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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260402T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260402T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
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UID:10001037-1775124000-1775129400@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Beyond Technical Accessibility: European Accessibility Act Compliance Requirements: Bet Hannon
DESCRIPTION:The European Accessibility Act requires a number of things beyond technical accessibility to WCAG/EN 301 549 guidelines. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of what compliance requires and how to start preparing. This session will break down who needs to comply\, which standards apply today\, and what’s coming next\, plus what early enforcement looks like. \n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nBet Hannon (CPACC) is the CEO of AccessiCart\, a services agency that helps eCommerce brands remove barriers for customers with disabilities and meet web accessibility compliance requirements (like ADA and the EAA – the European Accessibility Act). AccessiCart specializes in testing\, consulting and reporting alongside existing website teams to level up skills and educate regarding compliance. \nWhen not working\, Bet enjoys cooking\, Irish whiskey and hiking and snowshoeing near Bend\, Oregon where she lives. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive Captioning + Transcription: Kinsta\nOrganizer and Host: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/beyond-technical-accessibility-european-accessibility-act-compliance-requirements-bet-hannon/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/020426-Bet-Hannon.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260317T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260317T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20260220T162324Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T153646Z
UID:10001034-1773741600-1773745200@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Scaling Accessibility: Treating Accessibility as Frontend Architecture and a Leadership Responsibility: Niharika Pujari
DESCRIPTION:Most teams approach accessibility through training\, audits\, or late-stage QA. While these efforts are important\, they don’t scale – especially as frontend codebases grow more complex and teams rely on shared components and design systems. \nIn this talk\, Niharika will reframe accessibility as a frontend architecture concern and a leadership responsibility\, not just an individual skill or compliance task. We’ll look at how accessibility outcomes are shaped by architectural decisions – component APIs\, state and focus management\, and system-level defaults and why fixing issues after implementation leads to recurring accessibility debt. \nNiharika will walk you through how to shift accessibility left across the frontend lifecycle: from design constraints and reusable patterns\, to accessible component primitives\, to automated feedback that catches regressions early. Finally\, we’ll explore the role of frontend leads in making accessibility stick – by setting standards\, enabling teams\, and measuring success beyond checklists. \nYou will leave with concrete\, actionable practices you can apply immediately\, whether you are working on a single product or a shared frontend platform.\n \nAfter this session\, you will be able to: \n\n\nExplain why common accessibility approaches don’t scale in modern frontend teams.\nIdentify architectural decisions that have the biggest accessibility impact.\nApply “shift left” principles to accessibility in design\, development\, and CI.\nUse component systems to prevent common accessibility regressions.\nInfluence accessibility adoption across teams without slowing delivery.\n\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nNiharika P. Pujari is a Lead Software Engineer at McGraw-Hill with over eight years of experience designing\, developing\, and delivering robust\, full-stack web applications. Niharika works in the higher education space\, building technology that supports instructors\, institutions\, and learners through scalable backend systems and thoughtful end-to-end solutions that drive real educational impact. \nNiharika’s expertise includes frontend development with Angular\, a strong focus on web accessibility\, and creating inclusive\, user-centric interfaces. Niharika has also been expanding my skills in AWS\, supported by hands-on learning and certifications\, to design reliable and scalable cloud-based solutions. \nNiharika is passionate about writing clean\, efficient code\, mentoring engineers\, and continuously learning. Niharika is particularly interested in exploring artificial intelligence and how it can be applied responsibly to enhance learning experiences and improve student outcomes. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive Captioning + Transcription: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and Host: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/scaling-accessibility-treating-accessibility-as-frontend-architecture-and-a-leadership-responsibility-niharika-pujari/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/031726-Niharika-Pujari.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260305T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260305T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20260206T170650Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T153611Z
UID:10001032-1772704800-1772710200@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:How to Audit a Web Page: Behind the Scenes on Equalize Digital's Process: Amber Hinds
