Is it accessible Choosing and using software titles

1
Is it accessible? Choosing and using software
titles

• BETT 2007
• Adrian Higginbotham
• David ColvenTim Dumbleton

2
What are accessibility and usability?

• Accessibility
• The ability to access and control - but it is
  not necessarily efficient.
• Usability
• A flexible, efficient and adaptable user
  interface.

3
Adapting mainstream software

• What accessibility / usability is required?
• What is adaptable software?
• Adding utilities to overcome barriers
• Motor
• Sight
• Hearing
• Language
• Cognitive.

4
The reasonable adjustment project

• History
• Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
• Special Educational Needs and Disability Act
  (Senda)
• Web standards W3C / WAI
• Other standards
• Not a new standard
• Prioritising standards
• Scope
• Aims and outcomes
• Outline and practical guides for developers
• Software choice and adaptation techniques for
  practitioners
• Clear legal interpretation
• Standards mapping.
• Current status

5
The headline guides

• Enable system accessibility
• High contrast and large text configurations
• Clear, uncluttered user interface
• Keyboard access to all functions
• Alt texts for all images (static and moving)
• Compatibility with assistive technology
• Alternatives to mouse drag
• Sound descriptors
• Simple language.

6
What should you look for?

• Labelling
• What do you need?
• By access method
• By user needs.
• Where should this information be?
• On the packet
• On suppliers catalogues and websites
• On another central website
• Tagging.
• Recommendations

7
Quality principles for digital learning resources

• Consistent statements about what typifies quality
  digital learning resources.
• Quality principles about digital resources in use
  (pedagogic).
• Quality principles about creating digital
  resources (design).
• Promote accessibility as integral to good design
  and communication
• accessibility is not simply a technical issue.
• http//www.becta.org.uk/partners/qualityprinciples
  
• http//www.becta.org.uk/industry/content