| Session 1 - 10 to 10:45 a.m. |
| Everything I Know About Accessibility I Learned from Stack Overflow (WA) - Room 1 | |
Stream:
Speaker:
- Adrian Roselli, The Paciello Group
Description:
Accessibility practitioners are great at talking to one another and getting into the nuances of specifications and assistive technology. We also tend to live in a bit of a bubble, taking for granted many of the basics that developers struggle with on a daily basis.
In this talk, I will explore some of the kinds of questions developers ask one another, often with non-ideal answers, using Stack Overflow as my source.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Recognize the value of both seeking answers from the right resources and getting accessibility information to the broader community
Speaker Biography:
Adrian Roselli is a member of the W3C Web Platform Working Group, W3C Accessible Rich Internet Applications Working Group, and W3C Accessibility Task Force. He has written articles for trade journals and websites, and has participated as an author and editor on five web-related books.
Back in 1998, Adrian co-founded a software development consulting firm before leaving at the start of 2016 to start all over. Some may recognize Adrian from his days of helping to run evolt.org, one of the first communities for web developers.
Adrian has been developing for the web since 1993.
Contact Information:
| | You Be the Judge: The Role of Human Evaluation in WCAG 2.0 (AODA/WCAG) - Room 2 | |
Stream:
- AODA Standards, WCAG and Related Accessibility Legislation (AODA/WCAG)
Speaker:
- Mark Weiler, MLIS, PhD, Web & User Experience Librarian, Wilfrid Laurier University
Description:
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 clearly indicates that testing success criteria involves both automated testing and human evaluation. To meet conformance requirements effectively, managers of digital projects need to understand the nature and extent of this human evaluation.
The purpose of this presentation is to report on an analysis of human evaluation in the testing procedures for WCAG 2.0's sufficient techniques. The results will be valuable for trying to integrate WCAG 2.0 conformance into your business and organizational processes.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Better understand the nature and extent to which human evaluation is involved in meeting WCAG 2.0 success criteria
- Effectively plan development projects, test websites and web apps, and assess vendor products
Speaker Biography:
Mark Weiler is the web and user experience librarian at Wilfrid Laurier University and a member of the library's accessibility committee. He is the organizer of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) community of practice for the Canadian Association of Professional Academic Librarians.
Contact Information:
| | Disability Disclosure, Inclusion, and Workplace Accommodations for Youth With Disabilities: Youth and Employer Perspectives (DRA) - Room 3 | |
Stream:
- Disability Research and Accommodation (DRA)
Speaker:
- Sally Lindsay, PhD, Senior Scientist, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation
Description:
Our objective is to explore how young people with disabilities disclose their condition and ask for workplace accommodations, and to understand employer accommodation practices for youth with disabilities and how they create an inclusive environment.
Our presentation will explore the results from our qualitative study. Our study includes interviews with 17 youth with disabilities and 18 employers who hire people with disabilities, and their experiences with workplace disclosure and accommodations.
Participate in a discussion about the findings of our study and come away with a greater knowledge of the strategies for creating a more inclusive and accessible workplace.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Implement strategies to improve your own workplace accommodations through self-advocacy, accommodation solutions, and knowledge of workplace rights
- Identify strategies for creating an inclusive workplace for your employees through disability advocacy, mentoring, and diversity training and policies
- Improve workplace disclosure and accommodations
- Develop disclosure and inclusion in the workplace
Speaker Biography:
Sally Lindsay is a senior scientist at the Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, and an associate professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on the inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in the workforce. Dr. Lindsay has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and has led 20 grants as a principal investigator from agencies such as SSHRC and CIHR. She currently holds a five-year career award from the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation for improving inclusion and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Contact Information:
| | Voice UIs: Promises and Challenges of a "New" Technology (DDA) - Room 4 | |
Stream:
- Designing for Diverse Abilities (DDA)
Speaker:
- Alan Harnum, BA, MISt, Senior Inclusive Developer, Inclusive Design Research Centre, OCAD University
Description:
With the recent entry of the Amazon Echo and Google Home to Canada, we are entering a new period for the widespread distribution of internet-of-things (IoT) devices whose primary means of control is voice recognition and communication through voice synthesis. These newer devices are entering the marketplace alongside more established voice recognition and voice synthesis interfaces such as smartphones, tablets and computers.
The wide distribution of relatively inexpensive voice recognition technology offers significant possibilities for new forms of access and inclusion but there are privacy and security challenges that come alongside a technology that must be constantly listening to you to be useful.
In this session, I will discuss a range of topics about voice user interfaces (UI) in the context of accessibility and inclusion. The current state of the technology--such as browser-based speech recognition and open source efforts--and the privacy and security of voice-based IoT devices will be discussed. I will try to provide possibilities for how we can make use of these developments in ways that support new forms of inclusive technology while grappling with issues of privacy, security and surveillance.
