Accessing Higher Ground Accessible Media, Web & Technology Conference
Presented by AHEAD in Collaboration with ATHEN
November 14–18, 2016
Westminster, CO
Twitter: @AHGround, #AHG16
facebook.com/AccessingHigherGround
Overall Schedule
Monday, November 14
9 am - 5 pm Registration Desk Open
9 - 10:30 am AM Coffee Break
10:30 am - 1 pm Preconference Sessions
1 - 2:30 pm Lunch (on your own)
3:30 - 4 pm PM coffee break
2:30 - 5 pm Preconference Sessions
Tuesday, November 15
8 am - 4:30 pm Registration Desk Open
10:30 - 11 am AM Coffee Break
9 am - Noon Preconference Sessions
Noon - 1:30 pm Lunch (on your own)
3 - 3:30 pm PM Coffee Break
1:30 - 4:30 pm Preconference Sessions
5:30 - 7 pm WAI-IG Meet and Greet (optional)
Wednesday, November 16
7:30 am - 4:30 pm Registration Desk Open
8 - 9 am Breakout Sessions
9 am - 6:30 pm Exhibit Hall Open
9:15 - 10:15 am Breakout Sessions
10:15 - 11:15 am Exhibit Hall Refreshment Break
11:15 am - 12:15 pm Breakout Sessions
12:20 - 2 pm Keynote Luncheon
2:15 - 3:15 pm Breakout Sessions
3:30 - 4:30 pm Breakout Sessions
4:30 - 6:30 pm Exhibit Hall Reception
7 - 9 pm Audio Description Jamboree (Tickets Required, see pg. 17)
Thursday, November 17
7:30 am - 5 pm Registration Desk Open
9 am - 5 pm Exhibit Hall Open
8 - 9 am Breakout Sessions
9:15 - 10:15 am Breakout Sessions
10:15 - 11:15 am Roundtable Discussions
11:15 am - 12:15 pm Exhibit Hall Refreshment Break
12:30 - 2 pm Plenary Lunch
2:15 - 3:15 pm Breakout Sessions
3:15 - 4 pm Exhibit Hall Refreshment Break
4 - 5 pm Breakout Sessions
5:30 - 7:30 pm ATHEN Annual Meeting
Friday, November 18
8 am - 1 pm Registration Desk Open
8 - 9 am Unconference
9:15 - 10:15 am Breakout Sessions
10:15 - 10:30 am Refreshment Break
10:30 - 11:30 am Breakout Sessions
11:45 am - 12:45 pm Breakout Sessions
We want to hear your feedback! Conference evaluation forms at
accessinghigherground.org/evaluate/
Thank You AHG 2016 Sponsors!
247 Accessible Documents
3Play Media
Adobe
Cryptzone
Deque Systems
Equidox by Onix
GrackleDocs
GreyHeller
Netcentric Technologies
PostCAP, LLC
Sonocent, LLC
SSB BART Group
The Paciello Group
Table of Contents
Preconference Sessions 3-7
Breakout Sessions 7-31
Wednesday 7-17
Thursday 17-26
Friday 27-31
Exhibitor Presentation Schedule 31-32
Exhibit Hall Assignments 32
Exhibitor Directory 33-38
Local Information 38
Monday, November 14, Preconference
9 am - 5 pm Registration Desk Open, Fountain Greens Foyer
9 - 10:30 am AM Coffee Break, Standley Foyer
10:30 am - 1 pm Preconference Sessions
1 - 2:30 pm Lunch (on your own)
3:30 - 4 pm PM Coffee Break, Standley Foyer
2:30 - 5 pm Preconference Sessions
Full Day Sessions, 10:30 am - 5 pm
Creating Accessible Forms Using Adobe Acrobat Pro
Karen McCall, Karlen Communications
Standley II Lab
This one-day hands-on workshop will walk participants through the concepts and creation of accessible PDF forms using Adobe Acrobat Pro. Topics include the design of accessible forms, working with scanned forms and the validation of accessible PDF forms.
Alternate Format: It’s Not Just Handing a Student a Publisher PDF
Susan Kelmer, University of Colorado Boulder, Pamela Starks, Front Range Community College
Standley I Lab
Alternate format production processes for the beginner-to-intermediate participant. Session will be interactive, allowing participants to try different software and hardware. Attendees should come away with solid information on how to provide students with alternate format and an understanding of the industry’s best practices.
Web Accessibility 101 with Accessible University 3.0
Terrill Thompson, University of Washington
Westminster II
In this session, attendees will explore 18 web accessibility issues using Accessible University 3.0, a demo site designed to be used in web accessibility trainings. This is a fun, interactive way for beginners to learn about web accessibility, and for advanced attendees to pick up ideas, tips and resources that can help in their own trainings.
Working with Inaccessible PDFs
Gaeir Dietrich, HTCTU
Westminster IV
PDF has become the de facto format of choice for publishers and faculty, but as an alternate format, PDFs can often be problematic. In this hands-on session, we will explore how to make your PDFs more usable and, when necessary, how to change your PDFs into a more user-friendly format.
