Author Archives: Robyn

by | May 14, 2014 · 6:41 pm

Website access: A few basics.

Accessibility of any kind is really about eighty percent attitude and the other twenty percent know how.  When it comes to web accessibility the same applies. If you want to do it you can. Your web site is usually your front door to the world so make sure everyone can use it in the way that suits them, not the way it suits you and your brand advisers.

It takes a bit of thinking and planning, but the web is full of good and practical advice. In honour of Global Accessibility Awareness Day I have summarised a few basics to get you started.

The list does not guarantee an accessible web site, but if you do all of these things you will be on your way.

  • Accessibility should be part of all design considerations and plans from the outset.
  • Information on the web should be in accessible HTML.
  • Navigation should be clear, easy to follow and consistent, not changing in structure from page to page.
  • Web pages should be laid out clearly with correct mark up for headings structures and links etc
  • Use “alt” text to provide meaningful descriptions of images and graphics.
  • Colour contrast should be high, at least 70%. There are a number of free tools to test for this. Avoid hot colours.
  • Audio or audio-visual material should be captioned or have transcripts.
  • Pages should still be useable when images are turned off and when pages are enlarged to twice their normal size.
  • Pages should be usable by keyboard only.
  • You can upload audio files and Sign Language video, providing the same information in a range of formats.
  • Avoid using blinking text, throbbing, pulsing or flashing graphics or buttons.
  • Include a site map to help with navigation.
  • Use tagged files optimised for accessibility, both Word and PDF.
  • Regularly audit your site  to make sure you maintain accessibility.

Your users will thank you.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

“Global Accessibility Awareness Day is a community-driven effort whose goal is to dedicate one day to raising the profile of and introducing the topic of digital (web, software, mobile app/device etc.) accessibility and people with different disabilities to the broadest audience possible.”

 

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Filed under Accessible Engagement, Disability Rights, Inclusion, Information Accessibility, Web Accessibility

by | May 1, 2014 · 11:50 am

From disableism to human rights

The free online dictionary defines disableism as “discrimination against disabled people”. This is rather simplistic and does not state that discrimination is both direct and indirect, the direct being, for example, an employer not giving me a job for which I am well qualified simply because I am disabled. While this is distressing, inappropriate, misguided and often unlawful, it is the disableist indirect discrimination that is often harder to confront, quantify and eliminate.

Disableism as indirect, or systemic discrimination is the result of unspoken, unquestioned and often unnamed bias underlying cultures, values, systems, structures and some deeply seated religious beliefs.

Underlying attitudes and behaviours carry an assumption that disability is not normal, that it equals a lesser human value or is outside the range of regular human experience. Those who practice indirect discrimination are often unaware that their actions are discriminatory.

Indirect discrimination as disableism occurs when an apparently neutral policy, practice or criterion disadvantages people because of their disability or other characteristics, or a combination of their intersecting characteristics, such as disability and age, race, gender, sexual orientation etc. Unless the practice can be objectively justified it is discriminatory, or disableist.  A one-size-fits-all approach can easily lead to disableism or indirect discrimination.

An example of indirect discrimination: a company insists that all those applying for jobs as have driving licenses because there is an occasional need to deliver or collect work from clients. Since this prevents some people with disabilities from applying and as driving is not a core requirement for the job, the company is discriminating against this group of people, unless it can demonstrate that there is an objective reason to justify this. This kind of discrimination is quite common.

Other examples are;

  • Barriers in the built environment because universal design is not planned in.
  • Inaccessible information provided in only one format.
  • Education practices that exclude a variety of disabled children who may need extra time for exams, for example
  • Television programmes and movies that exclude through a lack of audio description, captioning and Sign Language.

While negative attitudes which result in disableism are harder to deal with they can be addressed, along with indirect discrimination in policy and practice.

Using a human rights analysis to confront and challenge disableism gives us access to a range of tools to combat it. Many countries have human rights legislation, and there are the United Nations international covenants and conventions, the most important of which is the Disability Convention  (CRPD.) Using these and educating ourselves and others about them can move the debate from a disabling and disableist one to one of rights, respect and dignity for everyone.

This is my contribution to Blogging Against Disableism Day.

 

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Filed under Disability Issues, Disability Rights, Inclusion

by | January 29, 2014 · 7:54 am

New Zealand Sign Language: A cultural treasure

A rather late very happy New Year to all readers of Low Visionary.  May 2014 bring real progress on disability rights and accessibility all over the world.