Resources:
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Think critically about both the long-term potential of voice UI devices for building inclusive technology, and their current problematic state
Speaker Biography:
Alan Harnum is a design researcher, software developer, and former public librarian whose work focuses on one-size-fits-one accessibility, practices and tools to support human diversity in software, and inclusive systems thinking. He has worked at the Inclusive Design Research Centre since 2015 and has a Google Home Mini at home and an Amazon Echo Dot in his desk at work; both are left unplugged and unpowered unless he's experimenting with them.
Contact Information:
| | NOT a "Cheat Sheet": How Sheridan Supports Access to Memory Aid Accommodation (DRA) - Room 5 | |
Stream:
- Disability Research and Accommodation (DRA)
Speakers:
- Carren Tatton, BFA, M.Ed., Certificate Adult Education and Development, Accessible Learning Strategist, Sheridan College
- Jessica Anderson, BA, OCT, Accessible Learning Strategist/Assistive Technologist, Sheridan College
Description:
Learn how Accessible Learning at Sheridan identified barriers experienced by students with memory aid accommodations, which led to the development of a collaborative multi-step system of support designed to address student and instructor needs.
We will showcase the process of students receiving individualized instruction on accessing memory aid accommodation. Students can learn how to systematically narrow learning material, support memory needs, and gain the skills/tools appropriate to develop memory cueing structures that respect academic integrity. A critical question can be asked: Should the process of accessing accommodations be facilitated as a learning skill in a proactive, holistic practice?
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
- Identify how barriers to accessing memory aid accommodation are removed through supportive learning skill development
- Acquire knowledge of applicable processes, resources, and tools to aid in memory aid development competencies
- Consider a variety of methods, systems, and policies that could be developed within your own learning settings
- Think critically about the benefits of pairing specific learning skills development within the accommodation process
Speaker Biographies:
Carren Tatton currently works with Accessible Learning at Sheridan College and enjoys supporting students in developing their learning strategy skills. She is passionate about creating learning environments that include all learners. She has been committed to this goal in her previous roles as a learning strategist/assistive technologist within both post-secondary and Ontario School Board settings. While completing her masters in adaptive instruction at OISE, she focused her studies on exploring research and strategies for supporting working memory. What she learned has continued to motivate her to pursue how memory functions and how it is accommodated within education.
Jessica Anderson is currently a learning strategist and assistive technologist at Sheridan College. Her multifaceted role allows her to approach student instruction from a more holistic perspective. With a background in education, Jess has been able to explore additional qualifications related to working with students with autism spectrum disorder, in addition to pursuing assistive technology. A firm believer in experiential learning, she uses hands-on, real-life strategies to support post-secondary students while preparing them for life after graduation.
Contact Information:
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| Session 2 - 11 to 11:45 a.m. |
| Design Tips to Help Non-Visual Visitors Stay Secure Online (WA) - Room 1 | |
Stream:
Speaker:
- Daniela Napoli, MA, Graduate Student, Carleton University
Description:
People with vision loss are struggling to complete simple online tasks due to accessibility obstacles. These obstacles can impede their abilities to protect themselves from digital threats like phishing and hackers. As a designer, it is challenging to correct these issues since common accessibility guidelines do not suggest how to make online safety mechanisms for people with diverse abilities.
This talk will introduce a first iteration of guidelines that fuse usable security and accessibility to remedy some common issues. Come away with insight to the online security hurdles that people with vision loss face, and learn tips on designing more accessibly.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Recognize the advantages of combining web accessibility and usable security concepts
- Identify the security implications of online accessibility obstacles
- Execute practical tips in making your sites more secure and accessible
Speaker Biography:
Daniela Napoli is a University of Guelph-Humber alumnus and a current graduate student at Carleton University. Her masters research in human-computer interaction focuses on combining the fields of accessibility and usable security. She has experience in ensuring web accessibility and teaching others how to create and maintain AODA-compliant web content. Daniela plans to continue to dive into the fields of inclusive design and security as a PhD candidate in Ottawa.
Contact Information:
| | Diversity Through Inclusive Practice: An Evolving Toolkit for Creating Inclusive Processes, Spaces and Events (DRA) - Room 2 | |
Stream:
- Disability Research and Accommodation (DRA)
Speakers:
- Bonnie Brayton, National Executive Director, DisAbled Women's Network of Canada
- Deborah Stienstra, Jarislowsky Chair in Families and Work, Political Science Professor, and Director of the Centre for Families, Work and Wellbeing at the University of Guelph
Description:
Planning and hosting an inclusive event or process can be an overwhelming task given the diversity in our society. Do not let this scare you! Rest assured, with the right tools and guidance, you can learn how to develop more inclusive practices.
The Inclusive Practices Toolkit was created to assist organizations in planning and carrying out events that facilitate the participation and inclusion of all attendees regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ability, heritage or culture. The toolkit includes practical information about budgeting, choosing a location, creating accessible event materials, booking support services, and more.
This session and the toolkit will provide a number of helpful resources including a sample budget for inclusion measures, registration form, care provider contract, accessible seating guide, checklist, and so much more.
After this session, you will have access to the toolkit and the resources, in English or French, and all that it contains in a beautifully laid out guide that has a straightforward and easy-to-follow approach. It includes plenty of external resources, sample forms, and straight talk about convening inclusively.
