Though I’d consider myself a WordPress newbie, Accessibility is not unique to any one platform.
I remember well the many questions I had when I first started working with accessibility. As a developer since 1999 & working specifically with digital accessibility since 2007, I’ve learned firsthand that with proper awareness & planning, accessibility does not have to be complicated.
Speaking session
The 5 W’s of Accessibility Testing in the A11y track
Your Presentation
Accessibility testing is subjective by nature. In the context of right & wrong the reality is only 25 to 30% of content that can be confidently tested without conscious decision making.
Intended as an intro & general overview on testing, I’ll dive into reasons it’s necessary & the multiple factors that need to be considered. Participants will learn why some tools that are more suitable than others for certain tasks, walk thru a simple test plan & learn of resources to further their own learning after WordCamp Toronto 2014.
What do you want people to learn from your presentation?
The goal of this session is for people to leave equipped with a suite of free accessibility testing tools and the knowledge to apply them while performing their own accessibility testing reviews.
Why did you decide to speak?
Given that this years WordCamp theme is about accessibility, wanting to speak about the importance of digital accessibility to a new audience was a natural reaction.
What attracted you to WordPress in the first place?
I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I’m a WordPress rookie.
That said, I’m very excited by the presence of the WordPress Accessibility Team. These individuals are dedicated to continually making the WP platform better & it being a more inclusive experience for everyone. That is a beautiful thing.
What is your favourite plugin or theme, and why?
BotSmasher for WordPress by Joe Dolson.
Captchas are an unnecessary burden that create barriers for users of all types. IMO, they need to be eradicated with extreme prejudice.
What are you most looking forward to at WordCamp Toronto?
Any opportunity to spread awareness about digital accessibility excites me, but I’m really looking forward to meeting new people & soaking up as much knowledge as possible about WordPress. I’ve put it off for far too long.