Program and slides

Day 1, Tuesday, April 14, 2015:

08.30-09.30
Arrival, coffee and registration

Plenary morning session - Gyllene Salen, ground floor

09.30-9.35

Conference opening by moderators

Moderator for plenary and content sessions

Moderator for the technical sessions

09.35-10.30

Lack of accessibility – a ground for discrimination

Since January 1, 2015 lack of accessibility is a form of discrimination in Sweden. What does the new prohibition mean? Which types of concerns does the Swedish Equality Ombudsman, DO, focus on and why?

10.30-11.00

Digital barriers in Norway

The Norwegian public authority with responsibility for information accessibility, Difi, has begun to monitor accessibility on Norwegian private and public sector websites. The results from the monitoring and examples on flaws that have been documented will be presented.

11.00-11.30

Meantime, in the real world...

We have already seen effects of the new legislation in Sweden, and the slightly older law in Norway, both positive and negative. At the same time Funka develops, on behalf of the EC, a methodology that could be used by EU member states if and when the proposed directive on web accessibility passes. Is this the beginning of red tape and micro-management or an opportunity for innovation and creativity?

11.30-12.30
Lunch is served on the ground floor, possibility to change premises

Track 1: Content, design and navigation - Gyllene Salen, ground floor

12.30-13.15

Designing for extreme users... without trade-offs

When we design for the extreme user, everyone benefits. However, designers, writers and marketing strategists are often understandably concerned that the intriguing interface they have carefully crafted will be lost on the way to making the user experience accessible to all. But in a perfect world the principles on inclusive design results in a better UX for everyone. The important thing is to understand how and why we can go about it.

13.15-14.00

Ask a silly question...

We want users to understand and appreciate what we develop. But how do we, as developers, understand what those users really think? How do we involve these awkward types we call users to be a part in design and development processes? How do we find out what is important for them? Funka is working with organisations and individual users to come up with a method of real user involvement that works for everyone.

14.00-14.15
Coffee break, on both floors, and possibility to change premises

14.15-15.00

Accessibility for the apathetic

Let’s face it. Not all web teams consist of passionate accessibility experts. For the average developer or designer, accessibility can be both intimidating and complex. But there are strategies to integrate accessibility in projects without driving everyone crazy or confused. This lecture demonstrates methods that make the web both better and easier to use.

Track 2: Technology, development and assistive technology - Solliden, upstairs

12.30-13.15

Video – for everyone

MVideo is a format that works well for many users, but only if you do it right. What requirements should be used and what functionality is helping the users? We look at some of the most common players and compare them from an accessibility point of view.

13.15-14.00

A Prosaic Talk About Accessibility

So much of accessibility is about words, what words you choose, how they are written and in what typefaces. Words are the bread and butter of web communication and are paramount for screen reader accessibility, even in highly visual designs. This talk is all about text, from basic text nodes to supplementary text with WAI-ARIA, text in SVG, the pitfalls of ”accessible” fonts and the art of microcopy.

14.00-14.15
Coffee break, on both floors, and possibility to change premises

14.15-15.00

Showcase Skandiabanken: A focus on accessibility gave a better user experience for all

There are many challenges when different technologies are put together into an entirety that is modern, responsive and accessible, all at the same time. Skandiabanken’s goal is an outstanding UX, and the requirements for accessibility increased the quality and created a better solution for all.

Plenary session - Gyllene Salen, ground floor

15.00-15.30

Much more than screen readers

10% of the population use some kind of assistive technology. One per thousand use screen readers. This session demonstrates many ways of controlling a computer (input), and how to get information (output). Some of these you are guaranteed never to have seen before. How are they used and what is required of your website or e-service to make them work?

15.30-16.00
Surprise

Following tradition, we offer a surprise after the first day’s seminars. As usual, we dare to promise that it will be a first time for everyone!

16.00-18.00
Networking and exhibition - Djurgårdssalen, upstairs

Welcome to our exhibition with stations where you can try different assistive technologies, talk to end users, or ask our experts everything you want to know about accessibility. Or, you can just enjoy the view and relax with sparkling wine and canapés while networking with other participants.