Participation:
- Print versions of the guide will be available for sale and a free downloadable version is already available.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Successfully plan or host an inclusive event
- Utilize the toolkit and resources provided to you in the session
Speaker Biographies:
A recognized leader in both the feminist and disability movements, Bonnie Brayton has been the national executive director of the DisAbled Women's Network (DAWN) Canada since May 2007. In this role, she has proven herself as a formidable advocate for women with disabilities here in Canada and internationally. Ms. Brayton's commitment to women with disabilities spreads further than her office. She is also the president of Clean Sweepers, an innovative social enterprise which provides home care services to people with disabilities and seniors in her Montreal community, while creating employment, income and job security for women who were previously unemployed (primarily immigrant and racialized women).
Bonnie lives in Montreal with her partner, and has two adult daughters.
Deborah Stienstra holds the Jarislowsky chair in families and work, and is a political science professor and the director of the Centre for Families, Work and Wellbeing at the University of Guelph. She is the author of "About Canada: Disability Rights" (Fernwood, 2012). Her research and publications explore the intersections of disabilities, gender, childhood, and Indigenousness, identifying barriers to, as well as possibilities for, engagement and transformative change. Professor Stienstra was the lead investigator in the FEM NORTH NET project through CRIAW (The Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women) which produced the Inclusive Practices Toolkit.
Contact Information:
| | Rethinking "Participation": Inclusive Design in Evaluation of Student Engagement (ID) - Room 3 | |
Stream:
Speaker:
- C. Dalrymple-Fraser, PhD Student, Department of Philosophy and Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto
Description:
This presentation suggests a more inclusive method for evaluating student participation. Where "participation" is often considered an important part of engaged education, the ways we evaluate participation often privilege certain people and ways of engaging, often excluding or discounting many students who may be disabled, multilingual, experiencing mental illness, stigmatized, or who have limited access to transportation, among others. Against these worries, I suggest a more inclusive assignment design that centres critical self-reflection, which has been recently introduced in some undergraduate tutorials.
Explore diverse perspectives on what it means to participate, and leave with handouts and resources to help with evaluation.
Participation:
- All participation resources will be provided, including handouts (small and large print), note paper, pens and pencils.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Express diverse perspectives on what it can mean to participate
- Understand the ways in which standard evaluations of participation can often be exclusionary
- Rethink how participation is explained and evaluated in your own courses or educational settings
- Etablish your own evaluation practices
Speaker Biography:
C. Dalrymple-Fraser (they/them) is a PhD student and Vanier scholar in the Department of Philosophy and Joint Centre for Bioethics at the University of Toronto. Their research explores power dynamics in communication, with an emphasis on those structures and actions that can lead to silencing and exclusion.
Contact Information:
| | Implementing Sustainable Change: Deconstructing the Approach to Providing Note-Taking Supports (DRA)- Room 4 | |
Stream:
- Disability Research and Accommodation (DRA)
Speakers:
- Nora Simpson, Associate Director, Accessible Learning Services, Humber College
- Melanie Chai, Interim Associate Director, Advising and Career Services/Peer Learning, Humber College
Description:
Providing peer note taking is an increasingly challenging undertaking. At Humber College, we deconstructed our approach in order to respond to increasing demand.
Learn how we moved from over 100 peer note takers to a model that relies on digital recorders and software, and returns autonomy and control to the student accessing the accommodation.
You will be invited to consider your own note taking services and explore the challenges involved in implementing a new service delivery model.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Compare and contrast the use of peer note takers vs. technology
- Reflect upon the change management process
- Consider how to utilize more technology in the delivery of note taking services
Speaker Biographies:
At Humber College, Nora leads a talented team of accessibility professionals who promote inclusion on campus every day. She holds an honours BA and a juris doctor and has a background in law, teaching and administration. She is also an executive for the College Committee on Disability Issues in Ontario.
Melanie provides leadership to a dedicated team of professional staff and student leaders who provide a range of learning support services to students. Melanie is currently completing her masters of education at York University. She holds two bachelor's degrees: one in education and the other in psychology.
Contact Information:
| | Adaptive Technology Abandonment and Engagement in Post-Secondary Contexts: Changing the Conversation (AT) - Room 5 | |
Stream:
Speakers:
- Janice Fennell, PhD, Manager, Accessible Learning Services and AODA at Mohawk College
- Andrea Zians, MA, Adaptive Technologist and Learning Advisor, Accessible Learning Services, Mohawk College
Description:
This session will be a critical discussion and reflection of student level of engagement with adaptive technology (AT) as an academic accommodation. We will share lessons learned and illustrate how Mohawk College has changed the conversation around AT to increase AT engagement and reduce loss of institutional resources.
The following questions will be addressed:
- Are students using the technology we recommend and train them to use?
- At what rate is this accommodation being adopted or abandoned?
- What are the realities, reasons, and barriers to AT engagement in post-secondary settings?
- How can we change the conversation we are having about AT with students, and increase AT engagement on campus?