DESCRIPTION:Ever wondered what actually goes into a professional accessibility audit? Looking for tips to include in your own auditing process? In this session\, Amber Hinds\, CEO of Equalize Digital\, pulls back the curtain on the real-world process her team uses to audit web pages for accessibility. \n\nAmber will walk through how a single page is evaluated from start to finish—covering automated tools\, manual testing techniques\, screen reader usage\, and how findings are documented in a way that’s clear\, actionable\, and aligned with WCAG. You’ll get an inside look at the audit site Equalize Digital built to manage their issues library\, which speeds up report creation.\nThis behind-the-scenes session is ideal for:\n\nAccessibility testers and auditors\nDevelopers and designers who want to understand audit expectations\nAgencies and teams delivering accessibility reports to clients\nAnyone curious about what makes an audit thorough\, accurate\, and trustworthy\n\nAttendees will leave with a better understanding of how to test and report findings\, along with remediation guidance that teams can actually use.\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nAmber Hinds is the CEO of Equalize Digital\, Inc.\, a company specializing in WordPress accessibility and maker of the Accessibility Checker plugin. She is the lead organizer of the WordPress Accessibility Meetup\, board president/co-lead organizer of the WP Accessibility Day nonprofit\, and participates in the WordPress core accessibility team. \nThrough her work at Equalize Digital\, Amber is striving to create a world where all people have equal access to information and tools on the internet\, regardless of ability. Since 2010\, she has led teams building websites and web applications for nonprofits\, K-12 and higher education institutions\, government agencies\, and businesses of all sizes\, and has become a passionate accessibility advocate. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive Captioning + Transcription: Kinsta\nOrganizer and Host: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/how-to-audit-a-web-page-behind-the-scenes-on-equalize-digitals-process-amber-hinds/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/030526-Amber-Hinds.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260217T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260217T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20260123T203641Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T203641Z
UID:10001030-1771322400-1771326000@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Making Digital Documents Accessible: Practical Steps for Inclusive Design: Samantha Merrett
DESCRIPTION:Samantha Merrett will walk you through how to create digital documents that are truly accessible\, sharing practical tips and hands-on guidance you can use right away. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to meet global accessibility requirements while making your documents easier for everyone to read\, navigate\, and use. \nLearning Outcomes:\n\nUnderstand why document accessibility is critical for compliance and inclusion.\nIdentify common accessibility barriers in PDFs\, Word\, and PowerPoint files.\nApply practical techniques: heading structure\, alt text\, color contrast\, tables\, and links.\nUse built-in tools and checkers to test and improve accessibility.\nGain insight into real-world examples and best practices.\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nSamantha Merrett is a Senior Accessibility Specialist at the Ministry of Justice\, where she leads strategic initiatives to embed accessibility across digital services. With over 7 years of experience championing accessible documents and inclusive design\, Samantha has developed cross-government training programs\, created hands-on learning spaces like the MoJ Accessibility Bar\, and co-organises the Document Accessibility Community of Practice\, a network spanning 65+ public sector organisations. \nShe is CPACC certified and passionate about moving accessibility beyond compliance by fostering empathy-driven experiences. Samantha has presented at major conferences\, including WordPress Accessibility Day and the MoJ Digital Accessibility Conference\, and regularly collaborates with government teams to improve accessibility standards and capability. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/making-digital-documents-accessible-practical-steps-for-inclusive-design-samantha-merrett/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/021726-Samantha-Merrett.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260205T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260205T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20251224T165345Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251224T165345Z
UID:10001027-1770285600-1770291000@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Live Website Remediation with Brian Coords
DESCRIPTION:Join us for round two of live accessibility remediation with Brian Coords! In this meetup\, Amber and Brian will continue improving the accessibility of Brian’s podcast website\, webmasters.fm. They’ll identify common accessibility issues using both automated and manual testing tools\, explain why these issues matter to users with disabilities\, and demonstrate how to resolve them directly in the WordPress editor or through code. You’ll see practical examples of improving markup\, site structure\, keyboard navigation\, color contrast\, and more — all with clear explanations that developers\, designers\, and content creators can follow. \nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speakers\n\n\nAmber Hinds\nAmber Hinds is the CEO of Equalize Digital\, Inc.\, a company specializing in WordPress accessibility and maker of the Accessibility Checker plugin. She is the lead organizer of the WordPress Accessibility Meetup\, board president/co-lead organizer of the WP Accessibility Day nonprofit\, and participates in the WordPress core accessibility team. \nBrian Coords\nBrian Coords is a Developer Advocate at WooCommerce and has spent over a decade as a WordPress developer\, writer\, and instructor. He is the host of the Webmasters.fm podcast. You can also find his writing on industry publications like WP Tavern\, MasterWP\, The WP Minute\, and his personal technology blog. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/live-website-remediation-with-brian-coords-2/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/02052026-Amber-Hinds-and-Brian-Coords.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260108T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260108T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20251127T225239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251127T225239Z
