CSCI 4830 Special Topics in Computer Science: Accessible Web Design

Instructor Contact:

Howard Kramer at hkramer@colorado.edu.

About the Course:

This is an intermediate level course for designing web sites and digital material which are not only accessible for persons with disabilities but also effective and usable across the spectrum of user abilities and backgrounds and the variety of device platforms. This course will review standards and guidelines for usability and accessibility, focusing on the concepts of Universal Design, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and accessibility best practices. As an intermediate level course students should be familiar with the basic concepts of web accessibility, such as the importance of structured and semantic web design. This course will cover the specific HTML markup, CSS and JavaScript for designing accessible sites.

Course objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will:

Theory / History

• Be able to apply user-centered and universal design strategies and techniques to the conception, development and implementation of websites and applications
• Students will learn about the theory of user-centered design and other design theories such as design thinking and the use of personas in order to provide a foundation for the development of inclusive and accessible web and digital interfaces
• Students will learn about the history of accessibility rights, the importance of inclusion in the digital environment and the laws and regulations applicable to web and digital accessibility

Design

• Students will have the opportunity to develop accessible web components such as interactive forms (with error checking and warnings), widgets, pop-ups and dialogues
• For a final project students will incorporate the skills learned in the class to design or redesign a website or mobile application

In addition to the design theories mentioned above, students will enhance their capability to apply color theory, learn about how design interacts with human cognition and perception and using design theories such as Norman’s concepts