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UK’s only Web 2.0 accessibility conference to promote industry-wide collaboration – 22nd September 2009
27/07/2009
The UK’s only dedicated event to focus on Web 2.0 accessibility issues this year invites everyone involved in the industry to look at the impact of web technology on disabled end users.
The second conference of its kind to be hosted by national disability and computing charity, AbilityNet, ‘Accessibility 2.0; a million flowers bloom’ features a panel of high profile industry personalities who will bring a wide range of interesting and controversial perspectives to the on-going discussions.
Part of a two-day event (see Editors’ notes below) including seminars, workshops, networking opportunities and the 2009 Access-IT Awards, ‘Accessibility 2.0’ is an unmissable opportunity to hear some of the key players in the industry.
Explains conference organiser, Kath Moonan, AbilityNet’s Senior Accessibility and Usability Consultant: “As our own research into social networking sites clearly shows, Web 2.0 is inaccessible to many end users who are therefore denied the huge potential and exciting opportunities it represents. Awareness is growing slowly amongst the developer community, but the mainstream social media websites have been slow to provide even basic access.
“As well as effectively imposing a technological ‘lock-out’ on those end users who use ‘non-standard’ hardware and software to access the Internet, providers of inaccessible web applications are also breaking the law.”
Last year’s conference prompted a number of groundbreaking developments such as Christian Heilmann’s creation of EasyYouTube – a YouTube player for people with learning disabilities which has been tremendously well received not least by school children, who find it a useful access method whether or not they have an additional access need.
Christian, developer/evangelist for Yahoo and a published expert on web development, has also produced EasySlideShare and EasyFlickr (accessible versions of the popular presentation and photography management sites). He will headline this year’s conference with a keynote address looking at ways to raise awareness of accessibility issues within the ‘techie’ community.
This year’s conference will include a rare UK appearance by Lisa Herrod, one of the world’s leading experts on Deaf user experience, discuss social networking. Whilst Henny Swan from the web browser, Opera, and BBC Ouch’s Damon Rose, will look at the advent of mobile internet access and the advantages and disadvantages it poses for those with additional access needs.
Developers will welcome Steve Faulkner’s contribution on ways to make web applications technically accessible and designers are well catered for by Mark Boulton, one of the world’s leading designers.
And from a legislative point of view, the panel will consider the new WCAG 2.0 guidelines, offering practical advice on how to effect a seamless transition.
Adds Kath: “’Accessibility 2.0’ has a pioneering approach to universal web accessibility which is both pragmatic and enthusiastic.”
“It’s early days for Web 2.0 and the social media it has facilitated – ‘Accessibility 2.0’ offers delegates a real chance to make the latest and greatest Web 2.0 sites a positive source of opportunity for all users - both now and into the future.”
For more information and to register for the event, to be held at Microsoft, London, please visit www.abilitynet.org.uk/accessibility2
22 July 2009
Editors’ notes
AbilityNet
AbilityNet is a charity that brings the benefits of computer technology to adults and children with all types of disabilities. AbilityNet offers a comprehensive range of services to disabled people, professionals, employers and statutory bodies. It provides free information and advice on any aspect of computer use by disabled people including individual assessment of technology needs, adapted computer equipment with full training and technical support, a programme of awareness education, and consultancy for employers on system and workstation adaptations, as well as website and software accessibility.
In 2008 AbilityNet consultants worked with nearly 7,500 disabled children and adults providing individual assessments, equipment, training sessions and home support visits. Over the past twelve months, in addition to this direct support, there were in excess of 851,000 visits to the AbilityNet website during which some 230,000 copies of AbilityNet’s on-line fact and skill sheets were downloaded. In addition, more than 204,000 end-users made use of the Charity’s on-line ‘My Computer My Way’ facility, enabling them to customise their computers to make them more accessible, productive and comfortable to use.
AbilityNet is dependent on grants, donations from and fund raising from charitable trusts, companies and individuals to carry out its work on behalf of disabled people and those who support them.
Access-IT
Building on the success of last year’s competition, ACCESS-IT is a unique two day event on 22nd and 23rd September 2009 featuring:
- The Access-IT 2009 award ceremony (23/09/2009)
- Demonstration stands of ACCESS-IT 2009 award finalists (23/09/2009)
- Workshop on ICT services for elderly to advance their independent living (23/9/2009)
- Workshop on ICT based accessible learning (23/09/2009)
- Networking in the area of Assistive Technology and e-Accessibility (23/09/2009)
- One Day Conference on Accessibility and Web 2.0 (22/09/2009)