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Back for the third year, Global Accessibility Awareness Day Detroit is a day for web professionals to gather together to learn about accessibility and how to make the web more accessible and usable by everyone. Events will be held around the world to raise awareness about web accessibility.

This year's event is jointly hosted by Refresh Detroit (opens new window) and Metro Detroit WordPress (opens new window).

Who is this event for?

If you're working on the web, creating, developing, or designing websites or content for others to use, this event is for you! Or if you want to learn how we can work together to make the web accessible to everyone, we'd love for you to attend.

Learn to listen: Experience the Web from the perspective of a screen reader user

You work hard on your web content, the goal being for that content to reach as wide an audience as possible. To that end, you study all the accessibility-related guidelines and do your best to apply them to your work.

But what does it all really mean? How does someone who uses a screen reader experience your site? How will the next change you're planning to make impact that experience?

In this hands-on session with Al Puzzuoli, you will learn to use a screen reader as a tool to answer the questions above.

• First, you'll learn the basics of controlling your computer and navigating the web, using only a screen reader and your keyboard.
• Next, you will see examples of accessible sites that play nice with screen readers, and other inaccessible ones, which decidedly do not.
• Finally, the fun begins, as it will be time to play! You will have the opportunity to go the the website of your choice, and use your newly honed skills to do some basic accessibility testing

Note for all attendees: If you have a Windows or Mac laptop, we encourage you to bring it so you can get hands-on with a screen reader. We'll be working in small groups.

Windows users are recommended to download and install the free NVDA screen reader (opens new window) on the laptop before the event.

Al Puzzuoli

As the resident Information Technologist at Michigan State University’s Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (opens new window), Al Puzzuoli spends his time doing network and server administration, troubleshooting computer concerns, and working with staff and students to test the accessibility of various information systems across campus.

When he is not working (or playing with computers), Al enjoys swimming, playing the trumpet, bowling, and spectator sports.

Agenda

6:30pm to 7:00pm: Welcome, refreshments, and networking 7:00pm to 7:10pm: Introductions 7:10pm to 8:20pm: Presentation and interactive workshop 8:20pm to 8:30pm: Announcements 8:30pm: Time to leave

Sponsorship Opportunities

By sponsoring our event, you’ll have access to an audience of web and business professionals throughout southeast Michigan and northwest Ohio.

To thank you for your sponsorship, Refresh Detroit offers a number of benefits. Contact Deborah at deborah at lireo dot com for more information.