5th Annual ICT Accessibility Testing Virtual Symposium, week of 19 October 2020

ICT Accessibility Testing Symposium logo on the left and testing equipment on the right

"Time for Testing in Testing Times"
(Remote Work, Commerce, Education, Support…)

When: Week of October 19, 2020 (Specific schedule TBD)

Workshops and Instructional Courses: Weeks Prior/Post Symposium (TBD)

It goes without saying that these are testing times for everyone as society collectively deals with the Covid-19 global pandemic. Workers, retailers, restauranteurs, teachers, students, and customer support operators are finding themselves obliged to move to online as the primary means of collaboration with colleagues and customers. It also goes without saying that a considerable number of these systems featured no or poor accessibility development/testing.

Given this rapid transition of many who are new to such online tools, the amount of additional accessibility blockers is growing by the day. Do developers and administrators of new websites and other digital content have accessibility in mind? Most likely not. Do the tools they use to quickly implement new websites, Apps, and electronic documents automatically generate accessible code? Commonly no.

As a profession, we have had to cope with our own business issues in the same ways as those in other industries. We've also had to step up to support those in other industries to help solve their accessibility problems, many of which have only emerged as a result of the massive switch to online operations. A lot has happened in a short time, and there is much that can be gained by sharing our positive (and perhaps, negative?) experiences in ICT Accessibility Testing research and practice. To play our part, we have to be here to provide support to those tackling their technology issues, so that we may help them ensure equitable access for all members of our society.

Our annual symposium has traditionally been a place for inperson knowledge sharing and for professional face-to-face networking. Let's use this year's online symposium to continue sharing what works during the current situation and beyond, and let's continue networking with our peers—but this time online—the same way that so many of us are getting used to while we go through this together.

Sincerely, Dr. Chris M. Law, Chair, & Matt Feldman, Co-Chair,
2020 Symposium Committee

Program and Registration

The Preliminary Program will be available and Registration will open on Wednesday, August 5. Currently, this year's submissions are being reviewed.

To stay informed with updates, sign up for announcements by emailing email hidden; JavaScript is required. Get in touch for sponsor inquiries by contacting the Sponsorship Chair, Erin Kirchner-Lucas.


Section 508 Best Practices Webinar: Open Q&A Session on the Revised 508 Standards, April 30

From: United States Access Board [email hidden; JavaScript is required]

Logo for the Accessibility Online Web Series Logo for the U.S. Access Board

The next webinar in the Section 508 Best Practices Webinar Series will take place April 30 from 1:00 to 2:30 (ET) and provide an opportunity for attendees to pose questions to the Access Board on the revised Section 508 Standards. The 508 Standards apply to information and communication technology (ICT) in the federal sector such as computers, telecommunications equipment, printers, software, websites, information kiosks and transaction machines, and electronic documents. Questions are welcome on all sections of the standards, including application and scoping, functional performance criteria, hardware and software requirements, support documentation and services, and referenced standards. Access Board ICT Specialists will also address questions about companion guidelines for telecommunications equipment covered by Section 255 of the Communications Act and any other topics related to the Board's activities on accessible ICT.

Participants are encouraged to submit their questions in advance of the session through the registration portal. They can also pose questions during the live webinar. This session will be helpful to anyone involved in complying with the 508 Standards or interested in ICT accessibility. Join us for a lively and informative discussion.

For more details or to register for this free webinar, visit www.accessibilityonline.org.
Note: Rescheduled from January as a result of the government shut down. Previously registered users do not need to register again.

The Section 508 Best Practices Webinar Series provides helpful information and best practices for federal agencies in meeting their obligations under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act which ensures access to information and communication technology in the federal sector. This webinar series is made available by the Accessibility Community of Practice of the CIO Council in partnership with the U.S. Access Board.

Section 508 Best Practices: Open Q&A Session on the Revised 508 Standards
When: April 30, 2019, 1:00- 2:30 (ET)

Presenters:

  • Bruce Bailey, ICT Accessibility Specialist, U.S. Access Boardr
  • Timothy Creagan, Senior ICT Accessibility Specialist, U.S. Access Board
  • Katherine Eng, ICT Accessibility Specialist, U.S. Access Board

Registration: www.accessibilityonline.org
Note: Registration closes 24 hours before the start of the session. Instructions for accessing the webinar on the day of the session will be sent by email to registered individuals in advance of the session. Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) and Video Sign Language Interpreters are available for each session and will be broadcast through the webinar platform. A telephone option (not toll-free) for receiving audio is also available.

Section 508 Best Practices Webinar Series Schedule: www.accessibilityonline.org