We will also look at the effects of AT (dis)engagement on capacity and institutional resources.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Gain awareness about AT abandonment
- Develop best practices around academic accommodation planning
- Identify creative ways to engage students with AT
Speaker Biography:
As manager of Accessible Learning Services and AODA at Mohawk College, Janice Fennell is responsible for managing and monitoring the delivery of day-to-day services for students with disabilities, and developing and monitoring Mohawk College's AODA multi-year plan. She has over 12 years of experience in providing both direct support and administrative leadership related to services for students with disabilities at post-secondary and K-12 levels. Janice holds a PhD in education as well as a master's degree in critical disability studies. Janice's doctoral thesis investigated whether or not the promised empowerment of technology is compromised by the visibility of technology support for students with invisible special needs such as learning disabilities.
Andrea Zians holds an MA from OISE, has been teaching in the field of special education for over 20 years, and has been teaching and advising in the post-secondary environment for almost 10 years. Andrea works at Mohawk College in Accessible Learning Services (ALS) as an adaptive technologist and learning skills advisor. Andrea works in conjunction with the ALS team and Mohawk College faculty and students to promote the agenda of AT engagement and student success.
Contact Information:
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| Session 3 - Noon to 12:45 p.m. |
| A Smarter Way to Test Accessibility: A Comparison of Top Tools (WA) - Room 1 | |
Stream:
Speakers:
- Everett Zufelt, Director of Technology, Myplanet
- Laura Johnson, Software Developer, Myplanet
Description:
There's no doubt that web accessibility is of great importance for any organization or business with a web presence. W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) have become the global standard. In Ontario, the AODA requires that all new websites and web content conform to WCAG 2.0. Fortunately, development teams can drastically reduce the effort involved in accessibility testing, and reduce human errors by automating some tests as part of their Continuous Integration (CI) process.
There are a number of paid and free tools available on the market, and we've chosen three to compare:
- Google's Litehouse: Open source, free
- Tenon.io: Software as a service, growing in popularity
- WAVE API (from WebAIM.org): Software as a service, self-hosted
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Understand automated accessibility testing, and what can be tested
- Integrate Lighthouse, Tenon.io and WAVE API with your CI process
- Identify the benefits of Lighthouse, Tenon.io, and WAVE API
Speaker Biographies:
Everett Zufelt is director of technology at Myplanet. Everett is passionate about team building and developing the skills and abilities of those with whom he works. Everett holds PMI's Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), Scrum Alliance's Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), and Acquia's Acquia Certified Grand Master 2015 certifications.
In the past, Everett was the Drupal Core accessibility maintainer, and was an invited expert to the W3C HTML Working Group, where he participated in the HTML Accessibility Task Force. He has also provided consulting for the Inclusive Design Research Centre at OCAD University.
Laura Johnson is a software developer at Myplanet, as well as liaison and event coordinator for the DUG-TO (Toronto Drupal User Group) community. She is a champion of web accessibility in all development practices and is highly involved in testing accessibility tools at Myplanet.
Contact Information:
| | The Changing Landscape of Post-Secondary Exam Accommodation Facilitation - Room 3 | |
Stream:
- Disability Research and Accommodation (DRA)
Speakers:
- Geoffrey Shifflett, PhD, Manager AccessAbility Services' Exam Centre, University of Waterloo
- Retnika Devasher, M.Sc., MA, Exam Centre Administrator, University of Waterloo
- Jennifer Gillies, PhD, Associate Director of AccessAbility Services, University of Waterloo
Description:
In 2015, the University of Waterloo's AccessAbility Services relocated to a new office space, which included a dedicated exam centre that facilitates approximately 15,000 testing accommodations a year. The new physical space, combined with an increasing number and complexity of exam accommodations, led the office to re-examine operations.
This presentation will share insight from the University of Waterloo's journey of making significant changes to enhance the management of exam security, integrity, and customer service. You will acquire tips and strategies for facilitating an efficient, secure, and welcoming exam-writing experience that meets the demands of a changing accommodations landscape.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Carry out practical strategies to assist you with developing policy and procedures that balance the duty to accommodate with the duty to uphold exam integrity
- Implement staffing and organizational structures that support the vision and mandate of your office
- Strengthen integrity, security features, and protocols
- Develop enhanced standards and approaches to customer service
Speaker Biography:
Dr. Geoffrey Shifflett is the manager of AccessAbility Services' Exam Centre at the University of Waterloo. In this capacity, Geoff works directly with faculty and staff to ensure the smooth facilitation of approximately 15,000 exam accommodations each year. He has worked with students with disabilities for the past 14 years in various capacities. Geoff has played a central role in enhancing the University's Exam Centre, including but not limited to designing and equipping a dedicated exam facility, selecting and implementing a new online scheduling system, and revamping of the centre's organizational structure.
Retnika Devasher is the exam administrator for the AccessAbility Services' Exam Centre at the University of Waterloo. Retnika's responsibilities include scheduling and booking exams, requisitioning and preparing exam materials, ensuring the implementation of accommodations, maintaining exam integrity, and providing support and guidance to the exam proctors. Prior to her role as exam administrator, Retnika worked for the exam centre as a proctor while completing her postgraduate studies.
