[A11ybok] A11yBOK and eAccess+

[DavidSloan]

Hi all

 

I'm a researcher in inclusive design and accessibility at Dundee
University, Scotland; I also do a bit of accessibility consultancy. As
part of my work, I'm involved in the European Commission-funded eAccess+
network (http://www.eaccessplus.eu). 

 

I've been following discussions about a11yBOK on Twitter - and
contributed the odd tweet (having been unable to attend CSUN in person).
I'm really keen to support the development of an a11yBOK, and in
particular to explore how these efforts can be harmonised with the
ongoing activity in Europe around developing the eAccess+ Hub.

 

The Hub is one of the network's main deliverables. It's intended to
support people from a range of backgrounds and levels of experience
learn more about accessibility, by pointing to existing and credible
resources on eAccessibility topics relevant to web, digital TV and
self-service terminals/kiosks (the three areas eAccess+ is funded to
cover). Our plan is certainly not to write new resources, but rather
link to quality resources that we can be confident of pointing people
with varying levels of interest and expertise on accessibility. 

 

At the time of writing the Hub exists as a very incomplete wiki, and one
glance will reveal we have a huge amount of work to do on usability and
UX, but we know this and are committed to working on it, as well as
developing a system for QA and managing contributions and coverage:

http://hub.eaccessplus.eu/wiki/Main_Page

 

The 25 eAccess+ network partner organisations, including Dundee
University, each have limited funding from the European Commission until
Sept 2013. But the important point is that there is a commitment and
platform to build on to develop the Hub further - and at the same time
contribute to efforts to build an a11yBOK. 

 

Given the obvious overlap between eAccess+ and a11yBOK, and to help
bring this out into the open, I'm organising some informal discussions
at W4A 12, the upcoming Web accessibility research conference taking
place in Lyon, France, on April 16-18 (http://www.w4a.info). Of people I
know have had prior discussions with this group, Mike Paciello and
Olivier Nourry will both be at W4A. 

 

I'm really keen to see how we can combine our efforts, and to get this
list's views on how best the eAccess+ activity can align with
discussions and activities on developing an a11yBOK. First up would be
to explore whether the Hub and an a11yBOK could be the same thing, or
whether it's better that each can link to or support the other.  

 

Any thoughts any list members would like to share now, or contribute
remotely or in person at W4A would be very welcome. Obviously I will
post back on the results of discussions at W4A.

 

All the best

Dave


The University of Dundee is a Scottish Registered Charity, No. SC015096.


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