MMS 151

COURSE CODE: MMS 151

COURSE TITLE: Introduction to Web Accessibility

UNITS: 3 units

PREREQUISITES: MMS 170

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A course on testing and creating accessible websites and other digital resources (e.g. MS Word files, PDFs, videos) to achieve accessibility compliance and improve web access to people of all abilities.

COURSE GOAL:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Discuss the concept of web accessibility and the importance of accessible and inclusive web design;
  • Identify barriers to access of web information
  • Analyze the accessibility of a website and its content based on the prevailing standards;
  • Critically evaluate arguments about accessibility as a civil rights issue.
  • Employ tools for testing accessibility; and
  • Demonstrate skills for designing and creating accessible webpages and other digital products.

COURSE OUTLINE:

  • Understanding Web Accessibility
    • Importance of accessible web design
    • Essential components of web accessibility
    • Understanding disability
  • Overview of the W3C Standards and Guidelines for Accessibility
    • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
    • Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG)
    • Relevant legislations
    • Case studies related to accessibility
  • The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 In-depth
    • Understanding the four principles of accessibility
    • Success criteria
    • Techniques for compliance
  • Implementing Web Accessibility
    • Creating a culture of accessibility
    • From planning to testing and revisions
  • Web Accessibility in Practice
    • Creating accessible Word Documents
    • Creating accessible PDFs
    • Making videos accessible
    • Accessibility audit
    • HTML5, CSS3 and accessibility
    • Improving a website’s accessibility – practical activity