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By Nitin Dhaware and Nerkar Dnyaneshwar

Did you know that there are many web users all over the universe with different impairments and they could not use the web apps we develop just because they are not accessible? Being blind, Nitin and his colleagues have experienced this and hence in this talk, they underline the importance of Web Accessibility by discussing aspects of WAI-ARIA guidelines, along with the practical demonstrations of accessible forms, tab panels, grids etc., while developing RIAs in Rails.

Nitin is a Rails programmer working at Techvision - a team of MAD (Motivated and Dedicated) people and a company run by him and his visually challenged mates. They are based in India and love programming. Web accessibility is their expertise and passion. Do visit their website (http://techvision.net.in).

Gyani is a Java/J2EE professional and Ruby/Rails newbie. Having worked as a Technical Specialist in IT industry for more than 9 years, 9 months back he decided to join Techvision -- a small start-up run by visually challenged Rubyists. Currently he is playing the role of Technical Mentor cum facilitator for the Techvision team and helping Techvision grow in all the domains, one among them is Accessibility which is their niche.

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The video titled "Empowering Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) with Accessibility" features speakers Nitin Dhaware and Nerkar Dnyaneshwar from Techvision, who emphasize the significance of web accessibility for users with disabilities. In their talk at RailsConf 2014, they address the pressing need for developers to create accessible web applications, focusing on WAI-ARIA guidelines and providing practical demonstrations.

Key points discussed in the video include:  
- **Introduction to Accessibility**: The speakers introduce the concept of accessibility, explaining it as making web applications usable for everyone, particularly those with disabilities. They underline the prevalence of disabilities, noting that around 15% of people globally are affected, which presents a substantial customer base that developers can reach through accessible designs.  
- **Assistive Technologies**: Nitin talks about various assistive technologies such as screen readers (like JAWS, VoiceOver, and Orca), which enable visually impaired users to interact with web applications. These technologies are crucial for understanding and navigating digital content.  
- **Evolution of Rich Internet Applications**: The presentation highlights how rich internet applications have evolved to include more interactive elements compared to traditional web applications. However, many of these new features are not inherently accessible, and this is where WAI-ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) comes into play.  
- **Demonstrations of Accessibility**: Throughout the talk, practical examples are provided using real code snippets to show how to implement ARIA attributes. This includes demonstrating accessible forms that communicate error messages effectively to screen readers, the use of ARIA roles such as 'tab', and creating accessible navigation panels.  
- **Building Accessible Applications**: The speakers stress the importance of following best practices in accessibility to ensure that all users can utilize web applications efficiently. They also share their vision of creating a gem named ‘waiAble’ that would automate the incorporation of accessibility features in Rails applications.

In conclusion, the main takeaways from the presentation are:  
- Accessibility should be a priority for developers to ensure inclusivity in web applications.  
- Implementing assistive technologies and WAI-ARIA guidelines is essential in making applications accessible to individuals with disabilities.  
- There is a significant business case for accessibility, as it opens up the web to a broader audience and can enhance user experience for everyone.

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