The Fourth Web Accessibility Challenge in conjunction with the W4A 2010 Conference will take place at the WWW 2010 conference in April 26 and 27 in Raleigh, NC.

Goal

The Web Accessibility Challenge is organised to give an opportunity to researchers and developers of advanced Web accessibility technologies for showcasing their technologies to technical leaders in this area not only from academia and industry but also from end-users. To encourage and accelerate development of innovative and practically usable Web accessibility technologies; the Challenge is one part of the conference in which new experimental systems and technologies are submitted, compared, and judged by our independent panel of experts as to the most significant advance in research technology in accessibility for that year.

Topic

Please note that submissions can be related to the theme, “Developing Regions: Common Goals, Common Problems?” but it is certainly not a requirement as all accessibility technologies are welcomed for the challenge.

Submission Materials

We invite you to submit your work by submitting a:

• Two-page abstract (see the W4A submission page)
• Demonstration movie (or audio recording) with audio description.
• Software is not required, but encouraged.

System Requirements

Any kind of system is acceptable, such as standalone assistive technologies, voice browsers, browser plug-ins, server-based services, and telephony systems. Other accessibility technologies can be accepted (e.g., tactile browser). Open source systems are welcomed. Please contact us, if you have any questions about the coverage (cc2010@w4a.info).

Important Dates

Submission deadline is 19th February 2010 (Midnight Hawaii Standard Time).

Labels: Call For Papers, Challenge, W4A, Web Accessibility

Creating web forms that are accessible to people with disabilities requires understanding of the labelling features of HTML markup and how browsers interpret labelling markup for assistive technologies like screen readers. The course will start by using simulations to help participants understand the issues people with disabilities face when using the web. Participants will learn the basics of labelling form controls, how to indicate required controls and provide feedback on invalid responses in a way that is usable by people with disabilities. Examples of more complex labelling of form controls for dates, phone numbers, validation codes and high density surveys will be included in the course. Participants will learn CSS techniques to layout form controls without using tables and how to highlight the active form control using CSS pseudo elements. The last part of the course will provide a preview of the form labelling capabilities of the new Accessibility Rich Internet Applications! (ARIA) specifications which provide new capabilities to label form controls and provide accessible feedback on form validation as required by the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0.

Who Should Participate in the Course?

This course is designed for web developers interested in learning about the disability access issues faced by people with disabilities in using the web and how web forms can be designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. Participants should be familiar with HTML coding and the form elements. Knowledge of basic CSS techniques and javascripting will be helpful, but not a required part of the course.

Dates and Registration

Dates:

October 27th to December 1st (5 weeks)

Location:

On-line, mostly synchronous and some asynchronous activities

Cost:

$175 (NOTE: $25 discount to WOW members, educators, and government employees)

More information at:

http://formsonline.cita.illinois.edu/

Instructor:

Jon Gunderson, Ph.D., University of Illinois

Registration link:

http://www.webprotraining.org/AccessibleForms.html

Labels: Online Course, Web Accessibility, Web Forms