[community] Free webinar: Making Library Computers and Browsers Automatically Adapt to Users who have Trouble Using Them

[Mark Weiler]

An invitation to you...
I'm part of a Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) community of practice through the Canadian Association of Professional Academic Librarians (CAPAL).  We're hosting a public webinar for Global Accessibility Awareness Day and wanted to extend the invitation to the Inclusive Design Community.  
 

“Making Library Computers and Browsers Automatically Adapt to Users who have Trouble Using Them”

Presented by Gregg Vanderheiden (PhD), Professor in the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland.

 

When:  May 17th at 1:30pm (EST)

FREE

Abstract:

University and college libraries are trying to support students of all ages and abilities including a surprisingly large number who have invisible cognitive, language, and learning (CLL) disabilities. Although many think of accessibility as just for people with disabilities, there are many strategies that can make computers easier to use that are more subtle — and that can be useful to all users.  The goal is to allow anyone to sit down to any computer they encounter and have the computer automatically be easier for them to use — in a way that is seamless and discreet. This includes those with visible disabilities and those that have trouble for any reason.  New developments hold promise not only for the development of better accessibility and usability strategies, but, as importantly, ways to make it possible to have the features people need show up instantly on any computer — in a way that does not add to librarian loads.  This presentation will discuss and demonstrate some of the new tools being introduced to help make it easier to create and use solutions for this diverse group.

 

Check out the video “Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure” for a brief overview of Gregg’s talk. Keep in mind Gregg will cover more on its use with cognitive, language, and learning disabilities.

 

Biography:

Gregg Vanderheiden has worked in the area of technology and disability for over 45 years and has been pioneer in cross-disability access to ICT of all types.  His work can be found in Apple, Microsoft and IBM operating systems, phones, Automated Postal Stations, Amtrak ticket machines, and airport terminals. He co-chaired WCAG 1.0 and 2.0 working groups, and has worked with over 50 companies and government advisory & planning committees on issues of accessibility.  He received his Ph.D. in Technology in Communication Rehabilitation and Child Development, an interdisciplinary degree between the departments of Electrical Engineering, Communicative Disorders, Rehabilitation Psychology & Special Education and Educational Psychology, from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. For a more detailed biography on Dr. Vanderheiden, please visit his staff biography page at the University of Maryland.  

 

Who should attend?

Anyone interested in better serving patrons with both visible and invisible disabilities.

 

Registration

Registration is now open to everyone. We recognize that this topic can seem overwhelming, and as such we will provide registered attendees with a primer to introduce major concepts and issues of WCAG 2.0.

 

Please register through the form available at Register for Global Accessibility Awareness Day Webinar.

 

While anyone can register for the webinar, spots are limited and CAPAL members will be given priority.

 

About the CAPAL community of practice

The Canadian Association of Professional Academic Librarians (CAPAL)’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines community of practice meets via Skype monthly. We study and discuss the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (2.0) to increasing our ability to implement them. While the technical nature of this document can be challenging for most, the group aims to serve as a place where we can navigate these guidelines together and work towards developing WCAG informed solutions to meet the challenges academic libraries face.