For way more information, testimonials, and resources about this event, visit davidberman.com/accessibility .

Course Description

Demystify accessibility standards! Most adults suffer from some level of disability or difficulty that can be mitigated through accessible Web site design. By using the immediately-applicable tips and techniques you'll learn in this powerful one-day Web accessibility course, not only will you comply with standards: you'll be broadening the audience for your Web site while enriching the experience of all your visitors.

Canada's federal government led the world when it first introduced its accessibility-centric Common Look & Feel (CLF) policy.

"Inspiring, engaging... techniques I can use."

- Liv Stenersen, Government Administration Services, Oslo (Norway)

David Berman will convince you of why accessibility and standards are important for everybody, then provide in-depth familiarity with federal and international guidelines that will help your Web presence be a more effective resource for your entire audience. You'll also gain familiarity with technologies that help people with specific disabilities and difficulties. The full-day course includes a thorough review of pertinent standards to comply with the Canadian government's world-leading Common Look and Feel policy and international W3C WCAG 2.0 guidelines, as well as testing recommendations for both. Finally, you'll venture into where accessibility meets usability. Not only will you leave with ideas you can use right away, you may also gain a whole new attitude towards how technology can improve lives. By the end of the day you will not only be aware of why accessibility and standards affect everyone: you'll be equipped with a thorough understanding of what needs to be done and how.

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Each full-day participant leaves with a comprehensive 80+ page learning guide, detailing every major accessibility guideline.

"Inspiring!"

- Morten Budeng, King Design

"Excellent."

- Sylvie Nyman, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

"Excellent storytelling. Thanks!"

- Sarah Rosenbaum, Norwegian Knowledge Centre for Health Services

What's Wrong

Computer-mediated accessibility to information perhaps represents the greatest liberation in human history. Most people in our societies have some sort of physical or mental difficulty which can stand in the way of clear Web communication unless proper design steps are taken.

Although most professional Web developers now create their sites with an awareness of technical design issues such as browser incompatibilities and platform dependencies, they are still experiencing difficulties with emerging accessibility standards. Many Web sites continue to be designed based on assumptions that don't address the specific needs of people with disabilities and difficulties and thus fail to deliver the promise of the Web to all users.

"Very good speaker - good sense of humour."

- Johan Fong, House of Commons

"Entertaining."

- Sjur Kristiansen, Telenor Telecommunications Group

What Makes This Course Unique

Your course leader, David Berman is a consultant on common look and feel implementation for large Web sites, and has worked on CLF projects for many large organizations including Statistics Canada, the National Research Council, and IBM. He has been the project manager of numerous accessible Web projects, has developed strategy and design for CRA, Health Canada, Canadian Heritage, Industry Canada, CMHC, and the International Space Station …as well as many private sector and non-profit organizations.

By addressing and understanding accessibility issues, Web developers can more effectively deliver their message to their whole audience, while complying with the legal and moral responsibilities, regardless of physical or mental impediment.

"I enjoyed it all."

- Robert Hallat, Public Service Commission

"Right on target."

- Marius Monsen, Reaktor ID

What You Will Learn

You will learn how to make your current sites more accessible by complying with current standards and guidelines. Specifically, you will learn:

• Why accessibility matters to everyone, not just those with disabilities
• The major disabilities and challenges: what they are and what technologies are typically used to mitigate them
• W3C WCAG checkpoints
• Common Look and Feel 2.0 standards and guidelines
• Specific technologies and design techniques used to satisfy accessibility concerns
• Testing frameworks for accessibility issues
• How to make PDF files more accessible
• Where accessibility meets usability

"Very good: made me think..."

- Bente Mollevik, Norwegian Savings Bank Association

Goals

At the end of this event, you will:

• Know many simple techniques you can apply right away to make Web content more accessible
• Have a comprehensive understanding of CLF and W3C accessibility guidelines and how to tackle them
• Be able to make informed decisions as to what degree you can practically comply with accessibility standards
• Understand better the experience of those with disabilities using the Web and new media products
• Know you're doing the "right thing" by ensuring accessibility for all

What You Get

When David Berman Communications hosts this seminar*, each participant receives:

• a complimentary, comprehensive learning guide (also available separately for $89 with optional 1-on-1 distance coaching)
• complimentary meals, snacks and beverages throughout
• a thirty-minute personal coaching tele-session within a month of the seminar
• the option to attend this seminar again in the future, as a refresher at no additional cost
• a money-back guarantee: if, after coaching and refresher, you don't think you've got your money's worth, we'll refund your entire registration fee

(*If you are attending one of our seminars hosted by another organization, confirm with them which of these items apply.)

Prerequisites

Some familiarity with the management and/or development of Web sites.

About the Expert Speaker

David Berman is the principal of David Berman Communications in Ottawa. He has over 25 years of experience in graphic design and strategic communications. He has worked extensively in adapting the printed word for electronic distribution, including software interface development.

David has extensive experience as a senior consultant in applying accessibility and CLF standards to federal government Web sites, as well as to public sector clients such as IBM, both as a strategist and compliance testing leader. He regularly teaches accessibility principles as part of his professional development workshops, and developed a custom two-day workshop for the National Research Council on accessibilty. His plain writing, design, and accessibility work include award-winning projects for the City of Ottawa, the Ontario government, and Canada's federal government. Clients include IBM, Justice Canada, HRDC, Canada Revenue Agency, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Region of Ottawa-Carleton and the Ontario Literacy Coalition. David has been featured in the Financial Post, Marketing, and Applied Arts magazines.

In addition to operating as one of the leading design strategists in Canada, in recent years David has also recommitted his career toward sharing his knowledge and unique talent as a manager and organizer through professional development seminars for creative organizations. He is an internationally-celebrated speaker, having taken engagements in over 20 countries.

David is a National Professional Member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) and the Global Speakers Federation (GSF). David is currently the Ethics Chair of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, and was named a Fellow (the highest professional honour for graphic designers in Canada) in 1999.

Who Should Attend

This seminar is targeted to all project managers, Webmasters, production coordinators, programming leaders, strategists, and controllers, involved in developing Web or other new media projects.

• People who need to get their Web site compliant with CLF and/or W3C WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards
• People who manage or plan Web sites
• People who coordinate people who build Web sites
• People who design or program Web sites
• People who represent clients who hire others to develop Web sites

Discounts

*Discount packages for non-profits, and travel subsidies available. Additional discounts available for groups over three people. If you refer at least four registrants to one of our events, we'll give you a complimentary registration to a seminar of your choice. TimeTo full professional licensees receive a $100 discount to the seminar. Call (613) 728-6777 for details.

This event qualifies for MAS and CAS credits under the Master & Certified Advertising Specialist Program. For details, please contact PPAC or PPAI.

Special corporate rates:

Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD)

Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC)

International Association of Business Communicators (AISB).

(if your association should be listed here, call us. Thank you.)

All prices, offerings, and dates subject to change without notice.

David Berman Communications full event schedule