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Opinions Wanted: Advanced Web Accessibility Courses

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From: Kynn Bartlett
Date: Aug 4, 2002 11:07PM

Hi, the International Webmasters Association (nee HTML Writers Guild)
has been running our D201 course since 1998. The most common request
has been for advanced courses. These are a number of proposed classes
here that deal with Web accessibility issues. I'd like your feedback on
these brief descriptions.

If you have any comments, please send them to me at <EMAIL REMOVED> ;
I am particularly interested in suggestions such as whether or not you think
a certain course makes sense, if you'd be interested in taking it, or if you
could recommend an instructor. These are all in the draft stages, and this
is not an official announcement of any new IWA-HWG classes!

Thanks in advance,

--Kynn


D202 HTML Accessibility Techniques
Description: How do you use LONGDESC effectively? What do the
accessibility table tags really do? How can you create accessible
navigation and submission forms? This six-week course goes into
detail on the specific technical requirements for accessibility, with
sample code and programming assignments.
Pre-Requisites: D201 (Accessible Web Design), H101 (Introduction to
HTML), H151 (Introduction to CSS)
Objectives: Create accessible content, navigation, and forms.
Know how and when to use accessibility features of HTML and CSS. Be
able to successfully create or retrofit a site to WCAG Triple-A
accessibility standards.

D241 Web Access Policies Worldwide
Description: Many national, state, and local governments in the
U.S. have to comply with Web accessibility regulations, from the ADA
to Section 508. Laws have been adopted in Europe, Asia, Australia,
and elsewhere that mandate accessibility of Web content. How do these
laws affect you as a Web developer? Are you liable if your client's
site can't be used by people with disabilities?
Pre-Requisites: None
Objectives: Identify major policies and laws affecting Web
design. Know which laws directly affect the student. Describe and
evaluate site accessibility policies. Become knowledgeable of case
law relating to Web accessibility.

A135 Dreamweaver Accessibility
Description: Dreamweaver MX makes it easier and simpler to create
Web pages which can be used by people with disabilities. From
built-in accessible templates to third-party accessibility tools, the
options available in Dreamweaver MX make it the Web editor of choice
for Web developers concerned with accessibility. We will examine how
Dreamweaver MX can be used to meet accessibility requirements.
Pre-Requisites: A131 (Introduction to Dreamweaver), D201 (Accessible
Web Design)
Objectives: Know how to use the accessibility features of
Dreamweaver MX. Create content using Dreamweaver MX which satisfies
WCAG and Section 508 requirements. Identify and employ third-party
extensions which enhance accessibility.

D221 Web Evaluation Tools
Description: A number of evaluation tools exist which provide the
Web developer with information on the accessibility of her designs by
people with disabilities. This course will examine Bobby, LIFT, WAVE,
A-Prompt and other tools, and help you decide which are essential for
your Web designer's toolbox.
Pre-Requisites: D201 (Accessible Web Design)
Objectives: Know how to use all major evaluation and repair
tools. Identify the functions and limitations of each tool.

D242 Enterprise Web Accessibility
Description: You may know how to create an accessible HTML page,
but how does that translate into full accessibility across your
company? This course is designed for managers as well as technical
staff, and addresses the formulation of the support structures
necessary to ensure enterprise-wide attention to accessibility.
Pre-Requisites: D241 (Web Access Policies Worldwide)
Objectives: Identify the administrative structures necessary for
enterprise accessibility. Know the requirements for each job role and
task in enterprise accessibility. Create a plan for enterprise-wide
accessibility within your organization.

D261 Multimedia Accessibility
Description: Multimedia such as Flash, Quicktime, or RealVideo can
bring your Web site to life in a dynamic manner, but can also shut
out those users with special needs. Fortunately, there is hope -- you
don't have to discard your animation and sound, just make them more
accessible. This course covers Flash accessibility, Synchronized
Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) and more.
Pre-Requisites: A231 (Sites that Sizzle: Web Animation with Flash
4/5), D201 (Accessible Web Design)
Objectives: Identify the accessibility features and limitations
of popular multimedia formats. Know how to use the accessibility
features of Flash to produce accessible Flash animations. Learn how
to use SMIL to create synchronized media equivalents.

D262 Java Accessibility
Description: By using the Java foundation classes (Swing)
properly, nearly any Java application can be made accessible to
people with disabilities. This course covers using Swing effectively
to produce accessible applications.
Pre-Requisites: D201 (Accessible Web Design), experience with the Java language
Objectives: Identify the accessibility features of Swing which
promote access by people with disabilities. Write and retrofit
applications to provide information via the Java accessibility
classes. Install and configure the Java accessibility bridge.
Classification: This is an option class for the Web Accessibility
Course of Study, and an option class for the Web Programming Course
of Study.

D211 Web Accessibility Workshop
Description: This fun "boot camp" course takes you through the
entire process of conducting an accessibility evaluation on your Web
site and then implementing increased accessibility. Students must
have access to a site needing improvements in accessibility and
usability, and will evaluate their own sites as well as other
students'.
Pre-Requisites: D201 (Accessible Web Design)
Objectives: Identify accessibility problems in existing Web site.
Use testing tools and browsers to evaluate accessibility. Write a
formal accessibility report on findings. Implement accessibility
changes required. Evaluate other students' progress as well as your
own.

D281 Web Accessibility for Distance Learning
Description: This is a special topics class in Web accessibility,
specifically addressing distance learning sites. What are the
specific pitfalls that may trap unwary teachers offering their course
materials online? How can you ensure that all of your students have
equal access to the learning materials? This course addresses and
solves those problems with you.
Pre-Requisites: None
Objectives: Identify accessibility requirements for distance
learning. Understand techniques to remedy accessibility problems.
Provide solutions for distance learning participants who experience
access difficulties.

D282 Web Accessibility for eCommerce
Description: This is a special topics class in Web accessibility,
specifically addressing commercial Web sites. What are the
obligations to provide accessibility on your eCommerce Web site? What
challenges are specific to Web developers creating commercial sites?
How can you ensure that you aren't turning away customers who may
have disabilities? This course addresses and solves those problems
with you.
Pre-Requisites: None
Objectives: Understand the accessibility problems common to
eCommerce Web sites. Know how to resolve customer problems with
access. Define and implement an accessibility policy for an eCommerce
Web site.

--
Kynn Bartlett < <EMAIL REMOVED> > http://kynn.com
Chief Technologist, Idyll Mountain http://idyllmtn.com
Next Book: Teach Yourself CSS in 24 http://cssin24hours.com
Kynn on Web Accessibility ->> http://kynn.com/+sitepoint


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