Dr. Jennifer Gillies is the associate director of AccessAbility Services at the University of Waterloo. Since being hired in this role in 2016, Jennifer has worked with the team to make significant enhancements to the office's overall operations. In Jennifer's research career, she collaborated with university students with disabilities and other stakeholders to make recommendations and changes that support the human rights and inclusion of all students on campus. Her employment background has focused on using authentic partnership approaches to create large and small culture change initiatives.
Contact Information:
| | Using the C-Pen to Support Individuals with Literacy Difficulties (AT) - Room 5 | |
Stream:
Speaker:
- Fernanda Bianconi, Learning & Adapative Technology Facilitator, CICE Program, Georgian College
Description:
For individuals with literacy difficulties, paper has always been inherently inaccessible. Although traditional text-to-speech programs have allowed students to access the curriculum through the use of a personal computer, paper continues to persist as a reality in the world of communication.
The C-Pen Reader, a pocket-sized device that reads text aloud, has opened a new world for students in the Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE) program at Georgian College, breaking down barriers that would otherwise hold them back.
This session will highlight the successes students have had using the C-Pen Reader in the classroom, field placement, and community.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Understand the benefits of using a C-Pen Reader to support students in a variety of settings
Speaker Biography:
Fernanda Bianconi is a learning and adaptive technology facilitator in the Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE) program at Georgian College. In this role, she supports students with diverse learning challenges who require academic accommodations and modifications for college success with utilizing adaptive technology in order to maximize their overall achievement.
Fernanda has multiple years of special education experience, supporting students with a variety of strengths and exceptionalities in using their adaptive technology in both elementary and secondary school settings. Fernanda is passionate about her work and enjoys making a difference in the lives of her students.
Contact Information:
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| Session 4 - 1 to 1:45 p.m. |
| Accessible Online Course Reader Service: A Proactive Approach to Providing Accessible Texts (DMA) - Room 2 | |
Stream:
- Document and Media Accessibility (DMA)
Speaker:
- Aneta Kwak, MI, BA, Accessibility and Public Services Librarian, D.G. Ivey, New College, University of Toronto
Description:
This presentation will provide a case study on the improved online course reader service at a small academic library. The presentation will outline the process for taking a proactively accessible approach to the provision of course readings. This project has flipped the current reactive model for providing alternative formats of texts, which depends on students registering with centralized accessibility services at their institutions in order to obtain accessible formats of texts.
Learning Outcomes:
After attending this session, you will be able to:
- Identify techniques and processes that can be implemented in a variety of environments to improve the accessibility of scanned documents
Speaker Biography:
Aneta Kwak is the accessibility and public services librarian at D.G. Ivey Library, New College, University of Toronto. She manages the online course reader service available for courses and programs offered at New College. She is the project lead for an initiative to improve the accessibility of the scanned readings provided through this service. She is passionate about finding solutions to create an equitable experience for all.
Contact Information:
| | Service Animals in the Classroom (ATL) - Room 4 | |
Stream:
- Accessible Teaching and Learning (ATL)
Speaker:
- Michelle Woolfrey, BA Candidate and Academic Accommodation Support Special Projects Assistant, Ryerson Univeristy
Description:
Service animals are becoming more popular and widely used as we recognize how they can be trained to provide support for a variety of disabilities. With no official regulations around the training, the discussion surrounding fake and legitimate service animals has been gaining a lot of attention.
This session will highlight the impact these animals can have in the classroom. We will also discuss the role of post-secondary institutions in accommodating service animals on campus.
Participation:
- Bring a laptop or notepad and a basic understanding of AODA.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Identify who uses a service animal
- Understand the legislation that protects and enables the use of service animals and the associated training
- Determine the similarities and differences between service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy animals
- Acknowledge the important role that service animals play within the classroom and the opportunities they provide for disabled persons
Speaker Biography:
Michelle Woolfrey is a university student in her fourth year of five-year undergraduate degree program. She is the founder of a motivational speaking and disability consulting business, and a proud disabled woman. She is currently a user of a canine vision dog guide who attends both work and classes on campus at Ryerson University. She is passionate about human rights and disability law, with service animals being a special interest.
Contact Information:
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| Session 5 - 2 to 2:45 p.m. |
| JavaScript and Accessibility: Don't Blame the Language (WA) - Room 1 | |
Stream:
Speaker:
- Everett Zufelt, Director of Technology, Myplanet
Description:
There is a long-held belief among developers that any application built using JavaScript is not necessarily accessible. This belief is reinforced by the rapid adoption of JavaScript frameworks and UI components that are immature, and by the corners that get cut when time to market takes priority over inclusivity.
As a completely blind JavaScript developer, I can state with some certainty that JavaScript is not to blame. That long-held belief is, in fact, a misbelief. There are, however, a few things you need to know when building client-side applications with JavaScript to ensure that your applications are universally accessible.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Explain why JavaScript is widely believed to be inaccessible
- Understand why the use of JavaScript easily leads to inaccessible applications
- Identify the most common causes of inaccessible JavaScript applications
- Recognize how the use of modern frameworks like React can make JavaScript accessibility easy
Speaker Biography:
Everett Zufelt is director of technology at Myplanet. Everett is passionate about team building, and developing the skills and abilities of those with whom he works. Everett holds PMI's Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), Scrum Alliance's Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), and Acquia's Acquia Certified Grand Master 2015 certifications.
