Web Accessibility for Developers: Essential Tools for Inclusive Coding

Web Accessibility for Developers: Essential Tools for Inclusive Coding
January 26, 2019

In this one-day workshop, led by Shopify's Scott Vinkle (Front end Developer and Web Accessibility Advocate), you will explore the core concepts of web accessibility, what it is, and why writing inclusive code is so important. Throughout the workshop, you’ll learn best practices, how to use and test with a screen reader, and how to fix common accessibility issues.

At the end of the day you’ll have updated and fixed a demo website with accessible code that you can take back and implement into your daily workflow!

Why accessibility?

“The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.” — Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web

The Web is fundamentally designed to work for all people, whatever their hardware, software, language, location, or ability. When the Web meets this goal, it is accessible to people with a diverse range of hearing, movement, sight, and cognitive ability.

Accessibility is essential for developers, designers, and organizations that want to create high-quality websites and web tools, and not exclude people from using their products and services.

What will I learn?

The basics of accessibility
Understanding various disabilities
Semantic HTML
Testing with screen readers
Keyboard accessibility
Forms design
Color contrast
ARIA and dynamic components
And much more!

What will I build?

You will fix up a small blog website that is ripe full of accessibility issues! Throughout the day we’ll be looking at various issues and ways to make sure the site is accessible and inclusive for everyone!

What will I need to bring?

A laptop, with your favourite text editor and browser.
If running Windows OS, have NVDA screen reader downloaded and installed.

What are the prerequisites?

An understanding of HTML and CSS.
Basic JavaScript knowledge.

This workshop is facilitated by Scott Vinkle (Front end Developer and Web Accessibility Advocate at Shopify). Lunch will be provided! Please contact us if you have any dietary restrictions.

Refunds for HackerYou workshops will only be given if we are notified 7 days prior to the event.