Time: April 9, 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Speaker: Anisat Ahmed
The common workflow for accessibility fixes is often treated as a project: run an audit, fix the issues, and move on. But on content-heavy websites, problems don’t stay fixed. As new content is added, the site’s content environment evolves, and multiple contributors make changes; new barriers can appear in different ways, even when previous issues were addressed. Accessibility is more like a marathon than a sprint; it’s never truly “done.” Join me in this talk to explore why accessibility behaves more like ongoing maintenance than a project, and how small, sustainable practices can help teams make steady progress over time, keeping websites usable, accessible, and minimizing accessibility debt.
Time: April 4, 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
Speaker: Matthew Luken
Join Matthew Luken of Deque Systems for an interactive session on the intersectionality of design practices and accessibility conformance. In digital accessibility, his research has found that 67% of defects can be reduced within the design discipline. Luken will help us explore where designers can make meaningful investments in ensuring their designs are accessible and how designers can help to reduce accessibility defects through the rest of the development and testing cycles. This session will provide examples and information usable for designers at any level of their careers. There will be a question and answer period as well; please bring your questions.
The live session is canceled, but the speaker is providing a recording of the talk after the conference.
Time: April 4, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Speaker: Cheryl Cline
To reach the widest audience, user-experience writers must strive to write inclusive, accessible copy. I will critique real-world examples of UX copy, list resources that UX writers and teams can refer to when ideating and iterating, and address some of the pushback that UX writers and other stakeholders often face when advocating for an inclusive user experience. Attendees will come away with an introductory framework for evaluating website and UX copy.
Time: April 4, 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Speaker: Kate McGowan
With established search engines such as Google and Bing integrating AI into their algorithms, and entirely new search engines such as Open AI’s Search-GPT new on the scene, the world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is shifting towards Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). In this session, we’ll examine how AI summaries and chat tools are changing search results and influencing how students look for schools and programs. We’ll explore tactics for adapting your institution’s website and content strategies to stay ahead of the curve and ensure your school stands out in an evolving digital landscape.
Time: April 3, 1:30 am – 2:30 pm
Speakers: Amanda Covher, Priyanka Pradeep
This presentation will cover the importance of device specifications and Best Practices for Android and iOS accessibility testing. It will be a general knowledge share for those new to mobile accessibility and how to test for it.
Time: April 3, 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Speaker: Michael Harshbarger
Incorporating accessibility into Agile sprints is essential for creating inclusive digital experiences. Treat accessibility as technical debt, addressing it systematically to prevent long-term issues. Begin by recognizing accessibility gaps, then gradually implement improvements within your current sprints, focusing on steady progress rather than perfection. Prioritize accessibility tasks by role, ensuring that content providers, designers, developers, and QA teams contribute to the process. Regularly review and update your accessibility practices during sprint retrospectives to maintain consistent progress. By following these steps, your team can integrate accessibility effectively, making your products more user-friendly and inclusive. Every small improvement in accessibility can make a significant difference in the lives of your users, ultimately changing the world for the better.
Speaker: Johnathan Heider
Through providing a custom program and overall safe space for your event, I will guide your audience through an overall understanding of digital accessibility and universal design in optimization for end users with various disabilities. This program will include background information, as well as facts and common misconceptions of creating a digital footprint that is accessible for all. This deep dive will focus on the utilization of keywords to create a more inclusive online presence through SEO strategies. This program will also look at category such as imagery color, terminology, text, backend development, and general universal design of a website build. Throughout this program, personal stories and open room discussions will take place. Key Takeaways• Color techniques for text on images and images in general for visually impaired• Strategies on alt text for visually impaired• Utilization of target keyword so Inclusive terminology to know Exclusionary terminology to avoid• How to genuinely reach a previously untapped market of disabled individuals across different background so Many disabled potential employees and clients are being skipped over due to poor digital strategies
Speakers: Michael Harshbarger, Heidi Kelly-Gibson
In this presentation on “Future Trends and Innovations in Accessibility,” we will explore the transformative impact of emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and virtual reality on accessibility. We will delve into real-world applications, such as automatic speech recognition for real-time captions, AI-powered image recognition, and the use of VR simulations to build empathy and drive inclusive design. Additionally, we will address ethical considerations and highlight how these innovations empower businesses to create more accessible products, services, and environments, fostering a future where technology truly leaves no one behind.