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October 2019

Good morning <<First Name>>!

We hope you're having a great week, and have a relaxing weekend planned.

This month, you'll be meeting one of our talented Website Analysts, the lovely Simonette Carter.
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Simonette is a Website Analyst with WebKey IT, based in Perth, Western Australia. With a background in linguistics and publishing, Simonette is passionate about the promotion of inclusivity in the digital sphere. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering at Horsepower Australia (formerly Riding for the Disabled Association) and experimenting in the kitchen.


 

Plain English for Digital Accessibility

As human beings, we use language, both spoken and written, to communicate to each other. We have all had the experience of reading or hearing something that was so jumbled, over-complicated, or poorly-written, that we failed to understand the message that was being conveyed. Add to this the challenges that a person with a physical, cognitive, or developmental disability may face, and you will see why the use of Plain, or Simple English is integral in accessible design.
At the centre of accessibility is the concept of inclusivity. All users must be given an equal opportunity to access the information they require, when they require it.
Some ways to write in Plain English include:

  1. Using commonly understood or simple words, instead of more complex ones, for example:
    • help, instead of assistance
    • second-last, instead of penultimate
  2. Avoid legalisms or acronyms, whose meaning may not be well known, if at all.
  3. Avoid using slang or idioms. This type of language is particularly inaccessible to those who are English as a Second Language speakers, as it depends the user having specific cultural knowledge to interpret abstract or obscure concepts.
  4. Use short and clear sentences.

Using Plain English will enable you to communicate your message to as many people as possible, in the most clear and effective manner.

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Judging Panel- Australian Access Awards

The role of The Centre for Accessibility is to empower the accessibility movement and encourage organisations to implement digital access when designing online resources. In 2019 we are excited to announce the inaugural Australian Access Awards, an annual event celebrating organisations that have successfully implemented accessibility in their digital campaigns or resources. And our own Amanda Mace is on the Judging Panel!
Read more here


Article: CSR, ROI and other TLA’s

(By Director, Dr Vivienne Conway)

At Web Key IT we have a few things that are tremendously important to us as a business. While we are a corporate entity, we exist to make life a little better for people who might struggle in our progressively digital society.

We have a very strong commitment to people living with issues that affect their ability to interact with digital services such as websites, applications and documents they need to access. I do quite a lot of public speaking because I made a commitment to myself to never turn down an opportunity to speak up for the rights of people with disabilities if I can possibly accommodate it.
Read more here


Upcoming Events Green Calendar Icon Graphic

Apple Accessibility Event 2019
12th of November 2019
Deloitte Digital
Perth WA
More details here
 
Monthly Perth Web Accessibility & Inclusive Design Meetup
19th of November, 2019
Dome Cafe
149 James Street, Northbridge WA
Read more about the Accessibility Meetup group

Australian Access Awards
3rd of December 2019
Online
More information here

Australasian Conference on Information Systems
9th-11th of December, 2019
Fremantle, WA
Register Here
 
Australian Accessibility Conference (OZeWAI and PWAC)
11th-13th February 2020
Perth, WA
More information here

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If you haven't already, take a look at our Facebook page for daily updates and some excellent accessibility articles and resources, there really is a lot on there. We also have Twitter, LinkedIn and our new YouTube Channel! All these links are below for future reference, so have a click around, and share this with your friends.

Please do remember to take a moment to look at our website and as always, we look forward to hearing your thoughts, comments and any feedback you may have!
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