Websavvy-Access provides a number training opportunities to help both technical and non-technical audiences understand and develop expertise in Web accessibility. For more information about workshops, and their availability, use the Contact Us form, mentioning the workshop and the audience attending.

1. Understanding Web Accessibility

Fee: Free

Location: online http://courses.idrc.ocad.ca

This course may be taken anonymously, but to get the full benefit, including assessments, exercises, and forum interactions, register an account and login.

Audience: Both technical and non-technical audiences may take the course. Aimed at those involved in developing Web content or Web applications, and at decision makers who need to know about or plan accessibility in ICT.

Objectives: To have people understand the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0), the basis for the AODA ICT accessibility requirements, to experience barriers firsthand, and to come away with a variety of strategies that address potential accessibility problems.

Topics Addressed:

• WCAG 2 Guidelines in laymen terms.
• What accessibility barriers look like (and feel like)
• Ways to avoid creating barriers (technical strategies)
• Addressing usability (accessible does not necessarily mean usable)

2. Online Accessibility for People with Disabilities | An Overview of Assistive Technologies and Barriers in Web Content

Duration: 3 hours including a 20 minute break

Fee: $1500 (for up to 25 seats)

Location: Inclusive Design Research Centre - 205 Richmond St. W, 2nd Floor, Toronto

Objective: To have people leave the workshop with a basic non-technical understanding of what is meant by “accessibility of information systems for people with disabilities” and how it can be achieved.

Audience: non-technical, management, policy makers, analysts, operational staff who are working on information management development projects.

Topics Addressed:

• Overview of how persons with disabilities may use computers.
• Understanding a range of assistive devices and how they are used.
• Identifying barriers in information systems – what they look like and how they impact people with disabilities.
• Discussion on how websites and online applications can be made accessible in non-technical terms.
• Opportunity for hands-on experience with a variety of assistive devices used by people with disabilities to operate computers.

3. Online Accessibility for People with Disabilities: Strategies for a Technical Audience

Duration: 2.5 hours including a 15 minute break

Fee: $1000 (for up to 25 seats)

Location: Inclusive Design Research Centre - 205 Richmond St. W. 2nd Floor, Toronto

Objective: To have people leave the workshop with a good understanding of W3C WCAG 2.0 Level AA (AODA ICT) requirements, and how conformance is a achieved.

Audience: Information technology staff responsible for website and system development.

Topics Addressed:

• Overview of W3C WCAG standards and other Web content or application development considerations to ensure accessibility and usability for persons with disabilities.
• Considering range of technology and technical abilities.
• Demonstrations of how to make Web content and applications accessible.
• Overview of accessibility auditing (automated and manual).
• Key problem areas and common mistakes in meeting accessibility standards compliance.
• Tools for troubleshooting accessibility problems.
• Question and Answer Session.
• Demo accessibility audit (time permitting).