Accessibility:Making documents for

everyoneTricia Drury

DHS Disability Services Division

Sept. 30, 2014

Link to presentation: http://tinyurl.com/DSDaccessibility

Topics today

1. The framework of accessibility and why is it important

2. Barriers to information

3. DHS standards and resources

4. Tips on making content accessible

Q. What is accessibility?A. Accessibility is the removal of

barriers that might otherwise prevent people from fully engaging with information, products, etc.

Accessible content

Q. Who is responsible for it?A. YOU are. All state employees and

are responsible for ensuring that accessibility features are incorporated into every product we create, contract or purchase.

Q. When should I start?

A. NOW! Building accessibility into products and projects at the beginning saves time and effort. Legislation addressing accessibility standards was passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2009 and became effective September 2010.

Q. Why do we care?

A. The DHS mission is to help Minnesotans live with dignity and achieve their highest potential. Removing barriers to accessibility helps Minnesotans access services that can help them achieve self-sufficiency.

Let’s talk barriers• Important to understand barriers

people with disabilities may face using information technology

• Assistive technology exists to help people with disabilities overcome barriers

Mobility: Bob

Sight: Peter

Hearing: Perrine

Cognition: Josh

Usability

Universal design

1. Situational (loud, bad lighting)

2. Mobile or slower technology

3. Disease

4. Accident

5. Aging

Accessible Technology

Principles of Accessibility• Perceivable Text labels for

visual images

• Operable Navigate viaThe keyboard

• Understandable Reading level/plain language

• Robust Readable on new technology

What does this mean for you?If submitted to DHS, need to be accessible and made available ahead of time:

1.Word documents (.doc or .docx)

2.PowerPoints (.ppt or .pptx)

3.PDFs (.pdf)

4.Web content (.html or .jsp)

5.Video (.wmv, .wav, .mp4, etc)

START HERE

Create a Culture of Accessibility

DHS Standards

• Key Points for Accessible Word Documents (PDF)

• DHS Web-based Video Standards (PDF)

• Primary Minnesota accessibility statute

• MN state accessiblity standard (PDF)**

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0

• Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act

Online resources

• Microsoft Accessibility tutorials

• Adobe Acrobat Pro XI PDF guidelines (PDF)

• YouTube caption builder

ExampleThe first thing you can do to learn about accessible documents is to learn heading structure

Alt Text

How do you trouble shoot?1. Seek resources to learn

2. Test with users/Use online tutorials

3. Contact your contract manager

4. If they can’t answer, they can connect with someone at DHS who can steer you in right direction

Questions?Tricia Drury

DSD Information Officer

tricia.drury@state.mn.us

651-431-4980

Link to presentation: http://tinyurl.com/DSDaccessibility