In the past, Everett was the Drupal Core accessibility maintainer, and was an invited expert to the W3C HTML Working Group, where he participated in the HTML Accessibility Task Force. He has also provided consulting for the Inclusive Design Research Centre at OCAD University.
Contact Information:
| | What Do The 7 Principles of Universal Design Have to Do With Textbooks? (DMA) - Room 2 | |
Stream:
- Document and Media Accessibility (DMA)
Speakers:
- Sherri Parkins, MA, Learning Strategist, Seneca College
- Maris Karklins, BA, Assistive Technologist, Seneca College
Description:
If we take the focus off individual students for a moment and think of every student in the classroom, what are the advantages of going digital? Universal Design for Learning (UDL) presents principals to guide educators in the provision of equal opportunity for all learners.
This session will lead you through a series of activities that will address the principals of UDL including fair access, multimodal approaches, intuitive approaches and support for errors. We will address barriers for ALL students while providing more access to students who have a disability. Success stories and obstacles will be shared.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate how to quickly locate information contained in digital text
- Describe different modalities available in publisher-provided extra features
- Compare regular text and digital text for ease of use and multiple modality
- Outline how digital text minimizes unnecessary physical effort
- Explain why access to digital text can be advantageous to all learners
Speaker Biographies:
Sherri Parkins works at Seneca College as a learning strategist (LS). She has presented at multiple conferences on LS/AT and disability. While involved in the training of professors, teachers and others on issues related to disability and LS/AT, Sherri enjoys the challenge of finding unique solutions that incorporate strategies and AT to support students daily. She co-leads a transition program for students with learning disabilities each summer and is involved with a number of community groups supporting marginalized persons.
Maris Karklins is an assistive technologist in the Counselling and Accessibility Services department and a professor for the Faculty of Continuing Education at Seneca College. Maris, in his current role, assists students and faculty in the use of technology in an academic setting. Maris has a wealth of knowledge from his past role of providing accessibility training to clients at West Park Healthcare's AAC clinic.
Contact Information:
| | 7 Considerations for Digital Accessibility in Communications (ID) - Room 3 | |
Stream:
Speaker:
- Jennifer Chadwick, Lead Accessibility Strategist, Siteimprove
Description:
Whether you are developing a website, email campaign, or making engaging videos, you need to be incorporating accessibility into your digital content so that your message is available to everyone. Accessibility is affected by font, color, and images choices. You need to be aware of how the choices you make could impact your users.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Recognize how design elements and color affect your audience
- Identify the key elements every video needs
- Correctly use social media and email campaigns
Speaker Biography:
Jennifer is the lead accessibility strategist for North America at Siteimprove. She has been a user experience designer, usability analyst, and inclusive design consultant for over 13 years. Jennifer works closely with organizations to adopt, define and execute an inclusive design strategy, and ensures that digital content, websites and applications are built and tested to be compliant with WCAG. She is a policy and standards advisor and works to drive innovation from the perspective of inclusion and adaptive technology.
Jennifer is a member of the W3C, G3ict (UN) and the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). She is a certified usability analyst (CUA) and user experience researcher (CRX) and sits on the higher education content review committee for the Accessibility Switchboard project in conjunction with the National Federation for the Blind.
Contact Information:
| | AT Round-Up (AT) - Room 4 | |
Stream:
Moderator:
- Doug Mantle, Assistive Technologist, King's University College
Description:
This session is an opportunity for assistive technology professionals, alternate format providers, and accessibility professionals to join as one group. Discover the connections we share, share our best practices, brainstorm for the future, and participate in a show and tell of your favourite tools, tips, tricks, and resources.
Come ready to exchange knowledge, skills and best practices. Through interactive discussions, demonstrations and brainstorming, you will expand your repertoire of skills and tools.
Participation:
- Bring any tech toys, gadgets, software, log-in credentials or devices you wish to demonstrate or discuss.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Utilize best practices that lead to creative and modern ways of supporting your clients.
Speaker Biography:
Doug Mantle has worked as an assistive technology professional since 2009. He currently works as the assistive technology support specialist at King's University College, London, Ontario. He has a strong belief in the true integration of tools that return and maintain a person's independence. Doug founded The Network of Assistive Technologists in 2015.
Contact Information:
| | Inclusive Design: A University of Manitoba Case Study (ID) - Room 5 | |
Stream:
Speaker:
- Jeff Wilson, CEO, Adaptability Canada
Description:
In July 2017, the University of Manitoba began the largest accessibility audit in Manitoba history. The audit, which is being conducted by Adaptability Canada, is ongoing and is about far more than meeting legislative requirements; it's about creating a consistently positive and inclusive experience for students, staff, faculty and the public. The audit encompasses 110 buildings on two campuses and almost 100 acres of outdoor space.
