Accessibility: �A Novel Approach
Adam Thiel, CPACC
Digital Accessibility Coordinator
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
So, who is �ABLE Tech?
…and why are they talking to me?
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
Our mission is to improve the lives of Oklahomans, of all ages and abilities, by providing access to assistive technology devices and services, financing opportunities, digital accessibility services, advocacy, and education.
What is AT?
Assistive technology, or AT, is anything that helps people do everyday tasks easier, better, faster, or more efficiently.
It helps them do things that would be hard or impossible to do without it.
Our Programs & Services
For more info, go to okabletech.org
Today’s Roadmap
Learning Objectives
Introduction to Accessibility
Accessibility means making information and services easy for everyone to use and understand.
More than 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. (about 28%) have a disability.
Mind blown!
Can you think of some examples of accessibility?
Common Accessibility Examples
Accessibility benefits�everyone.
Laws�& Guidelines
Accessibility Laws
Accessibility is a�civil right.
Update to Title II of the ADA
Two Deadlines
April 24, 2026
April 26, 2027
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
Organizations Affected
And Vendors, too!
What content is covered?
This includes both public and internal content!
Web Content
Documents
Mobile Apps
Technically Everything*
Web content & �mobile apps
Documents
*See the DOJ’s Fact Sheet for info on the 5 exceptions.
Breathe
Four Core Skills�of Digital Accessibility
The Four Core Skills
Use good structure
Create equivalent experiences
Make content readable
Use color carefully
Core Skill 1:�Use good structure
Core Skill 1 includes:
Headings
Lists
Tables
Semantic Markup
Structure Holds It All Together
Give your content a strong foundation:
Why is Structure Important?
Headings
Styles in Word
Styles in Google Sites
Core Skill 2:�Create �equivalent experiences
Core Skill 2 includes:
Alt Text
Captions
Transcripts
Audio Description
Alt Text
Alt text provides meaning to images for people who can’t see them.
Every image needs a description, and alt text is the most common way to provide one.
The Telephone Game
How would you describe an image to someone over the phone?
Context is King
Context is the most important thing when writing alt text.
The same image, but used in a different context, will need a different description.
Alt Text Practice
Killer dog on the loose!
Authorities are searching for a vicious dog attacking people in Downtown Park!
If you see this deceptively cute beast, do not approach it!
Save yourself!
Alt Text in Word
Alt Text in Canvas
Alt Text in Google Sites
Core Skill 3: �Make content readable
Core Skill 3 includes:
Plain Language
Reading Level
Aa
Fonts & Formatting
Descriptive Links
Plain Language Tips
Plain Language in Action
Check out Digital.gov's Plain Language Guide Series for more.
Before | After |
Timely preparation, including structural and non-structural mitigation measures to avoid the impacts of severe winter weather, can avert heavy personal, business and government expenditures. Experts agree that the following measures can be effective in dealing with the challenges of severe winter weather. | Severe winter weather can be extremely dangerous. Consider these safety tips to protect your property and yourself. |
Reading Level
Public-facing content should aim for an 8th grade reading level or lower.
Use a tool like Hemingway to quickly check your content’s reading level.
Core Skill 4:�Use color carefully
Core Skill 4 includes:
Color Contrast
Color With Meaning
Color Contrast
Everybody sees color differently!
So, we can’t rely on our eyes to tell us if something has enough color contrast.
How to Check Color Contrast
Google Sites �Demo
A11y Impact Survey
Q&A
Questions? Ask us!
Thank You!