Accessibility of information or supports available how to use the internet safely

1. Using the Internet in a safe way

Basics on Internet safety

Internet gathers a lot of information, but you must be aware of the risk connected with “being online”. In this handout you will find some examples of behaviours related to the risk of “being online” together with some recommendations of actions to take.

But here are some simple steps you can follow to improve the protection of yourself and your data online (Heston, K., 2020).

STEP 1

Make sure the network you are using to connect to the internet is stable and trusted. Do not choose unknown networks so as to avoid the possibility of hacking data from your device, or geotracking when you have the location function enabled.

STEP 2

Visit only secure websites, which is quite simple to check by identifying whether the website’s address (URL bar) begins with https:// or includes the icon of a “lock”.

Website addresses with misspellings should not be clicked – you may be exposed to a scam or your device might get virus-infected.

STEP 3

When setting passwords, make sure it is unique and that you change it from time to time, which will make it difficult to be uncovered. You can include a combination of upper-case letters and lower-case letters, numbers, symbols or special characters. As a good practice remember to log out of your accounts when accessing them from another device.

STEP 4

Be cautious with entering personal and sensitive information online. You cannot always be sure where the information is stored, how long it will be stored or who has access to it. A good practice is keeping social media accounts or profiles on communicators private so unauthorized persons do not get access to your information.

STEP 5

Clear browsing history so your preferences, data and other online activity history is erased. This is a good practice for maintaining your privacy.

STEP 6

Double check the information you are publishing online and also information about yourself being published by others.

STEP 7

Do not open emails or attachments that are of unknown origin. Do not download files with strange titles or from unfamiliar addresses. If any information you find on the internet looks suspicious it should be an alert that the action was intended to cause harm on your device or steal your data.

STEP 8

Use antivirus software and a firewall, which increases your protection online. Besides protection of your device, you should also consider an additional add-on to the browser that you can download from a legitimate webstore, e.g. Chrome – it will block pop-ups or connections that are not secure, among others.

STEP 9

Identify and combat acts of cyberbullying. When you experience hate speech on social media – in the form of messages/images/videos, receive unwanted emails or someone intentionally embarrasses you online, you should immediately react.

STEP 10

Keep software and applications updated to make sure the above-mentioned steps will be useful and worth your effort to using the internet in a safe way.

Basics on smartphone safety

Although the above steps also apply to smartphones, there are some additional ones. When you are sharing information through a bluetooth connection, set you phone’s bluetooth to “non-discoverable”. Download apps only from verified stores (Google Play for Android and Apple Store for iOS) and only those with good rates. Consider also turning on other features, including “Find My Device” or “Smart Lock” and managing app permissions, increasing the protection of your data (Computerworld, 2018).

For more tips you can go to the article How to Be Safe on the Internet.

2. Websites and accessibility

How online information is viewed is already governed by the device settings. This means you are managing browser settings from the level of your device – with Microsoft after going to “Ease of Access”. You can also do this from the level of your browser after opening it and going to the “Accessibility” settings. From the level of the browser you will be able to choose between a variety of add-ons to install, e.g. Chrome Accessibility extensions.

But there are also other ways of checking if a website is accessible.

You can use the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool or a similar tool, like Color Contrast Accessibility Validator.

More and more websites are also now using an accessibility widget. The features of an accessibility widget will assist in making information better accessible for young people, especially for those with visual and motor impairments, but also dyslexia or other learning disabilities, though the following (the first two listed applicable only for desktops) (Brotherton, C., 2020):

• Keyboard navigation, which means you can navigate through a website with the press of the “Tab” key; this way you can also enable accessibility for visually impaired.
• Cursor – once clicked shows a bigger cursor, twice clicked introduces a black and yellow line to help reading.
• Contrast+ is connected with contrast settings, including dark contrast, increased contrast, light contrast and inverted colours.
• Bigger Text is responsible for changing the font size of text up to four times more, which can be useful if you only want to change the size of font on a single website.
• Pause Animations, to simply stop any animations on screen from their automatic playing.
• Read Page function means that the selected page content is read out loud by a female voice with the selected pace – normal, fast or slow. The text that is being read is highlighted in yellow and in a red bracket.
• Highlight Links, where all links are highlighted in high contrast (yellow on a black background) and underlined.
• Text Spacing enables a three-level feature of including spacing between letters, from light, through moderate to heavy.
• Dyslexia Friendly, which in fact allows the choice between Df (Dyslexia Friendly) and Ab (Legible Fonts), both introducing adjustment to the text itself not images, and the second changing the font to Arial.

You can check if a website has the accessibility widget by searching for the button, most commonly placed at the top right corner of the website – this is how it looks like on the DARE project website:

But, since you are here, this means that at some point you will also be interested in accessible websites with information on mobilities and other opportunities for young people. Here are just a few useful pages to check:

Mov’in Europe website features stories of ambassadors that have participate in mobilities.

European Youth Portal is a compendium for young persons interested in volunteering, working, learning or travelling abroad, on mobilities and also offering additional supportive information.

