Digital Accessibility News

From the Office of Accessibility at Minnesota IT Services

Successful Teams Ensure 100% of their Members Understand Keyboard Accessibility

Do You Know Your Role?
By: Jennie Delisi, Accessibility Analyst

Keyboard testing is one of the most basic digital accessibility tests. If you are going to learn one test, start with this one! It helps many people, including people who:

• Use screen reading software, such as people who are blind.
• Use alternative access methods like keyboard only (no mouse), switches, or use their voice to operate their computer. These may be people with tremors, or people with other types of mobility challenges.

The goal of keyboard testing is to answer these questions:

• Can someone use all interactions without a mouse?
• Can that person (visually) tell which interaction they are on?
• Are the interactions in the order a person expects?

Anyone that makes digital communications needs to know how to do these tests. Even if you create basic digital communications! Some examples include:

• Emails.
• Social media posts.
• Documents.
• Web pages (including SharePoint pages).
• Mobile apps.
• E-learning.
• Digital maps.
• Data visualizations.

Are you on a team building or reviewing a technology solution? Each team member needs to understand what keyboard accessibility is and why it is important. Depending on their role, they may also need to know how to test. 

Ready to learn more? This article covers:

• Keyboard testing basics.
• Keyboard-only use planning and requirements writing.
• Reporting and fixing problems.
• Resources for learning more.

All the details are available in Successful Teams Ensure 100% of their Members Understand Keyboard Accessibility.

New! Data Visualization Accessibility Information on the Office of Accessibility Website

Data visualizations can be a great way to present information. And, like all digital content they should be accessible to everyone. When creating them consider how all users will have equal access to the information in the visualization.

There are new resources available to help with this! Thank you to the state of Minnesota subject matter experts who shared them! In the new section of the Office of Accessibility website you will find information about:

• Data Visualization Basics.
• Accessible Power BI Resources.
• Tableau Design.
• Testing Tableau.

Bookmark this page! Data Visualization Accessibility.

Tech Tip: Creating Accessible Equations in Microsoft Word

By: Kim Lanahan-Lahti, CPACC, Minnesota IT Services Partnering with the Department of Natural Resources

When it comes to mathematics, many accessibility issues arise simply due to the nature of the subject itself. One example: math combines characters and symbols from other languages in formats that aren’t seen in other subjects. Take great care when adding math equations to a Microsoft Word document.

Think about:

Important! Don’t encode any math content (i.e., equations and symbols) by either

• Inserting a Symbol from the character map.
• Using super/subscripts.

The reason: symbols and super/subscripts pose challenges for users of screen readers and other assistive technologies.

Use the following steps to ensure your equation is accessible.

Step 1 – Add the equation to the document

Add an equation to a document by following one of these methods.

• Use Microsoft Word’s equations and symbols built-in feature.
• Download a math equation editor like MathType.
• Write it as a linear equation.

For any of the above options go to step 2.

Step 2 – Create an image of the equation

To create an image of the equation or formula:

1. Select the entire equation or formula.
2. Right-click (Shift + F10) and select Copy from the pop-up window.
3. Select the equation again and delete it.
4. Right-click (Shift + F10) and select “Paste as Picture” from the pop-up window. (Keyboard shortcut = Alt > H > V > U).

Word gives 2 options for pasting. Choose the 2nd one to “paste as picture.”

Next, add alt text for the equation.

1. Right-click (Shift + F10) on the image and select Edit Alt Text. This will open the Alt Text pane.
2. Type the description of how someone would voice the equation or formula.

In the case of our example, the alt text would be A squared plus B squared equals C squared.

Events and Trainings

Online Community Discussion Hosted by XR Access: Haptics and Accessibility

Date: February 28, 2023
Time: 1pm Central Time

Description:
“As we continue to strive for more accessible XR in 2023, we are excited to bring together experts and enthusiasts in the field of XR haptic technology for an interactive and informative discussion. The XR Community Discussion on Haptics will take place on February 28th at 11am PT / 2pm ET and will feature presentations from leading industry figures Bob Crockett, Ashley Huffman, and Dhruv Jain, followed by an open audience discussion of best practices for addressing how haptics can help XR utilize the sense of touch for immersion and accessibility.”

Learn more and register on XR Access’ events webpage.

In-person Conference: CSUN Assistive Technology Conference

Dates: March 13-17, 2023
Location: Anaheim, California

Description:
“The CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, also known as the CSUN Conference” provides “a platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors and more from around the world, where they can share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to promote inclusion for all.” This is year 38 for this conference!

Conference topics typically cover assistive technology, and digital accessibility. Presenters are from around the world.

More information, including registration fees, is available on the CSUN Conference website.

Webinar: I Never Know – Security Solutions and Accessibility Challenges

Date: April 11, 2023
Time: 10 – 11am, Central Time

Cost to attend: There is a fee to attend, however, access to the archive may be included with your membership. State of Minnesota employees: check with your digital accessibility coordinator to learn more.

Description:
“The modern web applications and mobile applications have made our lives easier than ever before. But, along with them, they are bringing a host of online security challenges that are frightening the digital life every day.

Are these Security Challenges like Face biometric authentications, CAPTCHA etc., in the Web applications and mobile applications inclusive and accessible? What are the Accessibility challenges that people with disabilities and senior citizens are facing? Let's have a look at the available security solutions that can help the security challenges to be accessible.”

Speakers:

• Sathish Kumar, Optum India
• Anoosha Reddy Terala, Optum India

More information is available on the IAAP webpage: I never know – security solutions and accessibility challenges webinar.

Hold the Date! Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2023

Date: May 18, 2023

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is just around the corner! Whether you are hosting events or an active participant, mark your calendars!

“The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.”

Learn more on the Global Accessibility Awareness Day website.

Visit the Office of Accessibility website for digital accessibility information and resources. Share this newsletter with others! All are welcome to subscribe.

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