Strategic Accessibility Training Consultant
michael.harshbarger@deque.com
Sessions: AI in Accessibility: Where Tools End and Humans Lead
Time: April 9th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Session: Accessibility Audits That Actually Drive Change
Time: April 9th, 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
Session: Building a Culture of Accessibility Leadership
Time: April 10th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Michael Harshbarger, CSM, CSPO, MSPM, IT Project +, PMP, is a seasoned program manager and accessibility strategist with more than two decades of experience leading large-scale technology initiatives in both corporate and consulting environments. As the founder of AccessibilityFirst Solutions and a current accessibility training leader at Deque Systems, Michael combines technical knowledge with a strong commitment to inclusive design and digital equity. During his tenure at State Farm Insurance, Michael managed enterprise-scale projects, including a US$2 billion infrastructure program and the divestiture of US$1.6 billion in assets, coordinating across cross-functional teams and vendor ecosystems. He brings a thoughtful, human-centered approach to leadership, grounded in business ethics and continuous improvement. A passionate advocate for progress over perfection, Michael delivers practical, actionable guidance to help organizations embed accessibility into their culture, workflows, and technologies. He frequently speaks on integrating accessibility into agile sprints and is known for making complex topics approachable for both technical and nontechnical audiences.