Twitter Comments
"informative session here at the melb hotel, looking fwd to the next one"
"Lots of useful info to digest."
"Was awesome, lots to think about."
"ideas5 was quite eye (ear?) opening, thanks for organising"
On April 22, 2009 The Australian Web Industry Association, together with Web Industry Professionals Association, presented Ideas 5.
Version 2 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) has recently been released, introducing some changes in the recommendations for website accessibility. Ideas5 was an evening seminar to help the web community understand WCAG 2.0 and prepare websites with improved accessibility.
A fantastic night was had by over 100 attendees who were entertained and educated by Roger Hudson and Andrew Downie.
Roger Hudson
Roger Hudson provided an overview of WCAG 2.0 and the compliance process. He described the practical differences to WCAG 1.0 and the benefits to be gained by adopting WCAG 2.0. He outlined the move to technology neutrality and the introduction of the concept of "Accessibility Supported Technologies".
About Roger
Roger Hudson has an extensive background in media related companies including directorships of a successful film and video production company and a specialist educational multimedia publishing company.
He has more than 20 years experience in developing informational materials for diverse audience groups and conducting focus-group based qualitative audience research.
Andrew Downie
Andrew Downie from the Centre for Learning Innovation within the NSW Department of Education and Training will demonstrate how to make accessible PDFs that can bring benefits to screen reader users. Andrew Downie will also demonstrate how screen reader users can access and use well made Flash and PDF material.
Ideas 5 - Andrew Downie from AWIA on Vimeo.
About Andrew
Andrew Downie is a psychologist and also has a post-graduate diploma in education. He has, for both personal and professional reasons, a keen interest in making products and services available to the widest possible range of people.
Andrew has worked for the NSW Department of Education and Training since 1992, providing adaptive technology resources to staff and students. As the world wide web has become more important in the educational environment, Andrew's role has increasingly involved evaluating website accessibility.
