Accessibility Training

Learn about Accessibility. A series of online materials are provided to teach users about issues surrounding accessibility of websites and software and the importance of considering them when developing online content.
access.ecs.soton.ac.uk/blog/training

Investigators

Professor Mike Wald
Professor Mike Wald
Principal Investigator

The objective of the training is to provide 60 research postgraduates (more could be accommodated through more workshops) with the skills to improve their understanding of the needs of "customers" in order to foster exploitation of research. This involves gaining an understanding of individual preferences and needs (e.g. disabled, elderly) as well as ensuring all material communicated (e.g. research or entrepreneurial activities and outcomes) is accessible and easy to use. The requirement for enterprises and entrepreneurs not to have discriminatory practices related to disability is paramount and has been mentioned in QAA code of practice (1999) and Disability Discrimination Act (1995/2004) and Equality Act 2010.

Current statistics show that over 50s now control around 80% of the UK's personal wealth and account for 40% of consumer spending while people with disabilities have an estimated annual spending power of £80 billion a year. Neglecting to design for older people and potential impairments is therefore a serious commercial error.

Project originally funded by

University of Southampton

One of the top 15 research universities in the UK and has achieved consistently high scores for its teaching and learning activities.