As part of the WAI-CooP project, we organised an online open meeting on 11 October 2022, focusing on the topic of digital accessibility expertise.
In her introduction June Lowery-Kingston, Head of Unit at the European Commission, outlined the significant lack of digital accessibility experts across the European Union. She argued that digital accessibility needs to feature far more prominently in information technology courses, so it was good to hear that the Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DigComp) has been updated to explicitly mention accessibility across several knowledge, skills and attitude competencies, including the awareness of legal requirements such as accessibility statements.
The first panel focused on key challenges to access web accessibility expertise and the impact this has on persons with disabilities.
Panelists reflected on how damaging the lack of digital accessibility specialists is for users with disabilities. They discussed how public bodies dealt with the sudden reliance on digital interaction during the pandemic, and what they had learnt from that experience.
They also discussed the challenges that those who need to procure digital accessibility services face, especially when they are not experts themselves.
The second panel focused on initiatives and future solutions to improve access to digital accessibility expertise.
Panelists discussed important things to consider for anyone who wants to acquire digital accessibility skills, including key questions to ask and tips on how to choose the right course.
They also reflected on some of the challenges of harmonising training of web accessibility professionals, and of ensuring that curricula include accessibility.
Finally, panelists outlined what emerging technologies and research areas are most promising for digital accessibility.
Find out more in our detailed report about the event (Word document)
Contact
Carine Marzin – Project Manager
Project: Web Accessibility Initiative Communities of Practice (WAI-CooP)
carine.marzin@edf-feph.org