AccessComputing

It is important for students, including those with disabilities, to communicate with their  advisors about their disability-related needs and accommodations. Several tools can help facilitate these conversations. They include mentoring contracts, annual evaluations, and individual development plans.

The Teach Access initiative pulls together leading technology companies, academic institutions and advocacy organizations—including AccessComputing and AccessEngineering—who are interested in increasing information about accessibility in computing education.

The Teach Access Tutorial provides best practices for making accessible mobile and web apps. Via hands-on exercises and reference guides, tutorial users can learn about aspects of writing accessible code like headings, image tags, keyboard navigation and ARIA standards as well as design principles for accessibility related to color contrast, text size, and conveying meaning through color.

When employees across a company – in engineering, design, and development roles – have an understanding of accessibility, rather than just a handful of employees in an accessibility department, it can lead to improved accessibility of products developed and services offered by the company. To achieve this goal, Teach Access is encouraging employers to include in job descriptions required or preferred skill, knowledge and/or experience about accessibility. This strategy raises awareness of job seekers of the importance of these skills.