European Solidarity Corps includes opportunities for young persons to participate in volunteering or traineeship abroad.

Handy is also the Erasmus+ App with information and guidance mobilities.

We also encourage to check calls initiated by the DARE project and the DARE mobile app.

3. Smartphones and accessibility

Smartphones just like PCs and web browsers have special tools to assist users in reading, listening and taking action. Already built in are tools supporting the use of a smartphone by PwVHPIs (people with visual, hearing or physical impairment). This is how the accessibility settings screen looks like on an Android device (it has a similar layout on an iOS device) (Samsung, 2020):

Most importantly the screen reader provides a voice assistant. The visibility enhancements include colours and clarity, and size and zoom options. The hearing enhancements are for adapting sound and subtitle settings. There are also interaction and touch settings, including physical keyboard keys. Devices also have additional advanced settings, depending on the type of device, which can include notifications or voice labelling. The more adjustments made the more accessible information will be (ibid.).

What is more, changing the display mode will already improve the usability of the smartphone, especially by a person with visual impairments.

To find out about different display modes, including inverted colour mode, reduced motion mode, high contrast mode, go to the article entitled Operating System and Browser Accessibility Display Modes.

You can also decide on installing some additional assistive software or apps. VoiceOver screen reader is built into iOS devices and works across all applications.

TalkBack by Google is a screen reader on Android devices, with a TalkBack braille keyboard.

Seeing AI is an intelligent camera application for iOS useful for persons with visual and physical impairments narrating the world around them.

AudioNote 2 – Voice Recorder for iOS connects your notes with audio, a combination of a notepad and voice recorder, so you can easily go back and review information.

More types of apps to explore are available in Google Play Shop for Android and Apple Store for iOS.

Activity 5.1

Module Title	Module 5: Accessibility of information or supports available how to use the internet safely
Activity Title	Website check for accessibility features
Activity Code	A5.1
Duration of the Activity (in minutes)	40 minutes
Type of resource	Activity sheet
Aim of activity	The aim of the activity is to explore accessibility features by using as an example the DARE project website. When you complete this activity, you will increase your awareness of the different types of adjustments on websites in order to make them more user friendly for anyone regardless the disability. As a follow-up you should be motivated to select another website and check if it is user friendly.
Materials Required for Activity	Laptop or tablet with safe and stable Internet access.
Step-by-step instructions	Step 1: Make sure your device is connected to a safe and stable network in order to have access to the Internet. Step 2: Go to the DARE project website available at https://dare-project.de/ and choose your language preference. Step 3: Explore how the homepage structure, content and colours look like. To support you, make use of the following tools: WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool Color Contrast Accessibility Validator Make sure you also check the “Accessibility” settings of your device and inside your browser. Are there any other features on the DARE website you notice that are related to accessibility? STEP 4: Click on the accessibility widget at the top right corner of the page and explore all the features. Reset the features a few times to investigate the results when you combine together a few different features. Which of these accessibility features are helpful in your case? STEP 5: Once you have increased your awareness on the different ways of checking and setting accessibility features on the example of the DARE website, choose a different website – for example a website you use quite often – and investigate how it is adjusted to meet your specific needs in terms of accessibility.

Activity 5.2

Module Title	Module 5: Accessibility of information or supports available how to use the internet safely
Activity Title	Checklist: Basics on Internet safety
Activity Code	A5.2
Duration of the Activity (in minutes)	40 minutes
Type of resource	Activity sheet
Aim of activity	The aim of this activity is to check the safety level of your online activities. For this purpose, you are recommended to follow the steps presented in section 1 of this Module 5. When you complete this activity, you will find out what additional steps to take in order to increase your safety while online. With this activity you will also be in a better position of advising other ambassadors on safe online activities.
Materials Required for Activity	Laptop or tablet with safe and stable Internet access. Text document editor (Notepad, Word or other) – when preparing your checklist on your device. Sheet of paper and pen – when preparing your checklist on paper.
Step-by-step instructions	STEP 1: Go to the module 5, first part of the section 1: Using the internet in a safe way. STEP 2: Go through all the 10 STEPS and prepare a checklist to review if you are following these recommendations while “being online”. You can prepare your checklist in a text document on your computer/tablet or in the form of a sheet paper. Include 3 criteria: yes, to some extent, no. STEP 3: Based on the results from the checklist you have completed, introduce improvements to your device, browser and account settings. STEP 4: For additional recommendations and tips for increasing your safety online go to the article How to Be Safe on the Internet.