The case study reviews an ongoing project to look at the goals, challenges and early outcomes, and how this work will form the foundation for all retrofit and new build projects in the future. You will gain a solid understanding of the risks and rewards of undertaking a similar project to create an inclusive experience for all stakeholders.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Better understand inclusive design and how it is identifited and applied
- Identify the risks and rewards of undertaking a similar project
Speaker Biography:
As founder and CEO of Adaptability Canada, Jeff Wilson is at the forefront of inclusive design thinking in Ontario and Canada.
With Adaptability Canada, Jeff integrates his personal and business passions to champion and service the needs of Canada's seniors and individuals with disabilities to improve their quality of life. Driving this passion is his commitment to his son Gavin who was diagnosed with Aspergers in 2008.
Jeff created Adaptability Canada to improve the built environment for Canadians at home, at work, and in the community. Within a few short years, he has attracted large national and provincial clients from both the public, non-profit and private sector, including Oxford Properties, IKO Industries, Dream REIT, the City of Vaughan and the University of Manitoba.
Jeff is a frequent contributor to business and industry publications and speaker on demographics, disability markets and trends, housing trends and innovations, the future of accessibility, influence theory, universal design, and customer experience design.
Prior to Adaptability Canada, Jeff spent over 15 successful years working with many leading global B2B and B2C enterprises to significantly improve their customer experience and how they attract, engage and retain customers.
Contact Information:
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| Session 6 - 3 to 3:45 p.m. |
| Mobile Accessibility: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (WA) - Room 1 | |
Stream:
Speaker:
- Gian Wild, CEO, AccessibilityOz
Description:
This will be a fun talk, with lots of gasps and laughter. It will be example after example of mobile accessibility fails that only look like mobile fails. I will demonstrate how a usability issue is really an accessibility issue, and how making a mobile site accessible actually makes it usable too.
I'll talk about specific mobile accessibility features including pinch zoom, native screen readers, haptic keyboard, etc., and system accessibility settings such as font size, screen rotation, and high contrast.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Identify specific things that should and shouldn't be done on mobile
- Recognize where to look for guidance on mobile accessibility
| | Automation and Accessibility: The Promise and the Peril (ID) - Room 2 | |
Stream:
Speakers:
- David Best, Associate, Inclusive Media and Design Inc.
- Rob Harvie, Director, Inclusive Media and Design Inc.
Description:
Technology, as we are frequently being reminded, holds great promise...and a dark side. Automated tools for assessing website accessibility, for example, can be useful up to an extent--equivalent to a small army of analysts combing umpteen lines of code for barriers; however, those analysts lack judgement, or an ability to contextualize like humans can. It would be massively complex to teach machines to exhibit (virtual) wisdom.
This presentation is not about automated accessibility tools. It's about the digital divide, how technology can be used to further place the underprivileged at a disadvantage, and what we can do about it. Experiences in navigating the digital realm will be gleaned from the perspective of a blind citizen.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Identify technological innovations catalyzed and leveraged by people with disabilities
- Better understand the perils of automation, decision support tools, and the harvesting and sale of personal information
- Recognize the economics of disability and how to reverse this trend
Speaker Biography:
Accessibility IT specialist David Best has more than 30 years of experience in project management, software design, and development. David developed glaucoma at age five and lost all eyesight by the age of 20. Despite this setback, he was one of the first blind Canadians to graduate with a degree in computer science from Western University.
David's work experience includes software engineer with Air Canada, subject matter expert on accessibility business solutions at IBM, and now a senior associate at Inclusive Media and Design Inc. With his life experiences and ICT knowledge skills, David has a unique opportunity to advocate for disabled professionals.
A founding director of Inclusive Media and Design Inc., Rob Harvie brings a rich background in ICT and accessibility solutions. He's directed IT for the Faculty of Information Studies at the University of Toronto, where he's lectured for over 20 years on human-computer interaction, accessibility and emerging technologies, including augmented and virtual reality and multi-sensory interfaces. Rob serves on various working and advisory groups.
Contact Information:
| | Full-Stack Accessibility of Educational Technologies (ATL) - Room 3 | |
Stream:
- Accessible Teaching and Learning (ATL)
Speaker:
- Sambhavi Chandrashekar, PhD
- Amelia Wang, OCAD University
Description:
Access to education is a fundamental human right. Educational technologies (edtech) enable and improve access to education; yet, they could create new barriers if they are not designed with accessibility in mind.
Full-stack Accessibility of edtech is about ensuring accessibility of the technologies used for education in the three layers of Platform, Process and Content. An exploratory research of edtech used in post-secondary education in North America, revealed the needs and constraints of edtech vendors in maintaining the accessibility of their products. A toolkit was developed using an inclusive design process to assist edtech vendors in monitoring product accessibility.
