Accessible development for apps and mobile sites

Mobile for WCAG 2, AODA, ACA, Revised Section 508 course

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Course Description

Our courses incorporate adult learning principles and activities appropriate to a variety of learning styles: they qualify for continuing education credits (aka CEUs) certified by organizations such as IAAP and PPAC.

PLEASE NOTE: When we present this topic in a public course, it is part of our comprehensive course that ALSO include accessible browser-based experiences; when we present it for your organization we can make it exclusively about accessible mobile: you’re choice!

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 to deliver an accessible as the only container for certain content on your Web site … but only if you know how. We’ve put together this comprehensive and powerful course, where attendees walk away with immediately-applicable tips and techniques to make apps and sites for iPhone, Android, Windows, and Blackberry accessible for those with disabilities while improving them for everyone at the same time!

We’ll de-mystify how to make your mobile presence (both apps and sites) accessible whether your audience is on iOS (iPhone, iPad), Android, Windows Surface/Phone, or Blackberry. Sometimes the best way to provide content in an accessible format is to choose mobile, whether to reduce costs, broaden audience, or to share knowledge and processes more effectively.

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 (WCAG 2, AODA, ADA, EU, ACA, Standard On Web Accessibility, Section 508, …): you’ll be broadening the audience for your content while enriching the experience of existing users.

“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 and best practices for your mobile content. You’ll also gain familiarity with assistive technologies and mobile components that help people with specific disabilities and difficulties.

Our full-day course includes a thorough review of every pertinent standards that apply to accessible mobile, including other policies which call for WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA compliance (such as Ontario’s AODA and the upcoming revision to U.S. Section 508). Canada’s federal government led the world when it first introduced its accessibility-centric Common Look & Feel (CLF) policy, and is now pioneering again with its new Standard on Optimizing Websites and Applications for Mobile Devices. These new standards allow mobile to be included within your primary format, but only if your apps are truly accessible … and that is often poorly understood.

Not only will you leave with secrets and techniques you can implement 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 what needs to be done and how, including tools and testing techniques. Each full-day participant leaves with a comprehensive 160+ page learning guide, detailing every relevant accessibility success criterion.

This course incorporates adult learning principles and activities appropriate to a variety of learning styles, and qualifies for CEUs (certified by organizations such as PPAC).

“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

“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 Web communication unless proper design steps are taken. And by the end of 2013, more humans had a smartphone than a computer.

Mobile is recognized as a legitimate primary format for accessible publishing, and so there’s a need for people to understand what constitutes sufficiently-accessible mobile apps, and the steps to get there with the least expense and effort. Although most professional developers now create content with some awareness of browser incompatibilities and platform dependencies, they still experience difficulties with emerging accessibility standards.

“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

What Makes This Course Unique

Our course leader, David Berman, is a consultant on accessible for large IT projects, and has worked on Web accessibility projects for many large organizations including Statistics Canada, the National Research
Council, and IBM.

He is a high-level advisor to the United Nations on how accessible IT can help fulfill the Millennium Development Goals more rapidly.

He has been the project manager of numerous accessible Internet 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, publishers can more effectively deliver their message to their entire audience, regardless of physical or mental impediments, while complying with legal and moral responsibilities.

“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 You Will Learn

You will learn how to make your current communications more accessible by complying
with emerging 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 and mobile, tablets, and touch
• how accessibility will help your bottom-line
• overview of regulations

Second Half (afternoon of a full-day course)

• all pertinent W3C WCAG 2 Level A and Level AA success criteria pertinent to smartphones, tablets, and touch
• how WCAG 2.1 specifically targets better UX for all
• draft standards on applying WCAG success criteria to mobile and apps
• specific technologies and design techniques used to satisfy mobile accessibility issues without compromising the user experience of all users
• understanding of how enterprise-wide document development processes can be improvement to support mobile publishing
• testing and quality assurance tools and tips for mobile

“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 mobile content more accessible
• have a comprehensive understanding of the pertinent W3C WCAG 2 and current government accessibility policies,
  and how to meet them
• be able to make informed decisions as to which content should go mobile
• be able to make informed decisions as to when to go native vs. cross-platform for app development
• understand better the experience of those with disabilities using mobile devices
• 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

“This will change the way we work.”

– Sharon Drolet, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Typical Agenda for Full Day Course

9:00 to 10:15: Mobile idealism, Why We Should Care, Deficits, Assistive Technologies

10:15 to 10:30: break

10:30 to 11:45: Overview of sustainable mobile development, AODA, Section 508, 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 mobile lens

14:15 to 14:30: break

14:30 to 16:30: WCAG 2.0 Principles 4, QA tools for mobile, 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 applicable accessibility standard (also
  available separately for $97, with optional 1-on-1 distance coaching)
• complimentary meals, snacks and beverages throughout
• a thirty-minute one-on-one personal coaching tele-session with David within a month
• 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
• a money-back guarantee: if, after coaching and refresher, you don’t think you’ve got your money’s worth, we’ll refund your entire fee

(*If you are attending one of our courses hosted by another organization, confirm which of these items apply.)

