Addressing Access and Accessibility Through Usability and Design: Ideas and Approaches for Web Communication, Technical Communication and Localization
From April 24–25, I attended the University of Strasbourg’s annual Symposium on Accessibility and Usability in Technical Communication. I participated in various pre-symposium meetings on April 23 as well, particularly because of my long-standing role managing instructor interventions—an area I’ve overseen for the past ten years.
Attending this event was a valuable opportunity to connect with the TCLoc master’s program community, which includes both students and instructors from across the globe—from Greenland to Nigeria, South Africa, and throughout Europe.
The symposium, organised by Kirk St. Amant (Louisiana Tech University) and hosted by the Université de Strasbourg’s TCLoc Masters and CAWEB programmes (whose director is Renate de la Paix), was a well-executed and inspiring gathering. It featured an international audience, including Erasmus students from numerous countries, and offered diverse perspectives on accessibility, usability, and emerging technologies in technical communication.
I myself presented on “Usability and Design in the Age of Generative AI: Examining the Impact of GenAI on Accessibility and User Experience.” (tl;dr: Human in the loop!)
Other noteworthy presentations included:
I was also fortunate to meet and exchange ideas with several more inspiring colleagues, including:
- Ray Gallon: *Non-Human Agents: What Role in Diverse Populations?*
- Martin Schuler (ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences): “Using AI to Fight the Care Crisis: A Usability Study”
- Lusine Zilfimyan (Yerevan State University): “The Influence of Information Design on Economic Decision-Making”
- Drew Eisenhauer: “Making Technical Documentation more Accessible: A Review of Recent Research from the University of Strasbourg”
- Frances Gordon (Narratology)
- Sussi Jenssen (Greenlandic-Danish-English translator)
- Anna Zhyrnova (a talented technical communicator currently based in a conflict zone)
- Tünde Lendvai-Szűcs (Hungarian master’s student)
- Hanna-Katharina Meyer, CPACC
- Leonie Saremba (Neptune Software)
- Pavel Zemliansky, Ph.D, (Oslo Metropolitan University)
And these English Professors presented as a panel on “Design Across Borders: UX, Localization, and Cultural Competency“:- Carolyn Gubala, University of California, Davis and University of Strasbourg, France
- Tiffany Bourelle, University of New Mexico and University of Strasbourg, France
- Julianne Newmark, University of New Mexico and Tampere University
- Maija Surakka, Tampere University
The symposium provided rich insights into accessibility in technical documentation, particularly for individuals with special needs. While some perspectives revealed gaps in understanding, especially for those of us with personal experience in disability advocacy, the event fostered meaningful dialogue around it. The exchange was encouraging for the future of accessibility.
The symposium also brought together a wonderful group of fellow readers, travelers, knitters, and crocheters. And of course, we enjoyed excellent meals at traditional Alsatian restaurants.
If you want to know more about the Firehead partner University of Strasbourg TCLoc or CAWEB programmes at the University of Strasbourg, you can check them out here:
TCLoc – University of Strasbourg Online Master’s Degree in Technical Communication and Localization
CAWEB – University of Strasbourg Master’s Degree in Web Communication, Accessibility & UX Design
Note that both of these masters are delivered in English.
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