This talk aims to disseminate the results of a research study on a topic of great relevance to the conference. You will get to know about a novel concept of Full-Stack Accessibility of edtech and see a demonstration of the tool.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Understand the process of inclusive design of an accessibility monitoring tool for edtech vendors
- Identify inclusive practices for educational technology in post-secondary education
Speaker Biography:
Dr. Sambhavi Chandrashekar is an accessibility program manager at D2L. As adjunct professor (inclusive design), she also teaches and supervises research in the Master of Design program in Inclusive Design at OCAD University, Toronto. She is passionate about making education accessible to diverse learners through accessible technology and inclusive design. She holds a PhD from the iSchool in the University of Toronto and an M.Sc. in human-computer interaction from University College London, UK.
Amelia Wang, a passionate and enthusiastic inclusive designer and researcher, is set to graduate in May 2018 from OCAD University's Master of Design in Inclusive Design program. Over the past three years, she has worked as accessibility specialist on contract with the Ontario government in the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and the Office of the Premier and the Cabinet Office. She also works on freelance document remediation contracts.
Contact Information:
| | AT Round-Up Continued (AT) - Room 4 | |
Stream:
Moderator:
- Doug Mantle, Assistive Technologist, King's University College
Description:
This session is an opportunity for assistive technology professionals, alternate format providers, and accessibility professionals to join as one group. Discover the connections we share, share our best practices, brainstorm for the future, and participate in a show and tell of your favourite tools, tips, tricks, and resources.
Come ready to exchange knowledge, skills and best practices. Through interactive discussions, demonstrations and brainstorming, you will expand your repertoire of skills and tools.
Participation:
- Bring any tech toys, gadgets, software, log-in credentials or devices you wish to demonstrate or discuss.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Utilize best practices that lead to creative and modern ways of supporting your clients.
Speaker Biography:
Doug Mantle has worked as an assistive technology professional since 2009. He currently works as the assistive technology support specialist at King's University College, London, Ontario. He has a strong belief in the true integration of tools that return and maintain a person's independence. Doug founded The Network of Assistive Technologists in 2015.
Contact Information:
| | CELA and Bookshare: Partnering to Improve Equitable Public Library Service (DDA) - Room 5 | |
Stream:
- Designing for Diverse Abilities (DDA)
Speakers:
- Bob Dodd, M.Sc., Library Web Developer, CNIB
- Lindsay Tyler, MLIS, Senior Manager, Centre for Equitable Library Access
Description:
The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) provides accessible books through public libraries. Driven by a commitment to innovation and responsiveness to user needs, CELA is reinventing its interface with an open source solution and migrating its catalogue to a platform developed in partnership with Bookshare. The collections of both organizations (close to 600,000 items) will be combined in a fully-accessible catalogue providing simplified discovery and borrowing.
This session will include both a technical and pragmatic discussion of the project. You will learn about how this collaboration manifested and about the role each organization will play. First-hand accounts of our ongoing accessible interface development and user experience testing will be shared.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Appreciate the problems, issues and potential strategies of building a fully-accessible library catalogue discovery and delivery tool
Speaker Biographies:
For the past four years, Bob Dodd has been the library web developer at CNIB in Toronto where he supports CELA's online digital library for print disabled patrons. Bob joined CNIB with 10 years of academic research in accessible user interface design, and a further 15 years of commercial experience with mobile user interface (UI) design for Nokia Research and Siemens. He has published papers on techniques for adaptive user interfaces (The CISNA model of accessible adaptive hypermedia) and a model for profiling human capability (User capability in an adaptive world).
Lindsay is a professional librarian with more than ten years of experience in accessibility and client service in French and English. She believes in the power of reading in our lives, the importance of access to reading for all, and is delighted to support public libraries to make it happen.
Contact Information:
Stream:
- Designing for Diverse Abilities (DDA)
Speakers:
- Bob Dodd, M.Sc., Library Web Developer, CNIB
- Lindsay Tyler, MLIS, Senior Manager, Centre for Equitable Library Access
Description:
The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) provides accessible books through public libraries. Driven by a commitment to innovation and responsiveness to user needs, CELA is reinventing its interface with an open source solution and migrating its catalogue to a platform developed in partnership with Bookshare. The collections of both organizations (close to 600,000 items) will be combined in a fully-accessible catalogue providing simplified discovery and borrowing.
This session will include both a technical and pragmatic discussion of the project. You will learn about how this collaboration manifested and about the role each organization will play. First-hand accounts of our ongoing accessible interface development and user experience testing will be shared.
Learning Outcomes:
After this session, you will be able to:
- Appreciate the problems, issues and potential strategies of building a fully-accessible library catalogue discovery and delivery tool
Speaker Biographies:
For the past four years, Bob Dodd has been the library web developer at CNIB in Toronto where he supports CELA's online digital library for print disabled patrons. Bob joined CNIB with 10 years of academic research in accessible user interface design, and a further 15 years of commercial experience with mobile user interface (UI) design for Nokia Research and Siemens. He has published papers on techniques for adaptive user interfaces (The CISNA model of accessible adaptive hypermedia) and a model for profiling human capability (User capability in an adaptive world).
Lindsay is a professional librarian with more than ten years of experience in accessibility and client service in French and English. She believes in the power of reading in our lives, the importance of access to reading for all, and is delighted to support public libraries to make it happen.
Contact Information:
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