Register (at https://davidberman.com/register ) or call 1-613-728-6777… or bring this event to your site: for a keynote, half-day, or full-day event, customized for your group.

Prerequisites: None

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

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. He has worked extensively in adapting the printed word for electronic
distribution, including software interface development.

David was appointed a high-level advisor to the United Nations on how design and accessible IT can help fulfill the Millennium Development Goals more rapidly.

He has extensive experience as a senior consultant in applying accessibility and standards to government Web sites, as well as to private sector clients such as IBM, both as a strategist and compliance testing leader. He regularly teaches accessibility principles as part of his professional development workshops, and developed a custom two-day workshop for the National Research Council on common look and feel. 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 IBM, Justice Canada, HRDC, Canada Revenue Agency, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Region of Ottawa-Carleton and the Ontario Literacy Coalition.

David has 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 CBC.

In addition to operating as one of the leading design strategists in Canada’s capital, 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. David 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 the past year he has been joined by:

Who Should Attend

This course is targeted to all project managers, Webmasters, production coordinators, IT professionals, strategists, and controllers, involved in developing mobile applications.

• senior departmental officials
• chief information officers
• heads of communication
• Web managers
• Web functional specialists
• people who need to get their mobile sites and apps compliant with current and future government accessibility standards
• people who manage or plan Web sites and electronic publishing
• 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: IT project management, analysis, architecture, interaction design, graphic design, prototyping, writing, development, quality control
• developers of online applications, games, mobile apps

This course delivers knowledge required for EN 301 549, WCAG 2.0 and WCAG 2.1 Level A and Level AA awareness training as documented in the Government of Canada’s Accessibility Responsibility Breakdown as well as current Treasury Board policy and evolving Accessible  Standards Canada standards.

Language:

English (French available upon request)

Duration:

One-day course, half-day course, or keynote presentation (we also provide this course customized on-site for your organization).

Experience

Web accessibility

We are experts in the fulfillment of WCAG, AODA, and Section 508 requirements regarding accessible documents and Web publishing. We have performed accessibility audit and review for Tim Berners-Lee’s World Wide Web Foundation, on both government and business Web sites in each of over 40 countries.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

We have expert knowledge in all relevant requirements of the accessibility standards called for in the regulations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).

We are experts in the fulfillment of AODA regulations regarding accessible documents and Web publishing. Our strength in this area is such that we run regular courses in Ontario that specifically teach executives, managers, educators, content developers, and Web programmers how to comply with AODA regulations. The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario itself (who governs AODA) has repeatedly sent their managers and staff to be trained personally by us.

Ontario municipalities and school boards

Our AODA clients for consulting and training have included a variety of municipalities and public institutions in Ontario (including the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, City of Cambridge, City of Oakville, City of Ottawa, City of Owen Sound, City of Hamilton, City of Peterborough, County of Essex, County of Wellington, Halton District School Board, Hamilton-Wentworth School Board, Limestone District School Board, Niagara Parks Commission, Norfolk County, Region of Peel, Toronto Transit Commission, and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.)

Higher education/academia

Our clients for consulting and training have included a variety of colleges and universities within Ontario (including Algonquin College, Brock University, Carleton University, Durham College, Humber College, McMaster University, Mohawk College, Seneca College, St. Lawrence College, University of Guelph, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, University of Windsor, W. Ross MacDonald School for the Blind, and York University), elsewhere in Canada (Concordia University), the United States (Boston College, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, Savannah College of Art and Design), and beyond (Cardiff Metropolitan University, London School of Printing and Publishing, Universidad de las Americas, Yarmouk University, Bauhaus / Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Binus University, Caldas University, Central Academy of Fine Arts of China, Federal University of Pernambuco, Lebanese American University, Vilnius Academy of Arts, VCU Qatar).

David is Chair of Carleton University’s Carleton Access Network for accessible information technology, run out of Carleton University’s Paul Menton Centre as an initiative of the School of Engineering.

Corporations and private sector

Our private sector clients for accessibility work include Actuate, Adobe, Blindside Networks, BMO (Bank of Montreal), Bruce Mau Design, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Conference Board of Canada, Empire Life, eXplorance, gordongroup, IBM, Jewish Federation of Ottawa, Lixar, Minto, NetCentric, OC Transpo, OpenText, Oxford Properties, Shaw Media, The Home Depot, Toronto Transit Commission, United Way, Yamaha Music

Government Accessibility

We have been involved with United States and Government of Canada Treasury Board standards on accessibility for over a decade, and have provided training to most major departments and agencies in the federal government. We have also provided consultation to the governments of Manitoba, Ontario, Queensland (Australia), India, and Norway.

“I love David’s approach.”

-Carole Dubuc, Canadian Armed Forces

“Clear, concise, and very useful.”

-Annette Kallevig

“Excellent, eye-opening, and not preachy!”

-Carrie Walker-Boyd, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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Reviewed December 5, 2018