Notes from 56th International STC Conference
Atlanta, Georgia, May 2-5, 2009

Opening Session:
Unleashing Opportunities through Accessibility

Shawn Henry

Shawn Henry is an integral player in the W3C’s initiative for WCAG version 2.0 and a passionate evangelist for accessibility. Before joining W3C, Shawn implemented strategies to optimize user interface design for usability and accessibility with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, education providers, and research centers.

Session Description: The speaker stressed the growing awareness of the importance of accessibility in communication products, particularly the web. Not only is it the right thing to do from an ethical standpoint, it is also a smart thing to do from a business standpoint. The “disabilities” market is far greater than many realize, and that trend will only continue as the Baby Boomers age.

• STC is in a position to advance the cause of accessibility.
• We need to make certain our technical communication products are fully accessible.
• In the process, we will be tapping a growing market (aging Baby Boomers) and also creating better, more usable products for all consumers.
• Screen reader converts text to audio for blind or visually impaired.
• Danger is that screen reader is literal: (e.g., Texas Institute Members GO HOME).
• Deaf/blind can read in pop-up Braille display.
• Disabilities extend past the physical; can involve cognitive disabilities as well.
• Disabilities: causes
   
• Congenital
• Disease
• Illness
• Accident
• Aging will increase disabilities; demographics drive accessibility. It is becoming an “act of enlightened self-interest.”
• Accommodations for functional disabilities also provide situational help as well (example: curb cuts were instituted to accommodate wheelchairs but have had much broader benefits).
• So while accessibility is primarily for people with disabilities, it also helps older users, mobile phones, new technologies, old technologies, low literacy, low bandwidth limitations, translations.
• Open your technical communications to a much broader audience.