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Thursday, April 11, 2013 - 3:15pm - 4:15pm
Special Topics

Integrating Canadian Accessibility Requirements into Your Projects

In 2014, most Canadian businesses will face significant challenges as government regulations go into effect, requiring websites to be accessible to users with disabilities. Are your project teams knowledgeable about the technical accessibility standards? Is your business ready to comply with the regulations? Dan Shire and David Best review the key principles of web accessibility (WCAG 2.0) and the government regulations (including Ontario’s AODA) that your organization must meet. Dan provides specific guidance on planning and executing effective accessibility testing and for building your test team skills. David demonstrates testing tools and techniques, including the use of assistive technology including the JAWS screen reader. Together, they will review IBM’s practical experiences: focusing your testing efforts on the most critical standards, selecting your testing tools, building and training your test teams, and prioritizing the results of your accessibility testing to achieve the maximum benefits for the business while minimizing cost and schedule impacts to the project.

Dan Shire, IBM Canada

An IBM senior consultant with nearly thirty years of IT experience, Dan Shire is the IBM Canada Global Services team leader for accessibility. For the past twelve years Dan has focused on improving the user experience and accessibility of his client’s websites. He has designed, tested, and delivered engaging and accessible websites for a range of private sector businesses including large Canadian banks, as well as designing and testing multiple provincial and federal government sites and applications used by millions of Canadians.

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David Best, IBM Canada

A systems software developer for thirty-two years, specializing in the MVS mainframe and website environment, David Best has extensive advocacy experience with information technologies and workplace strategies for disabled employees. David is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing e-business data analytics and reporting solutions in the travel and transportation sector.

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