Digital Accessibility News

From the Office of Accessibility at Minnesota IT Services

High Contrast Mode and Dark Theme Accessibility Testing

Mobile applications and operating systems increasingly use dark themes and high contrast modes. As more options for changing modes, themes, and specific colors have become available, both users of technology and digital accessibility testers are asking the question:

Does the State of Minnesota Digital Accessibility Standard cover one of these settings or all of them?

For example, does it address all the high contrast settings that impact operating systems and software as well as all browser renderings of dark mode?

This month we answer:

• What are dark themes and high contrast modes?
• How do I know if I am using/testing software, a web application, or content?
• How do I test high contrast modes and dark themes in software, web applications, and content to determine if they are compliant with the standard?

Learn what you need to know about color schemes in this month's High Contrast Mode and Dark Theme Accessibility Testing.

Office of Accessibility Responds to Digital Accessibility Questions

The Office of Accessibility receives questions about digital accessibility from state of Minnesota employees on a variety of topics. This month we share responses to some questions in our inbox:

• Can this document be accessed by someone using a specific type of assistive technology?
• How can I check alt text in an email without using a screen reader?
• How do I create alt text for a complex graphic?
• How can I learn more about Excel accessibility?
• How can a beginner learn more about web accessibility?

Find all the answers in the blog Office of Accessibility Responds to Digital Accessibility Questions.

Tech Tip: New Keyboard Shortcuts for Webex Meetings

Webex Meetings has new keyboard shortcuts that will make it easier for many people to participate in meetings. And, people using screen readers can now control when they want to listen to chat messages.

• Mute and unmute: Ctrl + M
• Raise and lower hand: Ctrl + Shift + R
• Toggle on and off your screen reader’s automatic reading of incoming chat messages: Ctrl + Shift + C.

Note: Using a screen reader? When you toggle off the automatic reading of incoming chat messages, placing focus on the chat panel button will give a single notification when there is a new message or new messages.

For those hosting a meeting:

• Decide before your meeting how you would like your group to address chats going forward. Some participants not using a screen reader may still find the visual notification of incoming messages distracting.
• Share in your meeting invite, and at the beginning of the meeting, the new option for those using a screen reader to toggle on and off the notification of incoming chat messages.

Events and Trainings

Webinar: What Makes An Accessible Kiosk Application

Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CT

Speaker(s): Laura Boniello Miller, Corporate Business Development Manager, Vispero and Rachael Bradley Montgomery, Director, Accessible Community
Target Audience: Application Developers, Accessibility Professionals, Marketing

Overview:

“Kiosk applications must be built to be accessible and work with a screen reader such as JAWS. Learn how and when to apply WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA and AAA to your upcoming or existing kiosk deployment. How are kiosk applications different from traditional websites or mobile applications and what should you consider in developing one? Building an accessible kiosk is only partially about kiosk hardware. The accessibility of kiosk software should also be considered in order to build a cohesive accessible kiosk experience.”

Fees, registration and more information on IAAP’s information page for What Makes an Accessible Kiosk Application.

Free Webinar: Review of the Revised 508 Standards (Part II) - Requirements for Hardware and Software

This webinar is part of the Section 508 Best Practices webinar series.

Date: Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Time: noon to 1:30 p.m. (CT)

Overview:

This session “will explain provisions in the standards for hardware and software. Requirements for hardware, such as computers, information kiosks, and multi-function copy machines, address privacy, operable parts, communication, and other features. Software requirements cover interoperability with assistive technology, applications, and authoring tools. Requirements for support documentation and services will also be covered. Presenters from the U.S. Access Board will answer questions submitted in advance and during the live session.”

For more details or to register, visit the Great Lakes ADA Center’s webpage with information about Review of the Revised 508 Standards (Part II).

Webinar: UX/Usability Testing Panel - Personas, User Experience, and Research

Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CT

Panelists: Raphael Clegg-Vinell, Senior Accessibility and Usability Consultant, AbilityNet; Lisa Vissichelli, Head of Visual Design, Research Manager, AnswerLab; Kathryn Weber-Hottleman, IT Accessibility Coordinator, University of Connecticut

Moderator: Bradley Held, Head of Digital Accessibility, UNC - Chapel Hill

Target Audience: Web developers and designers, UX professionals, website managers, accessibility champions, project managers

Overview:
"The webinar panel will focus on three main areas: 1) how to use personas to incorporate accessibility from the beginning of solution's design; 2) visualizing user experiences as a way to breakdown customer needs in context; and 3) Outlining a range of research methods you can use to focus on user testing and inclusion."

Fees, registration, and more information on IAAP’s information page for UX/Usability Testing Panel.

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