DSPs Using and Supporting Technology Use
Attending to Accessibility and Universal Design in Digital Spaces
Creating accessible and universally designed digital space(s) content is essential to supporting all people's access to information and participation in digital spaces. In digital spaces, this means thinking about how people can access, navigate, and understand digital information. It is important to consider making digital spaces accessible to the widest array of people, including those who access content through visual, cognitive, and physical means.
In an interview about the need for accessibility and Universal Design, self-advocate Julian Wang speaks up about what is needed in digital spaces to include people with disabilities.
Accessibility
Technology and Training Needs
We need technology that is more accessible. People need to be trained to use technology better. We need better technology. We need more training for people to better use the technology so they can participate and self-advocate.
Geographical Challenges
People can be isolated. People need reliable internet. Especially in rural areas, it is difficult to access, especially for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Inclusive Design
The creation of those digital spaces needs to be inclusive, including people with IDD. Digital and physical spaces should be designed with direct input from those with disabilities to ensure their actual needs.
Advocacy and Legislative Involvement
There is a need for advocacy and legislative action processes to be accessible. This includes making these processes accessible to people with IDD, so they are understandable, informative, and actionable.
Barriers to Effective Communication
There are persistent communication challenges in communication for people with disabilities. This includes people who may be non-verbal or have difficulty with traditional literacy. We need to use alternative communication methods and technologies, but these are often overlooked and underfunded.
Role of Self-Advocacy Groups
These groups should play a lead role in accessibility improvements.
For example, Speaking for Ourselves Colorado supports its members through advocacy and technology training.
Need for Continuous Improvement and Support
There is a need to improve support, funding, and policymaking to better support the accessibility needs of people with IDD. We call for more sustainable and consistent support for both state and local entities.
What does Universal Design mean to people with IDD?
Inclusive Participation
Universal design should help everyone, regardless of their abilities, to participate in digital spaces. The goal of the design should be to be inclusive for everyone. Products should be designed with tools and accommodations to meet all users’ needs.
Universal design should help everyone, regardless of their abilities, to participate in digital spaces. The goal of the design should be to be inclusive for everyone. Products should be designed with tools and accommodations to meet all users’ needs.
Input from Users with Disabilities
The design should definitely involve people with disabilities so products are truly useful and accessible. If we want to address real-world challenges, people with disabilities should give input.
Simplicity and Intuitiveness
The design should be simple and intuitive. It should not require special training or knowledge.
Flexibility in Use
Universal Design must be flexible to allow a wide range of people with different abilities to use technology. It helps everyone to find a comfortable way to use tools in environments.
Communication Accessibility
All forms of communication should be accessible, including in all formats. This includes text, audio, and visual formats.
Error Tolerance
Design should be forgiving. It should allow people to make mistakes. If a person hits a button by mistake, it should be easy to fix the error, so it is still a good experience for them.
Using the POUR Acronym to Create Accessible Digital Content
To better understand the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, creators can use the acronym POUR when creating materials and digital spaces. POUR stands for materials that are (a) Perceivable, (b) Operable, (c) Understandable, and (d) Robust.
- Perceivable means making all material seen and heard.
- Operable means all digital material can be navigated using different tools.
- Understandable refers to digital material that is comprehensible to various people, and the material is predictable.
- Robust refers to digital material that is usable across devices and platforms.
The resources below can help practitioners create digital material that follows POUR principles.
Resources to Create Accessible Digital Spaces
National Center on Accessible Education Materials
The National Center on Accessible Education Materials offers resources for professionals and practitioners to create accessible digital content.
- Designing for Accessibility
- Creating Accessible Documents and Presentations
- Creating Accessible Videos
Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center
The Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SAR-TAC) has resources on using plain and easy-to-read language. Below are resources practitioners can use to follow basic accessibility practices, plain language, and easy read.
- 2023 Series of Easy Read/Plain Language Webinars for Government and Non-Profit Agencies
- SABE Handbooks on Technology, which provide examples of accessible material and plain language/easy read
A11Y Project
Accessibility Audit Checklist: This tool provides information on accessibility audits and practical, easy-to-follow instructions for making your digital content more accessible.
Research on Easy Read to Create Digital Accessibility
Researchers from Germany created a browser extension product that transforms digital content into Easy Read. People with IDD were co-creators and co-researchers in this work. This also demonstrates how people with disabilities provide input into the design process.
- Link to the article: Easy Reading – Keeping the User at the Digital Original: Assessment and Potential Use of Easy Reading for Digital Accessibility
- Easy Reader Video Demonstration
Key Takeaways
- Digital accessibility needs to facilitate participation.
- People with IDD should be included in the design of tools and products to meet their needs better.
- By creating accessible digital spaces, people with IDD will be more included.
Reprinted with permission from American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Technology Interest Network. (2024). Technology Spotlight Fall 2024. [AAIDD Tech Connect Fall 2024 Issue ] The Technology Interest Network has monthly Tech Connect meetings on the 3rd Monday of every month where we discuss technology research, policy, and practice. Email techinterestnetworkaaidd@gmail.com to join!