Approaching Web Accessibility as a Community of Practice: Enablers, Challenges & Lessons Learned
Abstract: In November 2010, a community of practice was formed at McMaster University around accessible teaching and learning with an emergent focus on web accessibility. The nimbleness of the community of practice structure allowed the action-oriented group to plan and undertake a number of web accessibility initiatives, including the development of a centralized accessibility resource website for the university. The session will highlight the enablers and challenges in mobilizing web accessibility projects as a community of practice, and discuss how – in conjunction with official committees formed to address policy change at the institutional level – communities of practice can play a critical role in addressing attitudinal barriers and supporting a culture change as part of a broader web accessibility strategy.