Half-Day Sessions Morning, 10:30 am - 1 pm
Evaluating Web Accessibility
Jared Smith, WebAIM
Westminster III
This hands-on session will present methodologies, resources, and tools for evaluating web content for accessibility and WCAG 2.0 compliance.
Evaluating Electronic Information Technology (EIT) for University Procurement (Virtual)
James Jackson, Michigan State University
Westminster I
This workshop will help participants develop skills for creating and sustaining effective processes for purchasing accessible EIT. Specific skills covered will include how to interpret accessibility documentation, basic techniques for evaluating EIT, how to do risk assessment, and tips for engaging with vendors.
Half-Day Sessions Afternoon, 2:30 - 5 pm
ARIA Implementation-Moving Beyond the Basics, WebAIM
Jared Smith, WebAIM
Westminster III
ARIA has great potential to improve accessibility, but abuse, misuse, and overuse of ARIA is instead resulting in less accessible web content. This session will explore common misuse of ARIA and provide guidance for proper implementation of ARIA in complex web applications.
Writing Video Transcripts, Captions, and Audio Descriptions (Virtual)
Gian Wild, AccessibilityOz
Westminster I
Learn how to write transcripts, captions and audio descriptions for your videos and then upload them to YouTube or use OzPlayer on your site for your users.
Tuesday Novemeber 15, Preconference
8 am - 4:30 pm Registration Desk Open
9 am - Noon Preconference Sessions
10:30 - 11 am AM Coffee Break
Noon - 1:30 pm Lunch (on your own)
3 - 3:30 pm PM Coffee Break
1:30 - 4:30 pm Preconference Sessions
5:30 - 7 pm WAI-IG Meet and Greet (optional)
Full Day Sessions, 9 am - 4:30 pm
Accessible Adobe InDesign Layouts (to Produced Accessible PDFs and EPUBS)
Bevi Chagnon, PubCom
Standley I Lab
Hands-on workshop lead by an InDesign ACE and designer. Master the tips, methods and strategies that produce accessible PDFs and EPUBs from InDesign with the correct tags and reading orders. Guidance for creating templates for books and academic materials, as well as public-facing items.
Implementing WCAG 2.0 with HTML5 and ARIA Techniques
Jon Gunderson, University of Illinois
Standley II Lab
Implementing WCAG 2.0earn about how to use HTML5 and ARIA 1.1 technologies to make websites that conform to WCAG Level A and AA requirements. Learn how assistive technologies present this information to users of assistive technology and to evaluate web content with open source tools.
Testing for Accessibility with Common Screen Readers
Hadi Rangin, University of Washington;
Robert Beach, Kansas City Kansas Community College; Lucy Greco, University of California, Berkeley
Westminster IV
In this hands-on, full-day, pre-conference workshop, we will introduce the basics of screen reader accessibility testing and how you can use JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver (on the Mac and iOS), and Android TalkBack to evaluate the usability of a web application or website.
Mobile Accessibility Strategies & Standards-What’s New in 2016? (Virtual)
Kathy Wahlbin, Interactive Accessibility
Westminster II
Mobile devices have significantly changed the way that people access content and services, and this opens new opportunities for persons with disabilities. This hands-on session will cover all the basics of mobile accessibility.
Half-Day Sessions Morning, 9 am - Noon
Teaching you to Teach Others about STEM Accessibility
Krista Greear, University of Washington
Westminster I
Give conference attendees a high level view of the main issues in PRINT STEM accessibility and be able to retain information and communicate that to their organization.
Advanced Accessibility: Deep Dive for Developers
Eric Eggert, Knowbility
Westminster III
A BYOD session that shows you tips, tools, tests and procedures to produce or enhance a website’s accessibility as a developer.
Half-Day Sessions Afternoon, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
Creating Tactile Graphics, Geeky to Artsy Approaches
Robert Beach, Kansas City Community College
Gaeir Dietrich, High Tech Center Training Unit
Lucia Hasty, Rocky Mountain Braille Associates
Westminster I
The presenters will demonstrate technologies to assist in designing graphics. Then participants will be given the opportunity to create graphics using an assortment of non-techy tools. The concept of “what is important to the graphic” will be discussed throughout the workshop.
Simplify your Development Life with Tools, Tests, and Procedures (Virtual)
Eric Eggert, Knowbility
Westminster III
When implementing accessibility solutions in websites, it is necessary to test if the outcome is working flawlessly or if there are errors.
Special Event, 5:30 - 7 pm
Meet and Greet with WAI-IG (Web Accessibility Initiative Interest Group)
Cotton Creek I/II
Whether or not you subscribe to the WAI-IG list at the W3C, you are a stakeholder in the future of web accessibility and WAI staff and Working Group participants want to meet you and hear your ideas. Join us for an informal Happy Hour to encourage dialogue and welcome those who may be new to the topic. Learn more about current works in progress at WAI, how you can be more involved, and tell us how WAI can be most useful to the community. If you have ideas for future directions for WAI or if you just want to catch up with old friends from the list, WAI staff, volunteers and other IG subscribers are eager to meet you. Hope you can stop by after the sessions end on Tuesday.
