Practical web accessibility

Error message

Deprecated function: Array and string offset access syntax with curly braces is deprecated in include_once() (line 14 of /home/mediacc/public_html/themes/engines/phptemplate/phptemplate.engine).

The importance of web accessibility

8 July 2012

Roberta: For people who are blind or vision impaired to effectively use the web, websites need to be designed with accessibility in mind. Today we are joined by Dr Scott Hollier, Western Australia’s Manager for Media Access Australia who will be talking about the importance of web accessibility, and some important changes and projects that are happening at the moment. Welcome Scott.

Scott:  Thanks Roberta, thanks for having me back.

Roberta: Now why is web accessibility so important?

Taxonomy: 
Practical web accessibility

Top of page

Google Maps make Sydney public transport directions accessible

no
Show on home page

Google and Transport New South Wales have teamed up to introduce Sydney public transport directions to the Google Maps app.  After testing, we can safely say that accessibility has been a key consideration in the feature’s development.

Media Access Australia staff tested the public transport option in the Google Maps app for iPhone and found it is accessible via the VoiceOver screen reader. This means people who are blind or vision impaired will now have greater access to information on Sydney’s trains, buses, ferries and light rail services when using the Google Maps app on the Apple iPhone.

Information that can be accessed through the public transport option on the Google Maps app includes:

Taxonomy: 
General
Blind or vision impaired
Digital technology
Web
News
Practical web accessibility
Digital media and technology: 
iOS
iPhone
Screen readers
VoiceOver
Smartphones
News alert taxonomy: 
Blind/vision impaired Digital Technology & Online Media news

Top of page

Introducing Access iQ: helping create a web without limits

no
Show on home page

Access iQ is Media Access Australia's new initiative. Launched today, the website is a hub for anyone who wants to learn how to make websites and applications accessible to users of all abilities. Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes joined Media Access Australia CEO Alex Varley in unveiling the project in front of media, industry leaders and disability advocates.

The Access iQ website provides resources aimed at equipping web professionals with knowledge to build websites which meet international accessibility guidelines. These resources are written by Access iQ’s own accessibility experts and a number of external contributors at the top of the development, design and usability fields.

Taxonomy: 
General
Digital technology
Web
News
Practical web accessibility
News alert taxonomy: 
Deaf/hearing impaired TV, DVD, Cinema & the Arts news
Blind/vision impaired Digital Technology & Online Media news
Practical Web Accessibility news

Top of page

The National Transition Strategy – is it on track?

The Australian government has been working hard over the past two years to ensure that all Federal and most state government websites meet the minimal Level 'A' requirement of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 by the end of this year. With six months to go, it's a good time to reflect on the progress to date and identify some potential issues that need to be addressed to help ensure the government reaches its target.

Taxonomy: 
Web
Practical web accessibility
Digital media and technology: 
National Transition Strategy
WCAG

Top of page

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Practical web accessibility