Online Course on Designing Accessible Web Forms

Instructor:
Jon Gunderson, PhD
University of Illinois

Dates and Registration:
Dates:      October 27th to December 1st (5 weeks)
Location:   On-line, mostly synchronous and some asynchronous activities
Cost:       $175 (NOTE: $25 discount to WOW members, educators, and
            government employees) 

Registration link: http://www.webprotraining.org/AccessibleForms.html

Problems of Web Design

Creating web forms that are accessible to people with disabilities requires
understanding of the labeling features of HTML markup and how browsers
interpret labeling markup for assistive technologies like screen readers. The
course will start by using simulations to help participants understand the
issues people with disabilities face when using the web. Participants will
learn the basics of labeling form controls, how to indicate required controls
and provide feedback on invalid responses in a way that is usable by people
with disabilities. Examples of more complex labeling of form controls for
dates, phone numbers, validation codes and high density surveys will be
included in the course. Participants will learn CSS techniques to layout form
controls without using tables and how to highlight the active form control
using CSS pseudo elements. The last part of the course will provide a preview
of the form labeling capabilities of the new Accessibility Rich Internet
Applications (ARIA) specifications which provide new capabilities to label
form controls and provide accessible feedback on form validation as required
by the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. 

Who Should Participate in the Course?

This course is designed for web developers interested in learning about the
disability access issues faced by people with disabilities in using the web
and how web forms can be designed to be accessible to people with
disabilities. Participants should be familiar with HTML coding and the form
elements. Knowledge of basic CSS techniques and javascripting will be
helpful, but not a required part of the course. 


Jon Gunderson, PhD
Coordinator Information Technology Accessibility
Disability Resources and Educational Services

Rehabilitation Education Center
1207 S. Oak St., Room 86
Champaign, IL  61820
217/244-5870

More information at:
Accessible Forms
http://formsonline.cita.illinois.edu/

Illinois Center for Information Technology and Web Accessibility
http://www.cita.illinois.edu/

Jon Gunderson, PhD
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/jongund/www/