The New Standard on Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 … Web, Office, InDesign, PDF
(GC Standard On Web Accessibility, W3C WCAG 2.0, AODA, Section 508) / “Web Accessibility Matters” course or keynote
Course Description
It used to be that the only way to comply with Web accessibility standards for persons with disabilities or difficulties was to publish content in HTML. One of the most exciting parts of the new Standard On Web Accessibility and WCAG 2.0 is that it has become feasible for you to choose PDF as the only container for certain content on your Web site … but only if you know how. We’ve worked with Adobe to put together this comprehensive and powerful course, where attendees walk away with immediately-applicable tips and techniques to make all their pages more accessible.
De-mystify how to make online or offline Web and PDF accessible whether your source is Word, Excel, Powerpoint, InDesign… or existing PDF!
Most adults suffer from some level of disability or difficulty that can be mitigated through accessible technologies. And when we design for the extremes, everyone benefits.
Not only will you comply with the standards (AODA, WCAG 2.0, Standard On Web Accessibility, Section 508, PDF/UA…): you’ll be broadening the audience for your content while enriching the experience of existing users.
Meet the new accessibility laws faster, and with no programming knowledge required. Broaden audiences, improve Google reach, while making sites accessible to all. Spend a day with David Berman, rated #1 on this topic in North America, and learn how to comply with new laws and WCAG 2.0 guidelines on access for disabilities.
Whether you are new to accessibility and WCAG, or already familiar with WCAG 1.0, you’ll learn immediately-applicable tips and techniques in this powerful accessibility course.
“Inspiring, engaging … techniques I can use.”
- Liv Stenersen, Government Administration Services, Oslo (Norway)
David Berman will convince you of why accessibility is important for everybody, then provide in-depth familiarity with federal and international guidelines that will help your Web and PDF content be a more effective resource for your entire audience. You’ll also gain familiarity with assistive technologies that help people with specific disabilities and difficulties.
Canada’s federal government led the world when it first introduced its accessibility-centric Common Look & Feel (CLF) policy, now replaced with its Standard On Web Accessibility and Standard on Web Usability. Our full-day course includes a thorough review of every pertinent standards that apply to accessible PDF, including other policies which call for WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA compliance (such as U.S. Section 508 and Ontario’s AODA). These new standards allow PDF to be your primary format, but only if your PDF is truly accessible … and that is poorly understood. We’ll cover everything from tables to charts to fillable forms and testing recommendations.
Finally, you’ll venture into where accessibility meets usability. Not only will you leave with ideas you can use right away, you may also gain a whole new attitude towards how technology can improve lives. By the end of the day you will not only be aware of why accessibility and standards affect everyone: you’ll be equipped with a thorough understanding of the best strategies to approach what needs to be done and how.
“Excellent… knowledge I can use.”
- Sandra Clark, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Oslo (Norway)
“Excellent… knowledge I can use.”
- Sandra Clark, Ministry of Trade and
Industry, Oslo (Norway)
“Focused and easy to follow.”
-Jason Hollett, gordongroup
“Great. He kept me listening and understanding.”
- Matthew Brunetti, Lixar IT
Each full-day participant leaves with a comprehensive 160+ page learning guide, detailing every relevant accessibility success criterion.
“Inspiring!”
- Morten Budeng, King Design
“Excellent.”
- Sylvie Nyman, Indian and Northern
Affairs Canada
What’s Wrong
Computer-mediated accessibility to information represents the greatest liberation in human history. Most people in our societies have some sort of physical or mental difficulty which can stand in the way of clear communication unless proper design steps are taken.
Although most professional Web developers now create their sites with an awareness of technical design issues such as browser incompatibilities and platform dependencies, they are still experiencing difficulties with emerging accessibility standards. Many Web sites continue to be designed based on assumptions that don’t address the specific needs of people with disabilities and difficulties and thus fail to deliver the promise of the Web to all users.
“Very good speaker – good sense of humour.”
- Johan Fong, House of Commons
“Entertaining.”
- Sjur Kristiansen, Telenor Telecommunications
Group
“Eye-opening. Love your method of teaching.”
- Jean Descrochers, National Research
Council
“I enjoyed it all.”
- Robert Hallat, Public Service Commission
“Right on target.”
- Marius Monsen, Reaktor ID
“He knows what to do!” “This will guide us for the AA Standards”
- Bassil Wehbe, Agriculture Canada
What Makes This Course Unique
Our course leader, David Berman, is a consultant on common look and feel implementation for large Web sites, and has worked on Web accessibility projects for many large organizations including Statistics Canada, the National Research Council, and IBM. He has been the project manager of numerous accessible Web projects, has developed strategy and design for CFIA, CRA, CMHC, Health Canada, Canadian Heritage, Industry Canada, and the International Space Station … as well as many private sector and non-profit organizations.
By addressing and understanding accessibility issues, Web developers can more effectively deliver their message to their whole audience, while complying with the legal and moral responsibilities, regardless of physical or mental impediment.
What You Will Learn
You will learn how to make your current sites more accessible by complying with current standards and guidelines. Specifically, you will learn:
First Half (morning of a full-day course)
- why accessibility matters to everyone, not just those with disabilities
- the major disabilities and challenges: what they are and how most of us have some level of difficulty that can be assisted by accessible design
- assistive technologies we can typically use to mitigate these issues
- examples of accessible multimedia
- how accessibility will help your bottom-line
- overview of regulations
Second Half (afternoon of a full-day course)
- W3C WCAG 2.0 guidelines
- current standards (AODA, Section 508, Canada’s Standard on Web Accessibility)
- specific technologies and design techniques used to satisfy accessibility concerns
- testing frameworks for accessibility issues
- how to make PDF files more accessible
- specific techniques to save money through accessible coding
- where accessibility meets usability
- draft standards on developing accessible PDF
- specific technologies and design techniques used to satisfy core PDF accessibility issues
- how to make PDF files more accessible
- understanding of how enterprise-wide document development processes can save money and time while automating PDF generation
- testing frameworks for PDF accessible
“Very good: made me think…”
- Bente Mollevik, Norwegian Savings Bank Association
“Great: very comprehensive. Touching on all aspects of accessibility.”
