Page 2 - Mainstreamer e-Magazine Volume 5, April 2024

MESSAGE FROM THE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Makmor Tumin

f we understand accessibility for Persons with technologies. There are two basic steps to ensure
Disabilities (PWD) operationally as the ability of that your website is accessible. First is to conduct
Ithose who are physically impaired to physically a web accessibility audit. The best auditors are
navigate through a building based on its structural those with or have had impairments themselves.
layout, we might be technically right. However, if Second is to design your website according to the
we only understand physical barriers as the only Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.
accessibility problem among PWDs, we would In short, accessibility issues are completely different
be wrong. For instance, those who are hearing depending on the different groups among PWDs.
impaired have no problems accessing the buildings, This edition brings together diverse perspectives
but what matters to them more might be the and experiences from both the PWDs and non-
accessibility of non-verbal communication, such PWDs communities, encapsulating and discussed
as the presence of an unimpaired sign language the topic of inclusiveness across multiple frontiers –
user to translate verbal communication for them. from the importance, challenges and way forward
If there is a policy to make sure that all buildings to achieve the notions. It extend to discussions
accommodate PWD-accessibility, such policy should on policy affecting the livelihood of PWDs and
also accommodate the hearing impaired. wrap with inspirational stories from PWDs on their
How about accessibility for those who are journey, contributions and aspirations concerning
blind? They have no issues accessing the building, the future.
and they have no issues understanding spoken The magazine’s specific objectives are as follows:
language. Many people are unaware that through a. To provide a platform for individuals with
voice assistants for the visually impaired, many disabilities to voice their ideas and concerns.
blind people are able to access digital materials. The
major problem of accessibility among the blinds b. To enable individuals with disabilities to use
in PWD is the inaccessibility of materials in the their skills and talents in electronic media.
websites that are friendly for voice assistants - the c. To recognize the knowledge, skills, and talents
lack of picture descriptions for the visually impaired of individuals with disabilities in order to
for example promote and improve their employability in
According to Mr Muhamad Nadhir Abdul Nasir, the labour market.
Chairman of the Communications, Advocacy and d. To provide individuals with disabilities
Human Rights Committee, Society of the Blind and those interested in disability issues
in Malaysia, web accessibility must fulfill four the opportunity to earn income through
very important principles - perceivable, operable, honorariums.
understandable and robust. The design, interface UM Press is the publisher of this magazine. We
and content of an accessible website must take into would like to thank the ASEAN University Network
account the diverse methods of interaction between on Disability and Public Policy (AUN-DPPnet) for
humans and devices. In other words, a website funding our initiative.
should not only accommodate users of a mouse
pointer, but also users of screen reading software,
users who use keyboards, and users of assistive