UID:10001024-1767866400-1767871800@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Introduction to the Screen Reader Ropes Course: Demystifying Screen Reader Use for Manual Testing: Deneb Pulsipher and Kosi Asabere
DESCRIPTION:Accessibility professionals all know screen reader testing is important\, but the barrier to entry is fairly high: before you can test with a screen reader\, you have to know how to use a screen reader. Wrapping your mind around all those keystrokes and what they do can be difficult. In this webinar we’ll break it down for you\, and show you how to use the free screen reader of your choice to go through our Screen Reader Ropes Course\, which\, by the way\, you should return to again and again to practice. \nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speakers\n\n\nDeneb Pulsipher\nDeneb\, “Captain Accessible” at SeaMonster Studios\, is excited to ferret out ways to make websites more accessible to all people who come to them\, no matter what set of abilities they have\, or assistive technologies they use. He heads up the accessibility efforts at SeaMonster Studios\, and has done since shortly after being hired there\, where he built the program from the ground up. Deneb’s passion is making sure the internet is coded right\, which means thoroughly reviewing all the sites SeaMonster builds before they release them into the wild\, and also sporadically emailing owners of the sites he happens on while surfing that could use some accessibility improvements. \nAkosua “Kosi” Asabere\nAkosua “Kosi” Asabere is a Senior Accessibility Engineer and Inclusive Design Strategist. She consults with organizations on embedding accessibility best practices throughout the product lifecycle\, from discovery and design to development\, testing\, and long-term governance. As a native screen reader user and former Accessibility Specialist at the W3C\, she combines lived experience with deep technical expertise. She has advanced accessibility across government\, higher education\, nonprofits\, and startups. As an Accessibility and Assistive Technology Trainer\, she has trained hundreds of people with and without disabilities to use screen readers\, magnification tools\, text-to-speech\, and other adaptive technologies. As Head of Accessibility at a small technology startup\, Kosi leads teams in creating intuitive\, user-centered accessible products. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/introduction-to-the-screen-reader-ropes-course-demystifying-screen-reader-use-for-manual-testing-deneb-pulsipher-and-kosi-asabere/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/01082026-Deneb-Pulsipher-and-Kosi-Asabere.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251204T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251204T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20251119T224507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251119T224507Z
UID:10001023-1764842400-1764847800@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Live Website Remediation with Brian Coords
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special hands-on edition of the WordPress Accessibility Meetup! In this session\, Amber Hinds will team up with Brian Coords\, Developer Advocate at WooCommerce\, to perform live accessibility remediation on a real WordPress website. \nAmber and Brian will identify common accessibility issues using both automated and manual testing tools\, explain why these issues matter to users with disabilities\, and demonstrate how to resolve them directly in the WordPress editor or through code. You’ll see practical examples of improving markup\, site structure\, keyboard navigation\, color contrast\, and more — all with clear explanations that developers\, designers\, and content creators can follow. \nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speakers\n\n\nAmber Hinds\nAmber Hinds is the CEO of Equalize Digital\, Inc.\, a company specializing in WordPress accessibility and maker of the Accessibility Checker plugin. She is the lead organizer of the WordPress Accessibility Meetup\, board president/co-lead organizer of the WP Accessibility Day nonprofit\, and participates in the WordPress core accessibility team. \nBrian Coords\nBrian Coords is a Developer Advocate at WooCommerce and has spent over a decade as a WordPress developer\, writer\, and instructor. He is the host of the Webmasters.fm podcast. You can also find his writing on industry publications like WP Tavern\, MasterWP\, The WP Minute\, and his personal technology blog. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/live-website-remediation-with-brian-coords/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/12042025-Amber-Hinds-and-Brian-Coords.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251113T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251113T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250930T160633Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250930T160633Z
UID:10001017-1763028000-1763033400@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Chat with Matt Mullenweg: Past\, Present & Future of Accessibility in WordPress
