Get the most out of your accessibility expert
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The document discusses how to optimize the use of accessibility experts for web projects. It recommends using experts for training, guidance, and support, rather than having them write requirements, code, or do all the testing. The four phases of a project - define, design, do, and deliver - are examined, with suggestions for how experts can best contribute to each phase, such as helping to set goals in define and reviewing requirements in design. It emphasizes that experts should train teams rather than do the work themselves, and act as good teammates and teachers.
Get the most out of your accessibility expert
- 1. Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr @OlivierNourry GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR ACCESSIBILITY EXPERT CSUN 2012 - WEB-018 1
- 2. What is it about? In the Accessibility field, Expert resources are: • Limited • Expensive Yet, necessary in most cases. Let’s explore ways to use this peculiar resource in a smart way. Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 2
- 3. Who can it be useful for? Certainly: • Project Owners • Project Managers Possibly: • Procurement Managers • Accessibility Consultants Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 3
- 4. Why experts? When one starts considering Web Accessibility, it feels like this… Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 4
- 5. An overwhelming challenge… Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 5
- 6. …for which we are not well-equipped Lots of available Some tools available, documentation, but: but: • Rather impenetrable for the • They seem undersized for the newcomer task • Not every answer is in the • They do not solve problems – books they are just tools Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 6
- 7. Fortunately, some people can take the challenge up Me??? Well, not exactly him, but people who know this stuff: Accessibility Experts Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 7
- 8. Why optimization is necessary Available Expert time is: – Rare – Not cheap Too often, it’s an extra cost that was not budgeted So we need to be smart when spending it… Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 8
- 9. OPTIMIZING EXPERT TIME FOR A WEB PROJECT Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 9
- 10. How to do this? Basic principle of resources management: Use people for what they are best at That means: • Know what Accessibility Experts are valuable for • Know when someone else is better fitted for the task Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 10
- 11. What do accessibility experts bring with them? Knowledge • They know the answers to your questions (or where to find them) • They understand the users’ needs Experience • They have gone through that several times already Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 11
- 12. In the perspective of a Web project Whatever your project management system is, you will go through 4 phases: Define What you want to do. Design How you are going to do it. Do When you, errrr… Do. Deliver When actual people can start using what you have done. Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 12
- 13. Practical application Let’s see how we can optimize a key task for each phase: – Define: initial choices – Design: requirements – Do: coding – Deliver: testing Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 13
- 14. Define: initial choices 1/2 Experts can make you avoid costly initial mistakes, thanks to their experience. What you can ask to your Accessibility Expert • To help you set realistic goals • To assess the frameworks and systems you have chosen • To help you with your requests for proposals Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 14
- 15. Define: initial choices 2/2 Don’t leave the choice of your CMS to your Accessibility Expert only. • There is much more than accessibility only to consider. Many other factors are critical. • Accessibility must be a core requirement, but can not be the only one. Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 15
- 16. Design: requirements 1/2 Always remember: Things do not happen by chance or by accident. Accessibility must be set as a requirement. What you can ask to your Accessibility Expert • To review your requirements or test plans • To alter your Definition Of Done (DoD) to include relevant accessibility items Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 16
- 17. Design: requirements 2/2 Don’t have them write the whole specs for you. • It’s a very time consuming process • It’s not a guarantee that all your functional expectations will be met Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 17
- 18. Do: coding 1/2 Coding is a key activity for accessibility. It’s a prerequisite for the accessibility of the whole. What you can ask to your Accessibility Expert • To train your teams • To provide on-going support • To produce technical notes, guidelines, code snippets, etc. Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 18
- 19. Do: coding 2/2 Don’t have them code instead of your teams. • Being a good coder requires a specific skill set. • Most accessibility experts are decent coders, but the best coders for your project are already in your teams. Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 19
- 20. Deliver: testing 1/2 Technical testing for Accessibility is preliminary to users testing. It requires specific tests, but no specific technique. What you can ask to your Accessibility Expert • To train your teams • To prioritize testing based on users needs • To advise you on testing tools Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 20
- 21. Deliver: testing 2/2 Don’t have them test everything, all the time. • Acquiring the testing techniques is affordable; not expert time. • Save your expert time for difficult subjects: rich interfaces, media content, user experience. • Reminder: Technical testing is meant to avoid main pitfalls. There is no substitute for actual users tests. Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 21
- 22. Let’s wrap it up The best uses of Expert time: • Training • Guidance • Support Not such a good idea: • Anything outside their expertise area • Production (of requirements, code, tests) Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 22
- 23. To conclude: which qualities should your expert demonstrate? Being a good teammate To integrate smoothly with your teams and processes. Being a good teacher They will train and support your teams, extensively. They’d better be good at it. Being pragmatic To know when they are needed, and when they should step out and let others do the job. Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 23
- 24. Questions welcome! Olivier Nourry Business Development Manager at Qelios @OlivierNourry about.me/oliviernourry Olivier NOURRY – Qelios.fr CSUN 2012 – WEB-018 @OlivierNourry 24