The concept of the Web for All is something that we hold dear, but sometimes it feels like we are holding on to it for dear life! There is plenty of knowledge sharing about Web Standards and best practices, but too many opinions about what a website really is. If you ask a designer, a developer and a marketer, you will probably get 3 different answers and this can be a tad problematic when you only have one website. So I set out to find a solution, stopped thinking about the medium and started thinking about what the word Design really meant. Things that are designed are invariably products of some sort and it became clear that the internet is a product that people interact with using technology. I reflected on those who inspire me, such as Dieter Rams, whose ten principles of good design are as relevant now on the internet as they were when he first uttered them. And then I looked to Frank Lloyd Wright, the godfather of Inclusive Design in Architecture. With these parallels to hand, it is quite simple. Applying the principles of Inclusive Design to building websites makes sense, but existing technologies and practices in order to ensure its successful implementation is where we are at now. Presenting the principles and how they can be applied to the web, and interspersing these with hands on, practical advice will provide both a breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding.
Ian Pouncey is a Web Developer. He believes that the core principles of Inclusive Design should be part and parcel of every good Web Developer's knowledge base and skill set, so feels no need for prescriptive job titles.
Ian believes that Accessibility and Inclusion are fundamental human rights and this is reflected in his approach to his work as a developer, as well as in his advocacy activities.
He represents the BBC on the W3C Education & Outreach Working Group (EOWG) and is also a member of the UK Government's eAccessibility Forum.
Sandi Wassmer is a Human Rights Internet Marketer. Yes, it is a made up term, but that is the way she sees it.
As Managing Director of digital agency, Copious, she is healthily obsessed with Inclusive Design, creating great Internet experiences for all by building websites, that are beautiful, accessible and usable.
Sandi is a W3C Invited Expert member and participates in the Open Web Education Alliance (OWEA) and the Education & Outreach Working Group (EOWG).
Sandi also writes, speaks, tweets, blogs and advocates about a whole range of issues from disability rights to accessibility and social inclusion, such as writing a weekly blog for sight loss charity Action for Blind People and working with UK Government in writing and editing the eAccessibility Action Plan.