Prompted by recent spirited discussion about the decline of New Zealand Sign Language,  and the equally spirited continuing debate about cochlear implants, here is my perspective on the value of New Zealand Sign Language in the New Zealand context.

I should say at the outset that I am not Deaf. Nor can I communicate in New Zealand Sign Language. The visual, spatial qualities inherent to it are beyond my visual capacity. I do know how to work with a Sign Language interpreter though. Since meeting the New Zealand Deaf community many years ago I have been fascinated by their language and history, as well as getting to know some great people.

Over those years I have learned a great deal, joined in with the celebrations of Deaf community victories, and supported their campaigns for access. The Deaf community are articulate, confident, outward looking, and one of the most creative communities around.

It is sad that, although New Zealand Sign Language is one of our official languages, it does not seem to be recognised widely as a national treasure. This was brought into sharp focus for me recently when thinking about Sign Language while working on an arts accessibility project.

Sign Languages should be treasured as precious cultural artefacts in their own right. In some settings they are. In 1993 I watched a riveting and inclusive one woman theatre performance in American Sign Language at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC. Closer to home in 1996, along with other international conference attendees in Auckland, I watched, spellbound, a skilled interpreter yodel, (in NZ Sign Language) along with the Topp Twins. She was as much a star as they were. I have attended other Signed performances, watched Sign singers, lots of Sign Language interpreted meetings and gatherings and enjoyed Deaf humour.

Yet more than twenty years after my first Deaf cultural encounter, and long after New Zealand Sign Language has become an official language, when I visit the web site of Te Papa Tongarewa,  our national cultural storehouse I find no trace of New Zealand Sign Language. There is lots of Maori content, probably not enough, and information in seven other languages besides English and Maori. Is it because being Deaf is associated with deficit rather than with language and culture? Is providing Sign Language seen as a cost which will add little value, rather than as a celebration of the linguistic and cultural heritage of a unique New Zealand community? How about providing information accessibly to New Zealand citizens who are entitled to it?

Kudos to the National Library which has recognised the importance of New Zealand Sign Language and decided that all exhibitions will be introduced in all our national languages. Kudos also to the theatres and arts organisations that have recognised and included Deaf language and culture in their work.  Others need to follow these examples. They could start by joining the activities during Sign Language Week celebrated in May each year.

The New Zealand National Anthem in New Zealand Sign Language, English and Maori. The video is an example of our three national languages, all of which are part of our history and culture.

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Filed under Accessible Engagement, Disability Issues, Disability Rights, Inclusion, Information Accessibility, The Arts, Web Accessibility

by | December 23, 2013 · 6:45 pm

Three disability Christmas wishes

In looking back over 2013 it seems to have gone very fast, and been eventful and full on. Aside from some changes in my personal life there have been other interesting developments. I have continued with some work themes from previous years and become involved in some new areas of work. Working in arts access has been particularly interesting and fun.

As the years pass I am becoming impatient with the pace of change in the disability community. I think there is too much apathy, some self-satisfaction as well as lots of frustration. I worry that we could even be going backwards.

As it is the Christmas season, with all that means, secular and religious, and in accordance with the rules of things magical I have decided to make three Christmas wishes. In the hope they might come true – OK I am a born optimist – I will try and be realistic in my wishes for change. While I always hope for world peace, sadly it doesn’t look likely in the near future.

At the risk of being corny here are my three Christmas wishes.

  1. I wish that that disabled people’s organisations and disability service providers would pay serious attention to making their web sites and electronic information really accessible to the whole community of disabled people.
  2. I wish that disabled people’s organisations would be adequately resourced to enable them to be strong and independent, to develop their and their members’ capacity to represent our voices in a forceful and professional manner
  3. I wish that we as disabled people would be more kind and open towards each other, prepared to understand, support and celebrate the things about us that are different, while grasping and working together in strength and unity on those many big issues that unite us. Together we can do it all!

The magic may need some help from us. I will be foregoing New Year’s resolutions, (which I never keep, apart from the one I made some years ago never to make any more) in favour of these wishes. I hope others will help me make them come true.

But while we have a well-earned break I wish all readers, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, whether in sun or snow, a cheerful, peaceful, safe and restful holiday season, and a very happy New Year. Merry Christmas!

A spikey red pohutukawa blossom with green leaves. (The NZ Christmas tree.)

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