Web-based Networking Training Report
Mr. Kawamura, a resource person (left), with participation of the training course
The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) Project organized the "Regional Workshop on Web-based Networking" from 21 July-1 August 2003 in close collaboration with the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).
Ms. Panit Nithithanprapas,the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, as well as Ms.Keiko Okaido, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN ESCAP, and Dr.Thaweesak Koanantakool, Director-General of the NECTEC, were present for the Opening Ceremony at the United Nations Conference Center.
The purpose of the workshop was to promote the concept of information and web accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and create an accessible network for persons and organizations working for PWDs in the Asia and Pacific region. As an outcome of the workshop, accessible websites created by representatives from 11 countries during the workshop will be linked to the website of the APCD project, which shall serve as information resources for PWDs.
Information accessibility for PWDs is one of the priority areas in the UN ESCAP BIWAKO Millennium Framework (BMF) for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. It clearly targets that, "by 2005, PWDs should have at least the same rate of access to the Internet as other citizens". This workshop will definitely facilitate implementation of the target.
Twenty-two participants from governmental and nongovernmental sectors were invited from 11 countries, namely Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam to participate in the workshop. Among the 22 trainees, four were visually impaired, one hearing impaired and six physically disabled, including three wheelchair users.
Seven resource persons from 4 countries, Japan, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States, who are experts on information accessibility for PWDs led the workshop. Three of the resource persons were visually impaired. Mr. Markus Gylling and Mr. Masafumi Nakane were the main lecturers for 7 of the 11 days, and participated in the preparation and evaluation of the meetings as well.
All trainees created highly accessible websites by the end of the workshop after learning the 1) significance of information accessibility for PWDs, 2) Biwako Millennium Framework/Information Accessibility, 3) ICT assistive devices for PWDs, 4) method of creating a highly accessible website, and 5) future development of web technology.
The accessible websites made by the trainees contain either their country profile on ICT for PWD or an introduction to their organizations. Most trainees stated that the workshop was useful for their work and expressed appreciation for the resource persons.
The 2nd Workshop on Web-based Networking is scheduled for June 2004. We hope that the 1st workshop was an incentive for the participants to continue to develop their skills.
The following comments are from resource persons who contributed to the implementation of the Workshop.
] "Towards Accessible Web:
To Realize Equal Access to Information"
Introduction
Mr. Masafumi Nakane
The amount of information and number of services provided on the Web has increased dramatically which has opened a whole new world of access to information for those who have difficulty accessing the conventional media. This can only be true, however, if the Web site providing the information and services is designed in an accessible manner. This article emphasizes the importance of Web accessibility and explains the key concept of accessible Web, along with the impact that the APCD's training program can have in improving accessibility of the Web.
Importance of the Web Accessibility
In recent years, the Web has become a new media for information distribution and service provision in many countries. This media is especially powerful for people who have difficulty in accessing conventional media without help from others. Examples include, the visually impaired for whom it is difficult or impossible to obtain information from printed media, persons hard of hearing who may have difficulty accessing information provided through broadcasts, etc.
Achieving access to information and services increases the opportunity for individuals to become actively involved in society, ranging from leisure activities to employment, thus fostering their independence. It is also important to note that an increasing number of public services are now provided on the Web. This indicates that the ability to use the Web is becoming as important as having access to other basic infrastructure in our daily living. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain the accessibility of information and services on the Web and insure that everyone can benefit from them.
] Concept of Accessible Web
Generally Websites are not designed to be fully accesible for persons with disabilities. If the Web is fully accessible, persons with disabilities can make use of the information or services provided on the Web as effectively as others. To enhance a better understanding of the concept, a few examples of accessibility issues commonly encountered by Web users are illustrated below.
Example 1
If a Web page contains a few pictures and they represent important information, some users, including the following, cannot obtain the information.
- users with inadequate eye-sight to see the picture.
- users who do not have a large enough screen to display the picture, such as users of small portable devices.
- users with very slow Internet connection.
The page can be made accessible if a text adequately describing each picture is added.
Example 2
If a speech is only provided in audio format, the following users cannot obtain the information:
- users who are hard of hearing
- users of devices without sound playback capability
- users in a quiet environment where it is not practical to play any sound, for instance in a library, office, etc.
This content can be made accessible by providing the same content in text, either as synchronized captions/subtitles, or as a separate page.
Example 3
If a page contains functionalities that require users to use a mouse, and are not accessible through a keyboard, users including the following cannot make use of the page.
- users of devices without a mouse or other pointing devices, such as mobile phones
- users with a visual impairment who cannot keep track of, or control the mouse pointer
- users with a physical impairment who cannot control the mouse.
This page can be made accessible by enabling the functionality to be used through the keyboard as well as the mouse.
] APCD's Training and Web Accessibility
"As one of the instructors of the Training on the Webbased Networking, I was able to foresee the possible contributions the trainees and the training program could make in improving Web accessibility in the Asia-Pacific region. Most trainees went back to their countries with sufficient understanding of information accessibility as well as the basics of technical details needed to develop a Web site. This knowledge can be used to further expand their understanding and experience in this field.
Some trainees will directly benefit from the knowledge and experience gained from the training as they develop their Websites, while others may not utilize them directly. It is important, however, that they understand the concept and technical issues as many of them are likely to be involved in significant activities, such as conducting another training program, advocacy to raise awareness toward this issue, policy-making, etc. With sufficient and accurate knowledge, their involvement in such activities can be much more effective with the outcome of the activities being more practical and greatly expanded.
] Trainee's Comments
Ms. Sainimili Tawake, Trainee from Fiji
Accessibility is a well known word used by Disability Experts when promoting "freedom from barriers". More discussion has taken place on access to information and more devices are designed in various countries to accommodate accessibility to information for PWDs.
Here in the Pacific, access to information is a crying need of many disability institutions let alone PWDs. Many of our disability institutions do not acquire proper information facilities which include computer hardware, appropriate programs, assistive technological devices, computer laboratories, and so on.
In this day and age, much current information is disseminated electronically and we, in the Pacific are not very fortunate in obtaining such information due to the unavailability of such existing technological and accessible devices. Another aspect is the time factor of getting linked up to the Web at a greater cost.
I was very fortunate to be able to participate in this regional web-based and networking workshop and expose myself to many various devices used to assist persons with diverse abilities. The inclusion of accessibility was a very important component in the ICT two weeks training and I was astounded to learn how accessibility can be part of this world of information. During the training, my mind kept focusing on how we, in the Pacific can address this issue of access to information which will enable us to fully contribute to accessible communication and information sharing. I know there is a big task ahead of me and that is to utilize my skills learned in the Pacific which is where my heart belongs."
