Week Eleven: Accessibility

 A Peek at the Week

This week we were asked to read and reflect on the following material: "The Rhetorical Possibilities of Accessibility" by Rachel Donegan, "Writing for Web Accessibility" in W3C, and "Accessibility, Usability, and Inclusion" in W3C. 

• In the article by Donegan, the author discusses a few starting points that will aid readers in becoming aware and implementing these strategies in their work to make it more accessible for all. The first tip that Donegan explains is alt text. In this article, the writer defines alt text as "...a description that is 'hidden' in the formatting of a picture or a graphic, whether it is on a website or in some other kind of digital document" (Donegan, p. 112). The next tip that the author describes is headings. The main advice she gave regarding headings was not to make it too long, keep it simple and bold. The last advice the author gave was to create scripts. According to the author, "...using scripts impacts your audience's ability to connect to a text, but this form of access is more likely to benefit peers and instructors who are invisibly disabled and may have difficulty understanding long stretches of uninterrupted spoken language" (Donegan, p. 118). Together, these are the snips of advice that Donegan uses to provide readers with a basis on how to start making work more accessible. 
• In "Writing for Web Accessibility", the article provides seven tips for creating more accessible content. The seven items listed and explained include the following: create short and unique titles, make headings outline content, describe contents of linked text, install alt text in images, display transcripts and captions on multimedia aspects, provide clear instructions, and use simple and concise content. Together, these items will make work more accessible for all. 
• In "Accessibility, Usability, and Inclusion", the topics are broken down and discussed. The author starts by defining accessibility, usability, and inclusion separately. Then, explains accessible and usable design. 

Connections

The text observed this week is one in which we have not discussed so far in this class. However, it is a vital one that incorporates a new take on what we have learned. While discussing participation and online writing, we were primarily focused on how to get credible information and how to properly include ourselves in the discussion. Yet, we never discussed accessibility, but it is directly related to these topics. Accessibility connects to participation because it relates to individuals' ability to be able to participate. 

Visual of the Week

The image relates to digital accessibly. It shows a magnifying glass and wheelchair which are representative to a few disabilities that individuals could have.

Alt Text for Image Description: The image above showcases a man in a wheelchair next to a computer with a magnifying glass and imagery. 

Contributions to Learning

This week's readings contributed to my learning because it gave me insight into things I rarely think about. I am fortunate to have the ability to see and hear, so including alt text for images or transcripts for videos isn't something that I need or think about. However, after reading I am more aware of these accessibility concerns and will do my best to incorporate these items in my work. 

Ponder This

Are you aware of accessibility? Is your work reflecting this?

Sources

Rachel Donegan (2022). The rhetorical possibilities of accessibility. Writing Spaces.

Web accessibility solution for ADA compliance & WCAG. accessiBe. (n.d.). https://accessibe.com/?msclkid=4b6b03e8ae041814fb7f64c60b97ec10&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GSN+%7C+US+and+CA+%7C+Accessibility+%26+Compliance&utm_term=ada+accessiblity&utm_content=ADA