The problem:
In the beginning of 20th century, accessibility started from a restricted application but nowadays it has become more comprehensive due to a better understanding of digital barriers in the world. Designers are not aware of how digital barriers restrict accessibility for different users. It should not be forgotten that accessibility for everyone will increase the whole citizens’ quality of life. Its been a myth and mindset that accessibility should be an afterthought, its hard and expensive, accessible designs are ugly. Thus, it’s important to raise awareness among the developer and tester communities for a better implementing of accessibility.
We proactively take part in conducting awareness programs, events, seminars & conferences for the benefit of educational, corporate and policy makers in implementing accessibility in learning process and social inclusion.
The quality training programs in web and document accessibility is very essential for web leaders, content creators, and site developers. Because it may be difficult for everyone on a team who needs to know about accessibility to attend conferences or local training sessions, we offer online course materials and Instructor lead training (ILT) programs. We also conduct workshops in IIITB campus to benefit a larger audience with interactive training modules designed and hosted by industry experts.
Often times its observed that HR leads under diversity & inclusion policies have little or less knowledge about digital accessibility barriers while providing special accommodation. We conduct comprehensive training programs to give a better understanding of digital accessibility problems faced by people with special needs.
Mostly, people with disabilities are hired on a temporary basis in the testing projects. Software testing and Accessibility testing is one of the cornerstones to manage risks within software development life cycle. It has matured from a side activity to a full-blown profession with its own domain and technical experts. The IT revolution in India has created many jobs that were non-existent earlier. Moreover, it is a sector which is accident-free and ideally suited for the visually impaired. Many technological advancements, development of special screen reader software and assistive devices have made training and performance of tasks easier than before.
There is a real need of training programs for the visually impaired to pursue job opportunities with the help of a unique workshops on Software Testing and Accessibility Testing that should resulted in a regular source of livelihood.
With this intent, IIITB in association with NGOs conduct crash courses that covers fundamentals of Software testing and Accessibility Testing. Candidates will be exposed to various methodologies in Software Testing. The training program will give them an in-depth knowledge of what is accessibility, importance of accessibility testing, various positive impacts of an accessible design. They will be engaged in various group discussions like usability vs. accessibility, various types of disabilities and challenges faced by them in Information & Communication technology and different ways to address them.