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updating main TAtYC page. #36

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updating main TAtYC page. #36

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27 changes: 20 additions & 7 deletions resources/teaching_accessibility_to_young_coders/index.md
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---


This resource is being created to find ways to incorporate accessibility principles into early education, as early as the introduction of computer science (or earlier).
## Abstract
The growing emphasis on accessibility in technology is driven by current and forthcoming legislation, necessitating broader integration of accessibility principles in product development. However, accessibility training typically targets existing product teams with little or no prior knowledge of accessibility, focusing on resolving current issues and embedding these practices into development workflows. While the accessibility community strongly advocates for integrating accessibility early in the development lifecycle — commonly referred to as "Shifting Left" — less attention has been given to incorporating accessibility into foundational education.

The current intent it to:
* Identify or validate the accessibility topics that will resonate, both at the very beginning of computer science education and as kids learn more about HTML, CSS, and digital design
* Brainstorm on the most appropriate and impactful ways to teach that information, which could depend on age and the computer science topics that are being taught
* Create resources to help educator teach accessibility, in the form of learning materials, example websites, and resources for the teachers themselves to learn more
Efforts are underway to include accessibility in higher education curricula, such as computer science programs and coding bootcamps, where it has historically been underrepresented. Resources like those provided by [Teach Access](https://teachaccess.org/) support this mission. Yet, in alignment with the principle of introducing accessibility as early as possible, there is a compelling case for teaching accessibility concepts to children as young as ten. As computer science education is now introduced earlier than ever in schools, accessibility education should evolve alongside it.

This project will explore the feasibility of teaching accessibility principles to young coders, focusing on age-appropriate concepts and practical implementation. It will consider the unique challenges posed by introductory coding platforms, which often prioritize logic and problem-solving over accessibility concerns. By examining how budding coders can learn and apply these principles early, this research aims to foster a generation of developers for whom accessibility is a foundational consideration in their craft.

## Current Status
This resource is currently being developed through the [Advancing Accessibility Resources Community Group](https://www.w3.org/community/adva11yresources/).

Contributions are welcome, particularly from these groups:
* Educators of 11 to 13 year old students primarily, but also of 5-18 year old students (to provide knowledge in creating age appropriate learning materials)
* Accessibility professionals (to help break down accessibility principles to their core intent)
* Writers (to ensure accessibility principles are accurately explained in plain language)
* Designers (to help create interesting and engaging learning materials)

To contribute, please consider joining the community group - only a [W3C account](https://www.w3.org/account/request/) is required to join (which is free).

## Related Links

* [a11yTO Conference Presentation](a11yTO_Conference_Presentation.md) by Brian Elton
* [Learn to Enable](https://www.learntoenable.co.uk/)
* [Project Scope](./scope.md)
* [a11yTO Conference Presentation](a11yTO_Conference_Presentation.md) (Oct 2024) by Brian Elton
* [Learn to Enable](https://www.learntoenable.co.uk/)
* [Teach Access](https://teachaccess.org/)
2 changes: 1 addition & 1 deletion resources/teaching_accessibility_to_young_coders/scope.md
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### Future scope

As this resource develops, we will explore how to incorporate accessibility principles into learning at a younger age (5-10 years old), potentially outside of the context of computer science classes. One intent of this targeting this age group and non-computer science classes is to ensure that accessibility is considered regardless of the educational and professional direction the student takes.
As this resource develops, we will explore how to incorporate accessibility principles into learning at a younger age (5-10 years old), potentially outside of the context of computer science classes. One intent of targeting this age group and non-computer science classes is to ensure that accessibility is considered regardless of the educational and professional direction the student takes.

We will focus on incorporating accessibility principles into computer science and digital design classes, but equally important is to understand accessibility when it comes to digital document creation and digital content creation, as many students will use productivity software throughout their education and into professional lives.

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