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special WordPress Accessibility Meetup featuring a Conversation between Matt Mullenweg\, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic\, and Amber Hinds\, CEO of Equalize Digital. Together\, they’ll reflect on how accessibility in WordPress has evolved over the past 20+ years and look ahead to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. \nThe conversation will explore: \n\nThe origins and growth of the WordPress Accessibility Team\, and how accessibility has shaped the project.\nThe role accessibility can play in driving innovation across the WordPress ecosystem.\nOpportunities for automated testing for plugins and themes.\nHow the community can better support accessibility contributors and bring more people into the work.\nHow Automattic approaches accessibility in its products and the value they’ve seen from investing in accessibility.\n\nWhether you’re a long-time WordPress contributor\, an accessibility professional\, or just starting your journey\, this meetup offers a unique opportunity to hear from Matt Mullenweg about his perspective on accessibility in the WordPress project and share ideas on how it may be shaped in the future. \n\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom.\n\n\nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nMatt Mullenweg is co-founder of the open-source publishing platform WordPress\, which now powers over 40% of all sites on the web. He is the founder and CEO of Automattic\, the company behind WordPress.com\, WooCommerce\, Tumblr\, WPVIP\, Day One\, Beeper\, and Pocket Casts. Additionally\, Matt runs Audrey Capital\, an investment and research company. He has been recognized for his leadership by Forbes\, Bloomberg Businessweek\, Inc. Magazine\, TechCrunch\, Fortune\, Fast Company\, Wired\, University Philosophical Society\, and Vanity Fair. \nMatt is originally from Houston\, Texas\, where he attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and studied jazz saxophone. In his spare time\, Matt is an avid photographer. He currently splits his time between Houston and San Francisco. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: Kinsta\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/chat-with-matt-mullenweg-past-present-future-of-accessibility-in-wordpress/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/111325-Matt-Mullenweg.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251002T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251002T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250819T162502Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250819T162502Z
UID:10001013-1759399200-1759404600@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Convince Your Clients of Accessibility: Arguments and Business Cases: Annelies Verhelst
DESCRIPTION:Many agencies want to do right by disabled people. They want to make their clients’ websites accessible. Because\, why wouldn’t you? And sure\, many things you can do without even notifying your client. Have accessible building blocks\, implement them in designs or code when the time is there to update anyway\, only the people who need it will notice. Right? Wrong. Clients will find out\, and they will confront you about it. And if you want to go even further? Oh no\, the costs! The knowledge! The energy! It can be a struggle to convince your client to put in the effort and also conform to any regulation\, like Section 508\, the EU Accessibility Act\, or otherwise. \nDrawing from her own experience with “difficult” clients and some basic psychology\, Annelies will provide you with compelling arguments and advice on how to make a business case (even if you really don’t want to go there). \n\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom.\n\n\nAbout the Speakers\n\n\nAnnelies is a passionate digital accessibility expert at Accessibility Desk (Digitaal Toegankelijk – B Corp) in the Netherlands. She takes every opportunity to advocate for people with disabilities and others who can’t navigate the digital world properly. With her tech-background and work in marketing and communications for many years\, she had already developed a thorough understanding of what should be done better and by whom. Her actual journey with accessibility started roughly 8 years ago\, and since then\, the topic has become a growing subject in work and life. \nAnnelies developed courses and workshops to educate different target audiences and make them understand how they can help. She loves sharing this knowledge within the WordPress community by speaking at local meetups regularly. As New Business Manager\, she’s also co-leader of the European Accessibility Alliance. The European Accessibility Alliance is a network of leading digital accessibility experts and organizations across Europe dedicated to promoting and implementing digital accessibility standards. She’s also studying part-time for a Psychology major. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: Kinsta\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/convince-your-clients-of-accessibility-arguments-and-business-cases-annelies-verhelst/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/100225-Annelies-Verhelst.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250924T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250924T193000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250917T195437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250917T195437Z
UID:10001015-1758736800-1758742200@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Cookie Banner Accessibility Testing: Alex Stine