- Marc Iafelice, CFIA
“David really knows his topics. Very well done: got the point across in a way that can be apply to everyone.”
- Sean Strasbourg, CFIA
Goals
At the end of this event, you will:
- know many techniques you can apply right away to make content more accessible
- have a comprehensive understanding of W3C WCAG 2.0 and current government accessibility guidelines and how to meet them
- be able to make informed decisions as to what degree to comply with accessibility standards
- understand better the experience of those with disabilities using the Web, multimedia, and software apps
- know you’re doing the “right thing” by ensuring accessibility for all
“Excellent.”
- Steinar Sandum, Adax, Svelvik (Norway)
“Interesting content, really well delivered. Visual and engaging. Gives us a common language and approach.”
- Chris Cook, CFIA
“With no technical background, I understood and was interested in the entire session. This will change the way we work.”
- Sharon Drolet, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Typical Agenda for Full Day Course
9:00 to 10:15: PDF idealism, Why We Should Care, Deficits, Assistive Technologies
10:15 to 10:30: break
10:30 to 11:45: Overview of sustainable PDF, Section 508, AODA, and the new Standard on Web Accessibility, WCAG 2.0 Principle 1
11:45 to 12:45: lunch
12:45 to 14:15: WCAG 2.0 Principles 2 and 3 through the PDF lens
14:15 to 14:30: break
14:30 to 16:30: WCAG 2.0 Principles 4, QA tools for PDF, Beyond AA
What You Get
When David Berman Communications hosts this course*, regular ticket holders receive:
- a complimentary, comprehensive 160+ page learning guide, detailing every major accessibility guideline (also available separately for $89 with optional 1-on-1 distance coaching)
- complimentary meals, snacks and beverages throughout
- the option to attend this course again in the future, as a refresher, at no additional cost
- the option to attend the first half on one date and the second half at a future date
(*If you are attending one of our courses hosted by another organization, confirm which of these items apply.)
Prerequisites: None (no programming experience required)
Berman speaks on accessibility in Oslo, Norway
“Clear and entertaining: will allow more strategic planning rather than just reactionary stumbling.”
- Steve Doody, Justice Canada
“This will make us better communicators.”
- Luc Bergeron, SSHRC
“Perfect.”
- Jean Leclair, Environment Canada
“Loved the examples. David is very engaging and knowledgeable facilitator. His passion is obvious. Will help me better evangelize.”
- Patrick Dunphy, CBC
“Excellent: very engaging speaker.”
- Jean-Marc Mondoux, Elections Canada
About the Expert Speaker
David Berman is the principal of David Berman Communications. He has over 25 years of experience in graphic design and strategic communications.
David was appointed a high-level advisor to the United Nations on how universal design and accessible IT can help fulfill the Millennium Development Goals more rapidly.
He is a member of the ISO standards committee on accessible PDF documents.
His book (Do Good Design, Pearson/Peachpit, 2009) about how design can be used to create a more just world speaks about universal design and accessibility, and is now available in 4 languages, as well as Braille.
He has worked extensively in adapting the printed word for electronic distribution, including software interface development.
He has much experience as a senior consultant in applying accessibility and standards to government Web sites, as well as to private sector clients such as IBM and the Bank of Montreal, both as a strategist and compliance testing/coaching leader. He regularly teaches accessibility principles as part of his professional development workshops, and developed custom workshops for the National Research Council and Ontario’s largest school board. His plain writing, design, and accessibility work include award-winning projects for the City of Ottawa, the Ontario government, and Canada’s federal government. Clients include Justice Canada, Canada Revenue Agency, Health Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Region of Ottawa-Carleton and the Ontario Literacy Coalition.
David’s opinions have been featured in the Financial Post, the Globe And Mail, the Ottawa Citizen, the Montreal Gazette, Marketing, Applied Arts, HOW, and Communication Arts magazines, as well as ABC and CBS.
David ranks #1 on speakerwiki.org on this topic for a reason. His arc as an internationally-celebrated expert speaker has brought him to over 30 countries. He is a National Professional Member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) and the Global Speakers Federation (GSF).
David is currently Ethics Chair of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, was named a Fellow (the highest professional honour for graphic designers in Canada) in 1999, and has served as a director and sustainability chair of Icograda, the world body for graphic and communications design.
Guest Presenters
David will often include guest subject matter experts within a full-day course. For instance, in 2011 he has been joined by:
- Jeff Braybrook (CEO, Blueprint), former Deputy Chief Technology Officer for the Government of Canada, and responsible for CLF
Who Should Attend
This course is targeted to all project managers, Webmasters, production coordinators, programming leaders, strategists, and controllers, involved in developing Web or other new media projects.
- senior departmental officials
- chief information officers
- heads of communication
- Web managers
- Web functional specialists
- people who need to get their Web site compliant with current and future government and/or W3C WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards
- people who manage or plan Web sites
- people who coordinate people who build Web sites
- people who design or program Web sites
- people who represent clients who hire others to develop Web sites
- people involved in: Web project management, analysis, architecture, interaction design, graphic design, prototyping, writing, development, quality control
- developers of online applications, games, mobile apps
This course delivers all the knowledge required for Level A and Level AA awareness training as documented in the Government of Canada’s Accessibility Responsibility Breakdown (WCAG 2.0).