• Try “portfolio”, “ink”, “branding” or a code like “PRS 101”.

DMW 203Digital Media and Web Development

Accessible Website Design

Design and build websites everyone can use: WCAG 2.2 principles and levels, Ontario's AODA requirements, accessible content and interaction, and practical testing.

In developmentDraft content

About this course

Accessibility is part of design quality, and for many organizations it is also a legal requirement. This course introduces how disabled people use the web, the structure of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 (four principles and levels A, AA and AAA), and how Ontario's Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) applies to websites, noting that the AODA currently references WCAG 2.0 Level AA and that requirements differ in other jurisdictions. You will practise writing alt text for artwork, structuring headings and links, checking colour contrast, captioning media, and designing keyboard, focus, target-size and form interactions, including criteria new in WCAG 2.2. You will finish by testing with automated tools, the keyboard and a screen reader, and writing an accessibility statement.

Who it’s for: Artists, designers and small-site owners who build or manage websites. Introduction to Web Design (or basic HTML and CSS) is required.

You will be able to

  • Explain WCAG 2.2's four principles and conformance levels and how AODA applies to websites in Ontario.
  • Write useful alt text for artwork and structure pages with meaningful headings and links.
  • Check and fix colour contrast, captions and media alternatives.
  • Design keyboard, focus, target-size and form interactions that meet WCAG 2.2 AA.
  • Audit a site with automated tools, keyboard and screen reader testing, and write an accessibility statement.

Prerequisites

Studio project

A WCAG 2.2 AA audit of a real site with verified fixes, an accessibility statement and a remediation plan.

To complete this course

  • Complete every required lesson.
  • Have the assignment “Audit and remediate a site” accepted by an instructor.
  • Records of completion are issued only for courses whose content has passed instructor review.

Part of

Syllabus

Working titles: they may change as the course is written.

  1. Module 1: Why accessibility, and what the standards say

    The people, the guidelines and the law.

    1. 1.1How disabled people use the webVideo · 30 min
    2. 1.2WCAG 2.2: principles, guidelines and levelsReading · 35 min
    3. 1.3AODA and other jurisdictionsReading · 30 min

  2. Module 2: Accessible content

    Making what you publish perceivable and understandable.

    1. 2.1Alt text for artworkExercise · 40 min
    2. 2.2Headings, landmarks and link textExercise · 30 min
    3. 2.3Colour contrast and not relying on colourExercise · 30 min
    4. 2.4Captions, transcripts and mediaReading · 30 min

  3. Module 3: Accessible interaction

    Making everything usable by keyboard, touch and assistive technology.

    1. 3.1Keyboard access and visible focusExercise · 40 min
    2. 3.2Target size and dragging alternativesReading · 25 min
    3. 3.3Accessible forms and sign-inReading · 35 min

  4. Module 4: Testing and accessibility statements

    Finding problems and being transparent about fixes.

    1. 4.1Automated testing and its limitsExercise · 30 min
    2. 4.2Manual and screen reader testingStudio · 60 min
    3. 4.3Writing an accessibility statementExercise · 25 min

Explains AODA and WCAG as educational information, not legal advice. For your organization's specific obligations, consult the Government of Ontario or a qualified professional.

Sources

Author: Ricketts University curriculum team (draft for founder review) · Not yet reviewed

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