John Slatin AccessU | May 15-17, 2012
John Slatin AccessU Registration is Open!
02-15-2012 Register today for a big discount on your registration fees!
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Integrating Accessibility in the Web Development Lifecycle
Join Denis as he talks about how to make accessibility part of the total development process, from beginning to end and back again!
Basic Accessibility Techniques
Get back to basics with Brenda and Cousett to learn the fundamentals of accessible web design.
Accessibility the Musical
Sharron and a panel of friends will remind you why accessibility is important in this fun, lively presentation to close out the second day of classes!
2012 Registration Rates & Deadlines
| March 15, 2012 | April 15, 2012 | May 10, 2012 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access U (May 15-16, 2012) | $390.00 | $435.00 | $495.00 |
| AccessU Post-Conference (May 17, 2012) | $295.00 | $325.00 | $375.00 |
| AccessU+ (Includes Conference & Post-Conference Registration) | $625.00 | $695.00 | $795.00 |
| AccessU at Your Desk (Live Virtual Sessions Plus Access to the Archives) | $125.00 | $140.00 | $160.00 |
A 20% discount is available for groups of 10 or more. Email kim@knowbility.org for more details.
Innovations in Accessibility – What We Can Learn from Digital Outcasts
The term “outcast” covers numerous demographic categories. It can represent the 54 million Americans currently living with a disability. It can refer to patients who live in isolation during long-term rehabilitation, with only a home care nurse for company. It could describe those living in economically fractured neighborhoods, who may not enjoy the same commercial opportunities as privileged communities. Finally, it covers anyone who relies on a product or service for basic life functions, but are prevented access by poor design.
Despite our growing potential to augment human capability through technology, the innovation curve sometimes leaves behind the people who could most benefit. Though they are called “digital outcasts,” they reside at the epicenter of today’s most exciting developments, often through personal initiative and a decidedly grassroots approach.
In this session, Kel Smith will discuss recent case studies in the areas of digital innovation, accessibility, health/wellness and citizenscience. Case studies will demonstrate how meeting the needs of disenfranchised populations creates ambient benefit to wider audiences, and how the efforts of digital outcasts bring measurable value to the same landscape that threatens to neglect them.
About Kel Smith
Kel Smith is a longtime speaker, author and practitioner on digital accessibility. His articles and papers appear in the Pentagon Library, Springer-Verlag, American Law Institute, American Bar Association, International Journal of E-Politics, Kent State’s Knowledge Management Program, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, E-Access Bulletin and UX Magazine.
Kel’s presentations include four appearances at the CSUN Conference for Persons with Disabilities (San Diego), two stints at World Future Society (Boston and Vancouver), the Royal National Institute of the Blind (London), the Interaction Design Association (Dublin), the Unitech ICT Network (Oslo), the Center for Health Literacy (Washington DC), the Society for Technical Communications (Sacramento) and the Universitat Autònoma (Barcelona).
About John Slatin AccessU
AccessU, an annual accessibility training institute presented by Knowbility, provides three days of instruction in how to make electronic information technology accessible to everyone - including people with disabilities. If you believe that the web should empower all people, need information about how to meet state and federal accessibility mandates, or are a commercial web developer who wants to understand emerging best business practices for the web, AccessU will provide the resources you need.
Join world renowned accessibility experts for two days of classes to improve your skills and better understand the the need and the techniques for inclusive IT design. For everything from the basics to the bleeding edge, AccessU is the place to be in May!
AccessU at Your Desk
In today’s economy, we know that not everyone can travel to Austin to attend AccessU. This year, AccessU can come to you! Featuring some of our top instructors, a select number of classes from the first day of the conference will be presented virtually – allowing you to participate in AccessU no matter where you are!
Even more, these presentations will be recorded, and the archives will be made available to all participants following the conference.
Who is John Slatin?
