, learning, culture,
  )
• Blended accessibility
• Personalised solutions

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Tangram Model (1)

• Generic model
• W3C model has severe limitations

• This approach
• Encourages diversity of solutions
• Focus on 'pleasure' it provides to user

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Tangram Model (2)

• Model allows us to
• Focuses on end solution rather than individual
  components
• Provided solutions tailored for end user
• Doesn't limit scope (can you do better than WAI
  AAA?)
• Make use of automated checking but ensures
  emphasis is on user satisfaction

• Guidelines/standards for/from
• WAI
• Usability
• Organisational
• Dyslexic
• Learning difficulties
• Legal
• Management (resources, )
• Interoperability
• Accessibility metadata

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Relevance To Accessibility Metadata

• This approach
• Based on principle of "widening participation"
  rather than "universal accessibility"
• Acknowledges that there may be tensions and
  conflicts
• Provides a bigger picture for user and developer
  communities
• Puts WAI guidelines within the context of a
  bigger picture
• Shows how accessibility metadata relates to a
  bigger picture
• Is itself an example of a personalised / blended
  solution

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Discussion

• Questions., comments, etc. welcome