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Join us in Austin on  May 15-16, 2012 for John Slatin AccessU, a two-day intensive training conference for web developers and designers, IT managers, policy developers, usability professionals, media specialists, and more.

If you believe that the web should empower all people, if you need information on how to meet state and federal accessibility mandates, or if you want to maximize your company's web presence to make sure that your message reaches all people, AccessU is the place to be in May. Two full days of classes will be presented by world-renowned accessibility experts to help you understand the need for inclusive information technology design, improve your skills, and build upon your knowledge with helpful techniques. From the basics to the bleeding edge, AccessU provides the resources you need. Additionally, optional extended classes will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2012.

Choose from four professional tracks (Policy & Administration; Design & Usability; Web Development; and Content) to best suit your goals and responsibilities!

Kel Smith

Keynote Speaker: Kel Smith

Kel Smith, a longtime speaker, author and practitioner on digital accessibility, will present the Keynote session on Tuesday, May 15th to discuss 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.

Networking Opportunities & Events

  • AccessU Meetup (May 14, 6:00pm, ReWind Lounge - Wyndham Garden Hotel). An informal meetup at the conference hotel bar to kick off AccessU 2012.
  • Accessible Night Out (May 15, 6:30pm, Pete's Dueling Piano Bar). A night on the town with Pete's own improvisational pianists, ASL interpreters, audio description, and much more!
  • AccessU Happy Hour (May 16, 5:00pm, Opal Divine's – Penn Field) An officially unofficial opportunity to talk with other attendees and instructors, ask questions from experts, and just relax after two days of intense learning.

AccessU @ Your Desk

Can't make it to Austin? No problem! Through a partnership with Environments for Humans, a full day of courses chosen from the first day's schedule will be presented virtually – allowing you to build your accessible IT skills no matter where you are! Even more, you will have access to the archives for each presentation – including the full conference resources.
Registration is Open!
Want to save money? Register by March 15th for the best rates! See the AccessU website for details; below are the full conference rates:

General Registration (Includes 2 Conference Days + Lunch): $495.00
Post-Conference (May 17 Only + Lunch): $375.00
General Registration + Post-Conference: $795.00
AccessU @ Your Desk (Virtual Presentations + Archives): $160.00

Plus, a discount of 20% is available for groups of 20 or more. Contact Kim Leno for details.

More Information

Stay Tuned - More information will be updated on the John Slatin AccessU Webpage over the coming weeks, including class descriptions, schedules, accommodations.
Sponsor AccessU - For sponsor information contact Carolyn Gibbs, Community Programs Manager.
John Slatin AccessU is presented through a partnership of Knowbility, Inc. and St. Edward's University, with the support of David Waldron and the entire St. Edwards Information Technology Department.