Dr. John Slatin was the founder of the Accessibility Institute at the University of Texas. In 2002, Sharron Rush, John Slatin, and other accessibility leaders sat in his office and brainstormed ideas for classes they wanted to make available to the community. Each class was written on a sticky note and moved around a white board until the outline for a kick-ass conference - the very first AccessU - was formed. In keeping with the Knowbility spirit to make accessibility fun, they planned some great social events around the classes, and each year following, the community grew and the classes improved. In 2008 when John died after a gallant fight against leukemia, the conference was named in his honor.
AccessU Meetup
Monday May 14, 06:00PM
ReWind (Wyndham Garden Hotel)
Get together with fellow AccessU attendees and instructors for a casual meetup at the conference hotel bar to kick off AccessU 2012.
Accessible Night Out
Tuesday May 15, 06:30PM
Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar (W 6th Street)
Located on Austin’s historic 6th Street, Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar is “a sing-along, clap-along, drink-along, have-one-helluva-good-time-along bar!” On the first night of AccessU, attendees are invited for an “accessible night out” featuring Pete’s own improvisational pianists, ASL interpreters, audio description, and much more! Heavy appetizers will be served. Transportation between St. Edward’s University and the conference hotel will be arranged for attendees. Each conference registration includes one ticket; additional tickets are available for purchase.
AccessU Happy Hour
Wednesday May 16, 05:00PM
Opal Divine’s, Penn Field Location (S. Congress)
After the close of classes on the second day of AccessU, wander over to Opal Divine’s Austin Grill, conveniently located next to St. Edward’s University on South Congress, for happy hour! This officially unofficial even is a great chance to talk with other attendees, ask questions from experts, and just relax after two days of intense learning. No food or drink will be provided by the ConferenceTalk with other attendees, ask questions from experts, and just relax after two days of intense learning.
AccessU Location
AccessU is located on the campus of St. Edward’s University, a private institution located in the heart of South Austin.
St. Edward’s University Website
Hotel Accommodations & Directions
Group rates are available at Wyndham Garden Hotel, located at Woodward and I-35. All conference attendees are responsible for securing their own room; be sure to ask for the AccessU group rates. Call 512-448-2444 to make your reservation.
From the North: Take IH-35 south to Exit 231 (Woodward Street) turn left at the light. The main hotel entrance is on the left.
From the South: Take IH-35 north to Exit 230 (Ben White Boulevard/Hwy 71/Hwy 290): stay on the IH-35 frontage road going north for 1.5 miles. The hotel entrance is on the right.
From Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: Take a left (west) out of the airport on I-71/Ben White Boulevard. Proceed 5 miles and turn right onto Woodward Street for .5 miles. The hotel entrance is on the right.
Meals & Snacks
Breakfast and lunch on each conference day are included in the cost of attendance.
The menu for the week is available for download. [Include link.] Efforts have been made to prepare an inclusive menu; however, those with significant dietary restrictions are encouraged to prepare and bring personal provisions.
Other Accommodations
In the spirit of inclusion, we make every effort to accommodate the special needs of our conference attendees. If you have a request or particular need, please contact Carolyn Gibbs, Community Programs Manager, at 512-305-0311.
Support AccessU
We need your support. Volunteer to help with the conference or become one of our sponsors.
Volunteer
Volunteer with us at AccessU to not only support the program, but receive a discount off of your registration! Volunteers help to guide conference attendees to their classes, assist with registration, and many other conference-related tasks. To sign up, please complete the volunteer form. Be sure to tell us that you’re volunteering specifically for AccessU in the comments and questions field.
Sponsor
Through sponsorship of AccessU, your company or organization will make a high profile statement of support for technology inclusion, for people with disabilities and for emerging accessibility standards. Several sponsorship levels are available; don’t wait to sign up!
Donate
As a registered 501(c)(3) organization, Knowbility presents AccessU through the generosity of our partners and supporters. To contribute to this program, and keep accessible technology education coming back year after year, donate to Knowbility today!
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