2017 Talks
This page has information on the 15 talks at this year's camp which will give you a feel of what to expect during the day. The schedule is now live.
Track A
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) for Beginners
Abstract
A simple explanation for beginners of the four Principals, Twelve (plus) Guidelines, Success Criteria of WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and what all those numbers mean. Also helpful to those seeking a simple way to explain WCAG to others.
Hosted by: Kristian McManus
Secret sauce of successful accessibility squads: The A11y Camp Bay Area Edition
Abstract
This panel had such high interest at a recent A11yBay Meetup that it's being brought to camp. Join Salesforce's Cordelia McGee-Tubb in conversation with: Facebook's Jesse Beach, Carrie Farber from Walmart Global eCommerce, and Julio Feliciano with SF State University who will share how they make digital accessibility work with limited resources.
Hosted by:
The Cognitive Consumer: Accessibility, inclusion, and return on investment
Abstract
In 2015, the prevalence of cognitive disability in the United States reached nearly 30 million. This community includes intellectual and developmental disability; severe, persistent mental illness; Alzheimer’s; stroke; and brain injury. As a growing user group there is a great necessity to understand their needs, barriers to technology use and strategies toward inclusion in the development and design of new products and services.
Hosted by: Shea Tanis, Ph.D.
Designing for People with Cognitive Limitations
Abstract
Cognitive limitations are very diverse, and evaluative research is sparse, but there is useful design guidance. Extra hard work on traditional usability is in order, as problems that are just annoying for some users can become show stoppers for users whose ability to understand and recover from problems is limited. Extra attention to readability also pays off.
Hosted by: Clayton Lewis, Ph.D.
Including People with Cognitive Limitations in the Development Lifecycle
Abstract
Addressing accessibility is often left to the end of development lifecycles which limits the ability for developers to include a wider range of user needs. This disproportionately impacts people with cognitive limitations as design recommendations often require fundamental consideration in earlier design phases. Partnering with people with cognitive limitations, their families, and caregivers earlier and throughout design and development can lead to more cognitively accessible software.
Hosted by: Jeffery Hoehl
Track B
Visual Tracking Issues in an Increasingly Mobile World
Abstract
Visual tracking challenges make reading difficult for readers with many common physical and cognitive differences. Learn about some of the tensions and tradeoffs related to text layout, as well as some digital-first technologies aiming to assist with visual tracking for readers of all kinds.
Hosted by: Nick Lum
Interactive maps: How do you make them accessible?
Abstract
Interactive maps are notoriously difficult to make accessible: in fact when it comes to accessibility for people with vision impairments, often it is assumed that maps cannot be made accessible. Gian Wild talks about the requirements for a fully accessible interactive map and how it can be accessible for all people with disabilities.
Hosted by: Gian Wild
Looking for buttons and switches on Hardware: a day in a life of a blind user
Abstract
In this semi-formal talk we will explore existing accessibility issues in everyday hardware appliances and some amazing ways in which some of them are being addressed. Videos of real-life situations will be shown and challenges and solutions will be opened up for discussion with audience.
Hosted by:
UX Research for Accessibility: Strategies and Lessons Learned
Abstract
We'll discuss strategies for running user studies with participants who have disabilities and focus on the major blockers to conducting this type of research: identifying and recruiting participants, methodologies that works with assistive tech, and how to position findings for maximum impact with your stakeholders.
This is intended to be a participatory session, and I welcome comments and feedback from other practitioners. Let's share some best practices!
Hosted by: Chris Langston
Testing, It's Not Only A Tool's Job
Abstract
If your company is thinking about acquiring an enterprise accessibility testing tool, this session is for you. Learn what the testing tools do, and what your team needs to know about the tools. Also learn what problems can be found with such tools, including false positives and access to the tools themselves.
Hosted by: Lucy Greco
Track C
How Accessibility UX testing touches emotions and motivates digital teams to do better
Abstract
How our accessibility usability study findings raised awareness so that our designers, developers and product owners were personally touched and motivated to implement better, more accessible customer experiences. This includes the importance of thematic video compilations where participants articulate the same needs and concerns that Accessibility specialists advocate for.
Hosted by: Judith Blankman
Accessibility Testing or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Ignore The WCAG
Abstract
A common mistake made by those new to accessibility testing is over applying WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). Even though some Success Criteria mention explicit exceptions, they're easy to ignore or forget they even exist. Knowing when not to apply the accessibility guidelines is just as important as knowing when to apply them. This talk will give an overview of the exceptions in WCAG and provide some examples of when they don't apply.
Hosted by: Luis Garcia
Virtual and Augmented Reality Uses and Challenges for People with Disabilities
Abstract
In this semi-formal conversation we will explore current exciting uses of VR and AR for people with different types of disabilities. Then we will discuss the challenges for making VR and AR more accessible and the opportunities for the near-mid future.
Hosted by: Christopher Patnoe
Crafting Accessible UX in Single Page Apps
Abstract
Building accessible single-page webapps is particularly challenging due to the interactive, visual-centric and dynamic nature of these apps.
In developing the upcoming version of Turnitin's document viewer webapp—a single-page app centered around a document with multiple visual layers of information—we sought out to create an accessible user experience for screen readers that parallels the interactivity and information-rich experience for sighted users.
We will be presenting our learnings from this months-long process involving multiple prototypes and user testing to validate and refine the accessible user experience, and utilizing conventional and unconventional techniques to optimize the accessible user experience of this app.
Hosted by: James Chao
iOS Accessibility Essentials
Abstract
This session is for anyone who already has a background in iOS development and who wants to make their apps accessible. Using UI patterns developed by Deque as examples, Chris will walk through common iOS interactions and how to make these accessible to users with different disabilities. Chris will also spend the briefest of time discussing Deque's automated accessibility testing products for mobile.
Hosted by: Chris McMeeking