DESCRIPTION:Join us for live accessibility testing of cookie banner plugins with Alex Stine. Alex will be testing popular cookie consent solutions for accessibility with his screen reader and providing real-time feedback. If you need an accessible cookie banner\, tune in to see which WordPress plugins provide the best starting point. \nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nAlex got his start in Web Development thanks to WordPress\, beginning in Tech Support\, then moving into Accessibility Development\, and ultimately managing the underlying infrastructure that WordPress self-hosted sites run on. Not long after starting in Tech Support\, Alex lost what vision he had and is now completely blind. This was the single event that motivated him to enter the accessibility world—helping others have the same access to information. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/cookie-banner-accessibility-testing-alex-stine/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/092425-Alex-Stine.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250904T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250904T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250819T162205Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250819T162205Z
UID:10001012-1756980000-1756985400@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:We Need to Talk About Captions: Piccia Neri
DESCRIPTION:Don’t you love all the great AI tools available at the moment? Specifically – aren’t all the captions design tools fantastic? All those options! Animations\, flashing effects\, typography\, graphic treatments… Aren’t they so creative and great? \nNope. No they are not. Your fancy open captions are literally making billions of people sick. Think I’m exaggerating? Nope. I’m not. Join this presentation to find out how – and what to do instead. \n\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom.\n\n\nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nPiccia Neri empowers agencies\, businesses\, designers & developers to thrive and win on the web by putting their users at the centre. She does this as an accessible design and UX consultant and leader on global projects\, and as a course provider\, trainer\, coach and workshop leader. She speaks at conferences globally on UX and accessible design. Piccia’s current main focus is on balancing creativity and accessibility\, without sacrificing either. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: Kinsta\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/we-need-to-talk-about-captions-piccia-neri-2/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/090425-Piccia-Neri.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250818T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250818T203000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250609T155109Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250817T230645Z
UID:10000683-1755543600-1755549000@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Page Builder Accessibility Report: 2025 Update: Amber Hinds
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special WordPress Accessibility Meetup as Amber Hinds\, CEO of Equalize Digital\, shares the latest findings from her annual Page Builder Accessibility Report. This session will reveal how popular WordPress page builders stack up when it comes to accessibility — which ones have improved\, which continue to lag behind\, and what that means for developers\, agencies\, and website owners who care about inclusive design. \nAmber will walk through key changes since last year’s report\, highlight new testing criteria\, and offer practical recommendations for building more accessible websites with or without page builders. Bring your questions for live Q&A at the end! \nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\n\nAmber Hinds is the CEO of Equalize Digital\, Inc.\, a company specializing in WordPress accessibility and maker of the Accessibility Checker plugin. She is the lead organizer of the WordPress Accessibility Meetup\, board president/co-lead organizer of the WP Accessibility Day nonprofit\, and participates in the WordPress core accessibility team. \n\nThrough her work at Equalize Digital\, Amber is striving to create a world where all people have equal access to information and tools on the internet\, regardless of ability. Since 2010\, she has led teams building websites and web applications for nonprofits\, K-12 and higher education institutions\, government agencies\, and businesses of all sizes\, and has become a passionate accessibility advocate.\n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/page-builder-accessibility-report-2025-update-amber-hinds/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/081825-Amber-Hinds.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250807T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250807T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250610T153957Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250610T153957Z
UID:10000684-1754560800-1754566200@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Hiring for Inclusion: Building an Accessibility-Centric Workforce: Catherine Sherry and Kate
DESCRIPTION:Join Catherine Sherry and Kate O’Connor from Onward Accessibility for an engaging session focused on building a more inclusive and accessibility-forward hiring process. Drawing from their extensive experience in accessibility-focused consulting and staffing\, Catherine and Kate will guide participants through effective strategies for recruiting\, interviewing\, and onboarding individuals with disabilities. Attendees will gain practical tools\, actionable policies\, and insights into the cultural shifts necessary to create equitable opportunities and foster a truly accessible workforce from the ground up. \n\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom.\n\n\nAbout the Speakers\n\n\nCatherine Sherry\, CPACC\nDirector of Staffing\, Onward Accessibility\nCatherine Sherry leads Onward Accessibility’s staffing efforts\, empowering top companies to connect with diverse digital accessibility professionals. She has over 15 years of experience in the industry\, a passion for accessibility advocacy\, and a proven track record of recruiting qualified candidates with disabilities. Sherry is also a long-time member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). \nKate O’Connor\, CPACC\nVP and Practice Leader\, Onward Accessibility\nKate O’Connor oversees Onward Accessibility\, a division of Onward Search dedicated to providing companies with digital accessibility (a11y) solutions and talent. She has nearly 20 years of hands-on design experience and a successful track record of partnering with clients to build and mature a11y programs as well as digital initiatives. O’Connor is also a long-time member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP). \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: Kinsta\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/hiring-for-inclusion-building-an-accessibility-centric-workforce-catherine-sherry-and-kate/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/08072025-Catherine-Sherry-and-Kate-OConnor.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250710T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250710T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250521T142042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250521T142042Z
UID:10000681-1752141600-1752147000@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Elementor Accessibility: Angela Bowman & David Denedo
DESCRIPTION:In this talk\, Angela and David will dive into practical strategies for working with options in Elementor that allow you to make your site more WCAG compliant\, including:\n\nAssigning proper ARIA landmarks to header\, content\, and footer areas\nNaming menus and other widgets in Elementor for correct ARIA\nUsing Site Settings to define accessible Global Colors and scalable typography\nAdding aria labels to icons\, buttons\, and images that are linked\n\nAngela and David will provide a few custom code snippets to improve accessibility of the following:\n\nRespect reduce motion effects with CSS\nAdd aria-current=“page” to Mega Menu submenu items\nAdd pause button to self-hosted background videos\n\nAnd lastly\, this talk will explore accessibility challenges with Elementor template kits\, complex Elementor widgets\, and things to watch out for.\n\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom.\n\n\nAbout the Speakers\n\n\nAngela Bowman\nWeb Designer\, Meetup Organizer\, and Podcast Co-Host\nAngela works primarily with Elementor\, building highly customized sites with dynamic content. She loves traveling\, outdoor adventures\, and raising backyard chickens. \nDavid Denedo\nWeb Designer and Content Creator\nDavid works primarily with Bricks and Elementor. He is passionate about accessibility\, dynamic content\, and solving mathematical problems. He also loves playing Scrabble and Chess. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: Kinsta\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/elementor-accessibility-angela-bowman-david-denedo/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07102025-Angela-Bowman-and-David-Denedo.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250616T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250616T203000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250424T165804Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250424T165804Z
UID:10000676-1750100400-1750105800@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:From Conference to Industry Association: Bri Norton\, Ricky Onsman\, and Amanda Mace
DESCRIPTION:How does an annual accessibility conference grow into a national industry association with real policy influence? Join us for an inspiring and practical conversation about what it takes to scale an accessibility-focused initiative into an organization with national reach and impact.\n\nIn this session\, we will explore the journey of evolving from a one-time event into a structured\, sustainable\, and strategic industry body. We’ll share lessons learned and insights gained along the way\, including:\n\nIdentifying your target audience and building meaningful connections\nManaging and growing membership while maintaining community focus\nRaising your national profile and becoming a recognized voice in accessibility\nChoosing a focus and setting boundaries to stay aligned with your mission\nTransitioning from an annual in-person event to ongoing virtual programming\nBalancing funding\, sustainability\, and organizational costs\nBuilding advocacy capacity and influencing digital accessibility policy\n\nWhether you’re part of a grassroots initiative\, a community event organizer\, or someone passionate about accessibility advocacy\, this session offers actionable strategies for scaling impact and making a difference. \nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speakers\n\n\n\nBrigitta (Bri) Norton\nDigital Accessibility Consultant at Ability Works\nBri is a Digital Strategist and User Experience and Accessibility specialist based in Canberra\, Australia and has been an Accessibility Lead for both State and Federal Government and is currently a Digital Accessibility Consultant at Ability Works. Bri has more recently co-developed inclusive research workshops to share how to include accessibility earlier in the project lifecycle which includes engaging with people with disability as part of inclusive research activities. \nAmongst her professional experience with government agencies and local businesses\, Bri is the co-chair for Australia’s Web Accessibility Initiative OZeWAI.org\, a Standards Australia Accessible ICT Procurement Committee Member and a member of the ResearchOps.Community Cheese Board. \nRicky Onsman\nPrincipal Technical Writer for the Knowledge Center at TPGi\nRicky Onsman is Principal Technical Writer for the Knowledge Center at TPGi\, a global digital accessibility company. He writes guidance articles for TPGi staff and clients conducting manual accessibility audits\, as well helping to craft the rules engine for TPGi’s automated testing tools\, developing training courses\, and writing blog posts. \nRicky built his first website in 1994\, when it was still assumed that accessibility was a given\, and since then has worked in IT for a range of companies and organizations\, then as a freelance