An exciting part of the exhibition is Versoteq who will demonstrate how 3D technology can be used to increase accessibility. For instance by letting visitors at museums have a new and more intimate relationship to objects that you are normally not allowed to touch. It is both about fascinating 3D mock-ups on the screen that you can twist and turn, but also exact physical replicas in shape of 3D printed objects that you can touch and feel.

This year you will also have the opportunity to take part in exciting competitions in the Gaming corner. Are you up for the challenge? Try games you thought you knew, but play them in a completely different way. All games are controlled with assistive technology and if you are successful you might win a nice prize!

Day 2, Wednesday, April 15, 2015:

08.00-08.30
If you are only attending today, you are welcome to register. Otherwise, please join us for a cup of coffee before the conference starts.

Planary morning session - Gyllene Salen, ground floor

08.30-09.15

What can we learn from Canada?

After a court ruling where a blind Canadian prevailed against the Government of Canada (GC), the epic task began of training 4000 developers in order to convert 10 million web pages for the Canadian government. They were given only 15 months to accomplish the mammoth effort to transform the GC web presence into an environment inclusive of people with disabilities.

09.15-10.00

Why UX fails: The excruciating results of smart people making bad decisions

This presentation is built on experiences with failed UX projects over the years, what went wrong and how it can be avoided. There are many misconceptions of UX and UI. What can be done to succeed? The talk gives simple steps and checklists to creating great user experiences.

10.00-10.15
Coffee break

10.15-10.45

Web accessibility myths for the mobile generation

A lot of what you thought you knew on accessibility is based on old documentation that no longer applies. With insights gained from recent user research and user testing with disabled and elderly people, this lecture dispels a number of established myths. Instead you will gain new insights and recommendations that work.

Track 1: Content, design and navigation - Gyllene Salen, ground floor

10.45-11.30

Acknowledge the user

From the beginning the Internet meant one-way communication, not much more than a digitised paper. Today, it is a whole different situation; to a much larger extent the Internet is a dialogue between the user and the web service. This requires more from the web service in terms of communicating with and providing feedback to the user. This is an area that is often neglected, and we will give you examples of how to work withit in an efficient way.

11.30-12.30
Lunch is served on the ground floor, possibility to change premises

12.30-13.15

Games and gamification for learning

How can games and design from games be used for educational and other purposes? What is gamification? How can games be used to create change and development? The talk gives insights into how the last years’ of development in games can be applied to digital interfaces in general.

13.15-14.00

Websites that work

Besides being accessible and responsive, your website must also solve the users’ problems or in other ways meet their expectations. What strategies do the users have when searching for information? How can you make sure they find what they are looking for? Can you minimise the time spent on searching? In this talk you will gain new perspectives on things you thought you knew about creating an efficient website.

Track 2: Technology, development and assistive technology - Solliden, upstairs

10.45-11.30

Accessibility with Google Chrome and Android

Several of the tools that Google has developed can be used to improve the accessibility in your apps. Learn more about the screen readers ChromeVox and TalkBack and how they can be used. Google’s Accessibility Developer Tools is another example of the resources that Google provide online for improved accessibility.

11.30-12.30
Lunch is served on the ground floor, possibility to change premises

12.30-13.15

Automatic versus manual testing

What potential is there in automation in measuring accessibility and how well do current tools perform when tested in the real world? Through a series of tests and examples we have documented possibilities and limitations in automatic tools. Which type of errors can the automatic tools find and how do you handle the results?

13.15-14.00

Adaptive Images in responsive design

Smartphones and tablets not only contain more computing power and better browsers than the computers that started the Internet economy. They also have better displays, which demands more of us when we use images. This session will work through tips and tricks to develop future friendly images in our sites and apps.

14.00-14.15
Coffee break on the ground floor, last sessions in Gyllene Salen

Plenary afternoon session - Gyllene Salen, ground floor

14.15-14.55

Letting Go - Creating products and services in a time of disruption

In our globalized, hyper-connected world, users no longer have to wait for us to create experiences for them. As we debate and think, the users are sorting this out on their own. Is it a sign of failure when users choose “good enough”, over your carefully crafted product or service? Or, do you see it as a chance to dive headfirst towards a new reality?

14.55-15.00
Round up

Welcome back next year!

Susanna Laurin, presentation, powerpoint (2,2 Mb), opens in new window