Well, it’s that time of year already, that magical, mystical time that we call CSUN.  CSUN is the 31st Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference.  It’s a place where learning is shared, ideas are conceived, people throughout the field of accessibility network and – one of my favorite things – where new gadgets and gizmos are often unveiled.  I’m extremely fortunate to work for an employer who has been willing to send me to this conference of awesome and I’m very excited about the opportunity to attend and to present.  That said, the expectation is that I come away from CSUN full of new knowledge that I can utilize to better help my clients reach their goals.  So, while you and I may be at the same conference, meeting up might be a challenge since my primary reason for going is to attend sessions and learn.  To that end though, I thought I’d post the sessions I’m currently planning to attend, so that if our paths cross, we can at least say hi.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Friday, March 25, 2016

  • Grommet: An Accessible Open-Source User Experience Framework
    Be amongst the first to learn about Grommet, a modern UX framework created by Hewlett Packard that allows for rapid development of accessible web applications.  
  • Mobile Testing: Through the Eyes of a Screen Reader User and A11Y ExpertNote: I'm a presenter and in fact, due to last minute scheduling conflicts, I'll likely be the only presenter. Someone please bring me some black coffee? :)
    A screen reader user and A11y Expert will demonstrate performing an A11Y assessment on mobile devices. They will demonstrate the Pod Methodology, techniques and tools.
  • Accessibility Support Baselines: Balancing User Needs Against Test Effort
    Approaches for creating an enterprise support baseline and test strategy in light of changes in the desktop assistive technology market and mobile device fragmentation.
  • Digital Accessibility at Small businesses
    Highlighting differences about accessibility at small businesses compared to enterprises, this presentation will focus on increasing awareness and scaling accessibility at this important, forgotten sector.  
  • OpenAIR Challenge: Mentoring the MentorsNote: I'm not an official presenter, but as I was a mentor, Joseph Karr O'Connor asked me if I might attend. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Joseph and this entire initiative, so it will be my honor to do so.
    The Open Accessible Internet Rally (OpenAIR) has a mentorship program. This presentation will focus on the experience of the mentors.  
  • Strategies for Implementing Accessible Online Media
    This presentation will cover web accessibility laws and guidelines as well as how to apply these standards when creating accessible online media at your institution.

Receptions and evening things

CSUN boasts a number of receptions and other evening events and I'm not sure yet which of those I'll be attending. Traditionally, Deque holds an evening reception and that I'll definitely be attending, just as soon as I figure out where and when it is. Whether at a presentation, a reception, lunch or coffee somewhere in the midst of all that, CSUN is a great opportunity to connect and I'm looking forward to meeting as many people as possible. If you want to connect, please reach out to me on Twitter, or comment here and I'll gladly exchange contact info.

Looking forward to a great CSUN16.