WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

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Re: Accessibility training and certifications

for

From: Hoffman, Allen
Date: Dec 6, 2010 10:12AM

The real issue with this is if you are attempting to demonstrate:
Conformance with coding practices designed to ensure that assistive
technologies "should" work because the information they need is
provided;
Or
If a list of screen readers, and a list of those associated
functions work with a set of identified content;

the second description is really limited in scope interoperability
testing for a combination of products at a specific point in time, not a
test for coding which works, based upon specific definition of
functionality.

I don't know of any certifications which are widely accepted for the
first description, but the NFB certification is in use for the second
description. For anyone hiring people to do such "accessibility"
assessments, there are some key concepts required for applicants which
lead to a conclusion about their fitness for the task:

Understanding of basic HTML and CSS coding practices and principles;
Understanding and experience applying Section 508 and/or WCAG 2.0
standards and guidelines to Websites, Web applications, and occasionally
to non-HTML content;
Understanding of, and experience with Web coding inspection tools;
Understanding of, and experience with, formalized assessment and
reporting procedures;
Understanding and experience with how assistive technologies, including
screen readers, screen magnifiers, and speech input systems operate;

I hope this helps.