I came across digital accessibility while completing my IT diploma a few years back. Where we need to create a user manual for a device. Accessibility does not only cover the physical need but is completely important for web accessibility as well. Specifically, the current time when everything is operating online. We cannot leave people who have special needs.
As an educationist for me, digital accessibility is like a differentiation of our teaching and learning where we always consider and design the customize teaching resources and assessments for the trainees with difficult learning or disability.
For digital accessibility, we must ensure to use heading and hyperlinks. Apart from that high-quality images, video, and audio present content and accessibility using different devices like keyboard, mouse, or touchpad.
In this blog, I would like to discuss the 4 principles of digital accessibility supporting with about 2 minutes videos about each principle.
- Perceivable
- Operable
- Understandable
- Robust
Perceivable means that information must be present in such a way that it is easily used by others. For instance, providing text alternatives for any non-text content.
Operable refers to that there must be no action or interaction that the user cannot perform. For example, the web page must be easy to navigate.
Understandable means content must be readable, and the web page must be predictable and help users to correct any errors.
Robust means providing maximum compatibility with current and future user agents.
References:
Assistance, I. (2021). Digital Accessibility | Minnesota Council On Disability. Minnesota Council On Disability. Retrieved from https://www.disability.state.mn.us/information-and-assistance/digital-accessibility/
Barclays Corporate Banking. (2018, May 15). POUR Principles – Robust | Accessibility Explainer [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM-u_CQGhMY
Barclays Corporate Banking. (2018, May 15). POUR Principles – Robust | Accessibility Explainer [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz-6M890Bdg
Barclays Corporate Banking. (2018, May 15). POUR Principles – Robust | Accessibility Explainer [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtA21Whl7bI
Barclays Corporate Banking. (2018, May 15). POUR Principles – Robust | Accessibility Explainer [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gipxl19X-VI
2021-10-03 at 6:16 pm
Great post, Anum!
Thanks for the videos about the POUR principles, they helped to reinforce my learning! I also think it’s great that you’ve come across creating accessible education resources during your diploma and experiences.
I also wonder if the pandemic shined a spotlight on digital accessibility because everything was moved to being online? It’s a shame that some online resources (eg: Zoom conferences) will no longer be supported as we return to in-person events again. Many disability advocates/activists have mentioned they will be losing access to events because the online versions will no longer be used.
Tyanna 🙂
2021-10-18 at 3:37 pm
Hi Tayanna,
Yes, I agree with you the effective use of educational technology can be considered as an advantage during COVID pandemic. Anyways it depends on the educational institutions and decision-makers whether they will continue using some platform even when we will be switching to 100 % face-to-face classes. Personally, I prefer these digital platforms as they made our life easier.
Thanks,
Anum
2021-10-03 at 7:06 pm
Hi Anum!
I really enjoy reading your post! Thanks for all the videos that you shared, really help me understanding. Digital accessibility allows for fair accessibility to technology as well as the ability to use it in order to enhance the learning process for everyone, gives the opportunity of the same education for every student via technology.
Yinghao
2021-10-18 at 3:39 pm
Hi Yinghao,
Thanks for the feedback. I am glad that my post is beneficial for you.
Thanks,
Anum
2021-10-04 at 12:26 am
Hi Anum!
I appreciate your four videos. I was able to grasp the four principles with more detail. Your experience of completing IT diplomat must have taught you a number of things regarding the topic this week.
I honestly still can not understand why hyperlink is significant in this week’s topic as they do not really have much connections to people with disadvantage. What do you think about the relationship between digital accessibility and SDGs, the blueprint created by WHO? Anyways, thank you for sharing your thoughts and extra source.
Atomu
2021-10-18 at 3:50 pm
Hi Atomu,
Thanks for the feedback. Indeed I can link my prior knowledge with this topic very well.
About hyperlinks, I just want to add that it saves to repeat the data thus improve the usability and accessibility of the content. For instance, see in my above post I added extra detail using hyperlinks just imagine if I need to explain the term here the whole blog post can not stay on the topic right?
Thanks,
Anum
2021-10-04 at 2:20 am
Hi Anum,
Excellent metaphor on digital accessibility! But I think would it be better if the POUR principles are rooted in everyone’s mind so that people with disabilities will be able to access to the web as freely as we do? And in that case, people will not need to customize or specially design for anyone as every one will have the same digital accessibility. But there is still a long way to go and it depends on everyone’s effort!
Looking forward to your next post!
Qing
2021-10-18 at 3:51 pm
Hi Qing,
Thank you for taking the time and reading my blog post.
Your thoughts are strong and very deep. I am optimistic it will happen in the future.
Thanks,
Anum
2021-10-05 at 1:17 am
Hey Anum,
Nice post, I like especially the metaphor you added into your blog really great connection, and to tie all the principles and help me understand the subject more with the pour principles and the site sources was really beneficial. Keep up the good work
Saelex
2021-10-18 at 3:53 pm
Hi Salex,
Thank you for reading the post and give me positive feedback.
I am happy that my post is helpful for you.
Thanks,
Anum
2021-10-05 at 11:52 am
Hi Anum,
Great post and great use of Multimedia. Thanks for sharing the POUR Videos, they definitely helped me grasp a better understanding of the concepts. I find it amazing how you came across digital accessibility during your diploma. This is the first time I’m learning about digital accessibility, which is disappointing because I come from a computer science background and I’m In my first year. I think more emphasis should be given to the topic, especially as everything has shifted online since the start of the pandemic.
Great Job!
Looking forward to your next post!
-Musab
2021-10-18 at 3:59 pm
Hi Musab,
Thank you for the feedback and for sharing your experience.
Yes, I agree with you but it is fine you may cover something during your studies which I missed. It all depends on the course outline, units, and syllabus that was delivered to us. Indeed it’s a vital topic and I am happy that we covered this in our course.
Thanks,
Anum
2021-10-09 at 9:22 am
Hi Anum,
Thanks for explaining more about the accessibility. You used an excellent example and let me clearly understand what accessibility is and how we can provide better accessible resources to those who need it.
2021-10-18 at 4:00 pm
Hi Rickylin,
Thanks for the feedback and for taking the time to read my post.
Thanks,
Anum
2021-12-01 at 8:06 pm
Hi Anum,
Nice blog! I really enjoy reading your blog, the videos you choose are very suitable for the content. The page layout is clean and I like the way you explain accessibility, good examples!
Jun Yang