Jeffrey Singleton, Director of Accessibility Consulting Practice, Cxytera
Ken Nakata, Director, ACP, HiSoftware
Disability Area: Topic Area:
Length of Session (in hours): 1-hr
Format: Lecture
Expertise Level: All Levels
Type of session: Not provided
Summary of Session
Successful Web accessibility programs for higher education tend to follow a common approach. This session will examine proven real-world strategies and methodologies, and show how they can be applied to any organization using (or not using) common accessibility tools.
Abstract
Too often, accessibility programs start their accessibility efforts too broadly—and then find themselves quickly underfunded and facing enormous pushback from frustrated web developers. Two major universities and HiSoftware customers, California State University and Temple University have proved that a successful process involves starting small with key accessibility concepts that are well-supported with training opportunities and educational materials. Next, demonstrating measurable success with this limited set of accessibility requirements, and then branching out to reach broader areas of accessibility.
This technology-agnostic session will provide an in-depth look at the almost identical and highly successful strategies used by both institutions to empower accessibility professionals, fosters buy-in from stakeholders, and leverage internal resources for achieving accessibility.
Kepoints
How to successfully implement Web accessibility
Which key elements of web accessibility to focus on first
The business and legal justifications for using this approach for Web accessibility
Speaker Bio(s)
Jeffrey Singleton
Jeff Singleton has worked in evaluating and supporting software for over two decades. Jeff is the Senior Accessibility Consultant at Cyxtera, the makers of Compliance Sheriff. Jeff is skilled in the use of AT software such as screen readers, assistive input devices and screen magnification for validating and testing projects. Jeff Singleton also has an in depth knowledge of accessibility requirements and guidelines such as Section 508 and the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and how they apply to real world applications.
Ken Nakata
Ken Nakata is the one of the most well-known attorneys in the area of IT accessibility and is the Director of HiSoftware’s Accessibility Consulting Practice (ACP). His work focuses on Web and software accessibility from both a legal and technical perspective. Nakata’s ACP team helps organizations manage the change towards accessibility in all aspects, providing consulting services aimed at shaping their accessibility policies and practices, and evaluating the overall state of their Web properties leveraging HiSoftware’s accessibility solutions.
Nakata worked for twelve years as a Senior Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice. He has argued on behalf of the United States government many times before the federal courts and has helped shape the government’s policies for the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Nakata also worked as Director of Accessibility and Government Compliance at BayFirst Solutions, a Washington, DC consulting firm.