Internet Librarian International 2003 Conference - 25-27 March 2003

The following sessions have been accepted for the Internet Librarian International 2003 Conference to be held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Birmingham on 25-27^th March 2003.

1. Isn't Web Site Accessibility Too Difficult To Implement?

Type:

A 45 minute panel session on "Isn't Web Site Accessibility Too Difficult To Implement?

Abstract (up to 100 words)

Talks on the desirability of Web site accessibility are featured regularly at ILI conferences. Delegates are likely to be familiar with W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative and legislation such as SENDA and DDA in the UK and 508 in the US. But although the desirability of Web site accessibility is widely acknowledged the difficulties and costs of measuring and implementing accessibility are often ignored. It can be difficult to raise such concerns without appearing to be 'politically incorrect'.
In this panel session Lawrie Phipps of the TechDis service will argue Web site accessibility can, and should, be implemented. Brian Kelly, UKOLN, will argue that although accessibility is desirable, organisations cannot sign a blank cheque for ensuring widespread accessibility, and that there is a need for more open debate on what can and what can't be achieved. David Sloan, University of Dundee will argue that one should not address the accessibility of a Web site without also address its usability.

Objectives Of The Session

By the end of the session audience members will be aware of some of the difficulties which need to be faced when ensuring the Web sites comply with accessibility guidelines and will be aware of the approaches which are being taken within the UK Higher Education community.

Speakers

Brian Kelly (UKOLN), Lawrie Phipps (TechDis) and David Sloan (University of Dundee)

Biographical Details

Brian Kelly is UK Web Focus - a JISC-funded post which advises the UK's higher and further education communities on Web developments. Brian is also a project managers for the QA Focus post - another JISC-funded post which seeks to ensure that JISC-funded digital library projects comply with standards and best practices. Brian works at UKOLN, a national centre of expertise in digital information management, which is based at the University of Bath.
David Sloan is Project Lead of the Digital Media Access Group, a Web accessibility research and consultancy group based in the Division of Applied Computing at the University of Dundee. The group have provided Web accessibility audits and advice to a number of clients in the HE, commercial and public sectors. David previously worked with the Disability and Information Systems in Higher Education project (DISinHE), the predecessor to TechDIS. David was originally a cartographer, having graduated BSc in Topographic Science, before an MSc in Applied Computing led him to an interest in Web design and content, and specifically usability and accessibility issues.
Dr Neil Witt is coordinator of the Communications and Learning Technologies Research (CoLT) group at the University of Plymouth. Neil is currently seconded to the Institute for Science Education (ISE) and is a TechDis Associate. CoLT and the ISE have been involved in eLearning and eTraining initiatives at a national and European level. Neil currently leads a number of web accessibility projects aimed at developing strategies to assist with the institutional requirements of the recently introduced Special Education Needs and Disabilities Act. Neil is also a founder and director of ico3.com, a University spin out company where he manages a portfolio of accessible Web sites for a range of clients.

Materials

[About The Talk]

2. HTML Is Dead! A Web Standards Update

Type

A 45 minute talk on "HTML Is Dead! A Web Standards Update".

Abstract (up to 100 words)

We are now familiar with HTML. But awareness of new formats such as XML and related technologies may not be so widespread. This talk describes the original Web architecture, which was successful due to its simplicity. The limitations of the original Web architecture will be described and an overview of developments to Web standards which are being coordinated by the W3C will be given. You will learn why HTML is dead and how XML killed it. You will also hear about related formats such as CSS, SVG and SMIL as well as XSLT - which is reviving HTML in a new format known as XHTML.

Objectives Of The Session

By the end of the session, audience members will be aware of the limitations of the original architecture of the Web and of the developments which the W3C is coordinating which aim to address the limitations and to develop richer functionality. In particular the audience will be aware of the limitations of HTML as a file format, of the importance of XML and how XHTML, in conjunction with CSS, can provide a migration path. Other elements of the XML family will be described including XLink, XPointer, XML Schemas and XSLT, together with important XML formats such as SVG and SMIL. The audience will be aware of how a metadata framework for the Web was developed based on RDF.

Speaker

Brian Kelly (UKOLN)

Materials

[About The Talk]