Activity 5.3

Module Title	Module 5: Accessibility of information or supports available how to use the internet safely
Activity Title	Scenarios for reacting to cyberbullying incidents
Activity Code	A5.3
Duration of the Activity (in minutes)	40 minutes
Type of resource	Activity sheet
Aim of activity	The aim of the activity is to increase your awareness on the signs and examples of cyberbullying so as to be better prepared to notice them and identify the type, as well as consider how to prevent from such acts. The activity also aims at coming up with scenarios how to react to the examples provide in the activity sheet. With this activity you will be in the position to caution your peers on how to identify and combat potential acts of cyberbullying. As a follow-up you can share your scenarios with other ambassadors to compare approaches.
Materials Required for Activity	Laptop or tablet with safe and stable Internet access. Text document editor (Notepad, Word or other) – when preparing scenarios on your device. Sheet of paper and pen – when preparing scenarios on paper.
Step-by-step instructions	STEP 1: Go to the Signs and Examples of Cyberbullying activity sheet available online. STEP 2: Download the activity sheet to your desktop or view the activity sheet online. STEP 3: Analyse the information on the activity sheet and reflect if you have experienced any signs or examples listed on the activity sheet. STEP 4: Make notes (prepare scenarios) how to react to the examples of cyberbullying from the activity sheet. Consider the circumstances of the cyberbullying incidence, who is the victim and how can the victim react (either herself*himself or with the assistance of an authority figure). You should remember that it is never the victim’s fault that they are experiencing cyberbullying. STEP 5: Share your notes and the activity sheets with other ambassadors. Try to compare if your scenarios are similar to other ambassadors. It can be the case that while collaborating you will come up with new ideas for preventive actions.

Resource 5.1

Module Title:	Module 5: Accessibility of information or supports available how to use the internet safely
Title of Resource:	Online guide to introducing device accessibility features
Resource Code:	R5.1
Introduction to the resource:	Website with accessibility features designed to make a keyboard, mouse and mobile device easier to use. It is divided into 4 sections addressing different impairments: vision, hearing, motor, cognitive.
What will you get from using this resource?	The resource introduces different types of features that persons with various impairments can introduce to their devices to make them more accessible, as a result improving the user experience.
Link to resource:	Website Vision section Hearing section Motor section Cognitive section

Resource 5.2

Module Title:	Module 5: Accessibility of information or supports available how to use the internet safely
Title of Resource:	Cybersecurity basics
Resource Code:	R5.2
Introduction to the resource:	Handout including cybersecurity basics on: types of viruses, antivirus software, firewall, browser extensions for privacy, safe web browsers, backing up files, electronic payments apps and some other tips on increasing safety online.
What will you get from using this resource?	The resource introduces brief information and examples related to cybersecurity and safety measures. It can serve as a checklist, general review or recommendation of good practices to follow.
Link to resource:	Webpage with Handout on cybersecurity basics

Resource 5.3

Module Title:	Module 5: Accessibility of information or supports available how to use the internet safely
Title of Resource:	Speech from Chrome Developer on Accessibility
Resource Code:	R5.3
Introduction to the resource:	The work of a Chrome developer is presented in the form of a Chrome Talk published on YouTube. The speaker highlights his job in respect to accessibility features and why such features are of high importance.
What will you get from using this resource?	The resource introduces the job a computer / app developer who presents key features and their applications on digital devices. Different perspectives are shown and the use of different solutions. The material shows the efforts made by developers to make digital resources accessible for more users.
Link to resource:	Accessibility is My Favorite Part of the Platform

For finding out the definition of certain terms with which you may not be familiarised, please read the DARE Practical Guide for Inclusion, the first output DARE project partners developed.

Bibliography

Brotherton, C. (2020). The Userway Web Accessibility Widget – Does It Boost Accessibility? [online] Accessed August 17, 2020

Computerworld (2018). 10 Android settings that’ll strengthen your security [online] Accessed September 4, 2020

Heston, K. (2020). How to Be Safe on the Internet [online] Accessed September 4, 2020

Samsung (2020). Customize accessibility settings on your phone [online] Accessed September 4, 2020

W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (2017). How People with Disabilities Use the Web. Diverse Abilities and Barriers. [online] Accessed August 28, 2020

Sitography

Apple (2020). Apps for Accessibility [online] Accessed September 9, 2020

Apple (2020). AudioNote 2 – Voice Recorder [online] Accessed September 7, 2020

Apple Inc. (2020). VoiceOver [online] Accessed August 17, 2020

Bureau of Internet Accessibility (2020). Color Contrast Accessibility Validator [online] Accessed September 4, 2020

Chrome web store (2020). Chrome Accessibility. Extensions to improve your Chrome experience. [online] Accessed August 17, 2020

Erasmus Student Network (2017). Erasmus+ App [online] Accessed August 28, 2020

European Solidarity Corps [online] Accessed September 7, 2020

European Youth Portal [online] Accessed September 7, 2020

Google Play Shop [online] Accessed September 9, 2020

Google (2020). Get started on Android with TalkBack [online] Accessed September 7, 2020

Microsoft (2020). Seeing AI [online] Accessed August 17, 2020

Mov’in Europe (2017). Accessed September 4, 2020

The Accessibility Project (2020). Operating System and Browser Accessibility Display Modes [online] Accessed September 7, 2020

wikiHow (2020). Sample Internet Safety Rules [online] Accessed August 17, 2020

WAVE (2020). WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool [online] Accessed August 17, 2020