Peach is the Online Communications Coordinator at Media Access Australia and joined the organisation in June of this year.
What have been a few of the highlights of 2010 for you in accessibility?
The last six months has been packed full of exciting developments in accessibility. From the cinema announcement, to President Obama’s signing of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act on October 8, to the most recent and critical in Australia, the release of the Media Access Review. Perhaps for me the biggest highlight would have been my involvement in Media Access Australia’s brand review conducted over the last few months.
Having the chance to be involved in some of the focus groups with individuals who are blind and vision impaired, Deaf and hearing impaired was an emotive and hands-on way of appreciating the significance of the work done by Media Access Australia.
The end of 2010 has seen us working towards merging our current websites www.audiodescription.com.au and www.mediaaccess.org.au to create a new and improved parent site. The website will be launched in early 2011 and the fantastic thing about it is that it will exhibit all the bells and whistles of an interesting and contemporary multi-media platform, while adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.0 Level AA.
2010 has seen a massive increase in our Twitter followers, Facebook friends and newsletter subscribers, giving us the chance to keep all our friends and colleagues around the world up to date with the latest and greatest in accessibility. I am really looking forward to where we can take this in 2011.
What was one of the challenges faced in your area in 2010?
As has been mentioned by my colleagues throughout our 12 Days of Access, one of the biggest challenges really has been keeping up with advances in technology.
Things change so rapidly in the digital space and it is always a challenge keeping on top of what is the hottest trend and how we can maintain accessibility to that trend and other media.
How do you see accessibility improving in 2011?
2011 looks to be a marvellous year in access around the world. Governments such as those of Colombia, Canada, the USA and Australia are beginning to acknowledge the importance of access, and are actually starting to enforce changes that will make the ultimate difference to the lives of people with disabilities.
In Australia the two most significant changes will be as a result of the Australian Federal Government announcement that all Government websites will need to meet international accessibility standards by 2015, and of course the progressive recommendations from the Media Access Review.
What’s your top pick for a gift with accessible features this festive season?
For a great accessible gift I would have to suggest a wonderful night at the opera in Melbourne. Victorian Opera have just announced that both Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Britten’s Albert Herring will be audio described in 2011.
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