Wednesday November 16
7:30 am - 4:30 pm Registration Desk Open
8 - 9 am Breakout Sessions
9 am - 6:30 pm Exhibit Hall Open, Westminster Ballroom Foyer
9:15 - 10:15 am Breakout Sessions
10:15 - 11:15 am Exhibit Hall Refreshment Break
11:15 am - 12:15 pm Breakout Sessions
12:20 - 2 pm Keynote Luncheon
2:15 - 3:15 pm Breakout Sessions
3:30 - 4:30 pm Breakout Sessions
4:30 - 6:30 pm Exhibit Hall Reception
7 - 9 pm Off Site Event (optional): Audio Description Jamboree
Breakout Sessions, 8 - 9 am
Automated Testing Tools Crash Course (Virtual Track B)
Luis Garcia, eBay
Standley I
Demonstrations on using commonly used free automated testing tools: Accessibility Dev Tools (Chrome), aXe (Chrome and Firefox), AInspector (Firefox), and WAVE(Chrome)
Captioning, Critically and Creatively
Brenda Brueggemann, University of Connecticut
Standley II
Discussion of captioning’s history and context, followed by hands-on workshop with critical and creative approaches to captioning videos/events based on audience, tone, aesthetics, impact.
Sharing Accessible Materials: Building Collaborative Repositories and Registries
Sue-Ann Ma, Benetech
Gaeir Dietrich, High Tech Center Training Unit
Westminster Ballroom I
For years, postsecondary institutions have worked in siloes to create accessible accommodations for students. Recent trends reveal interest in sharing educational files, like tactile graphics, across organizations. Come hear about the latest collaborations in this space, including the DIAGRAM Center’s new tool-Accessible Image Repository/Registry.
ARIA: What, Why, and When
Philip Kragnes, University of Minnesota
Westminster Ballroom II
Learn about the W3C WAI ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) suite, why it was developed, when its use enhances accessibility and when its use is critical.
Free and Low-Cost Reading Tools for the Common Man
Susan Kelmer, University of Colorado Boulder
Westminster Ballroom III
You don’t need a reading disability to benefit from text-to-speech or other helpful tools that work with technology we already use. Beyond Siri, Cortana, and Google Assistant, what other tools exist that may help you get through reading materials more quickly and with less distraction?
11 Ways to Increase Technology Usage on Campus
Kay Tepera, Texthelp
Westminster Ballroom IV
After spending time finding the right technology solutions for your campus, don’t let that effort go to waste by not implementing and promoting the new software to students. Come hear some tips we’ve collected from universities across the country who have had success getting students to use newly adopted software.
Voice Over and Mac 101
Robert Beach, Kansas City Community College
Waverly
Using Voice Over on the Mac is different from using Windows based screen readers. This session will highlight some of those differences and give tips for getting started with Voice Over.
Updates to Social Media Accessibility in 2016
Gian Wild, AccessibilityOz
Windsor
2016 has seen a great increase in social media networks attempting to be accessible, with the advent of Facebook’s image recognition and Twitter’s image description. But can we truly say that social media is accessible? Gian Wild reviews the improvements in accessibility compliance.
Effectively Accommodating Low Vision Students (Virtual Track A)
Jenna Atkinson, Utah Valley University, Laura Loree, UVU
Meadowbrook I/II
Working with low-vision students is different than accommodating a blind student. Presenters will discuss the unique challenges low-vision students face, suggestions for accommodations and what counselors and AT specialists should ask in an initial intake.
What One School Learned from DOJ/OCR Rulings at Other Institutions
Sheryl Burgstahler, University of Washington, Terrill Thompson, University of Washington
Cotton Creek I
Presenters in this session will address issues related to ensuring the accessibility of IT. They will share how the results of legal challenges on campuses nationwide have helped shape services at the University of Washington.
SVG - Making Interactive Graphics Accessible
Charles McCathie Nevile, Yandex
Cotton Creek II
SVG brings interactive graphics to HTML in all modern-ish browsers. It can offer much more for accessibility than an alt tag and a couple of labels. What really works, and what is still being worked on?
Exhibitor Presentation, 9 - 9:30 am,
GrackleDocs, Making Accessible Output from Google Docs is Easy, Paul Walker
Exhibitor Presentation, 9:45 - 10:15 am
Equidox by Onix, Converting PDFs to HTML, Patrick McGovern
Breakout Sessions, 9:15 - 10:15 am
Automated Testing Tools Crash Course, Continued (Virtual Track B)
Luis Garcia, eBay
Standley I
Demonstrations on using commonly used free automated testing tools: Accessibility Dev Tools (Chrome), aXe (Chrome and Firefox), AInspector (Firefox), and WAVE(Chrome)
Captioning, Critically and Creatively, Continued
Brenda Brueggemann, University of Connecticut
Standley II
Discussion of captioning’s history and context, followed by hands-on workshop with critical and creative approaches to captioning videos/events based on audience, tone, aesthetics, impact.
ADA and the Internet—Legal Update