web designer and front end developer\, then as an accessibility specialist with organisations like AccessIQ\, Simply Accessible\, AccessibilityOz\, Intopia\, Tenon\, and now TPGi. \nRicky has been a member of the Australian Web Accessibility Initiative (OZeWAI) since 2014 and\, as a Committee Member\, has played a key role in developing the organization’s web presence and newsletters\, and its transition from conference organizer to national industry association. \nAmanda Mace\nVice President at GrackleDocs\nAmanda is a Subject Matter Expert in Digital Accessibility with more than 10 years of experience in the industry. She manages the Australasia office for GrackleDocs while growing and promoting the brand across the region. She also manages the audit team which is responsible for manual WCAG audits for our clients. Amanda is one of only two Australian-based W3C evangelists and the W3C Australian Western Region Chapter manager. \nWhen it comes to accessibility\, she believes that innovation with accessibility built into it provides security\, independence\, and privacy for people with disabilities and ultimately better\, more usable digital products for all. She has spent her career advocating that it is everyone’s job to do their bit to remove barriers so all people can have equal access and equal opportunity in the digital world. Using her expertise in WCAG and PDF/UA to educate and help others understand digital access as well as how to go above and beyond standards\, to ensuring great user experiences. \nShe is certified by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) as a Certified Professional. Having begun her accessibility career as a WCAG auditor/tester\, she worked her way up in that small business through to management. Throughout her career\, She has had many opportunities to contribute to educating others about digital accessibility including\, co-authoring a book chapter for the textbook\, “Web Accessibility A Foundation for Research\,” as well as a white paper entitled\, “Digital Accessibility: Perceptions\, Expectations and Reality.” \n\n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/from-conference-to-industry-association-bri-norton-ricky-onsman-and-amanda-mace/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/061625-From-Conference-to-Industry-Association.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250605T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250605T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250423T171351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T171351Z
UID:10000675-1749117600-1749123000@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:ARIA for Beginners: Maria Maldonado
DESCRIPTION:Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) is a set of attributes that improve web accessibility for people using assistive technologies. It enhances HTML by adding details to interactive elements\, making web applications easier to navigate and use.\n\nJoin us for this beginner-friendly session\, where we’ll explore what ARIA is\, when to use it (and when not to)\, and best practices for ensuring an inclusive digital experience. Whether you’re a developer\, designer\, or accessibility advocate\, this event will equip you with essential ARIA knowledge to enhance web accessibility.\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom.\n\n\nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nMaria José Maldonado is a seasoned Web Accessibility professional with a strong foundation in education. Since transitioning to the field in 2018\, she has been dedicated to advancing accessibility testing and fostering digital inclusivity. Holding CPACC\, WAS\, and CPWA certifications\, she possesses a comprehensive understanding of WCAG standards and legal requirements. \nHer expertise spans assistive technologies\, automated testing tools\, and responsive design\, ensuring seamless user experiences across diverse platforms. Passionate about creating accessible digital environments\, she collaborates with teams to drive meaningful\, user-centered accessibility solutions. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: Kinsta\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/aria-for-beginners-maria-maldonado/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/060525-Maria-Maldonado.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250519T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250519T203000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250418T155926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250418T155926Z
UID:10000673-1747681200-1747686600@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Selling Accessibility Panel Discussion: Amber Hinds\, Bet Hannon\, Gen Herres\, Ron Zasadzinski\, and Scott Tobin
DESCRIPTION:Ensuring accessibility in WordPress projects isn’t just a legal or ethical responsibility—it’s a powerful value-add for clients. But how do you effectively communicate its importance and integrate it into your sales process? \n\nJoin us for a panel discussion where agency owners and freelancers will share insights on positioning accessibility as a competitive advantage\, overcoming client objections\, and pricing accessibility services effectively. Whether you’re struggling to get client buy-in or looking to refine your sales approach\, this conversation will provide actionable takeaways to help you confidently sell accessibility in WordPress projects.\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speakers\n\n\nAmber Hinds\nCEO of Equalize Digital\nAmber Hinds is the CEO of Equalize Digital\, Inc.\, a company specializing in WordPress accessibility and maker of the Accessibility Checker plugin. She is the lead organizer of the WordPress Accessibility Meetup\, board president/co-lead organizer of the WP Accessibility Day nonprofit\, and participates in the WordPress core accessibility team. Through her work at Equalize Digital\, Amber is striving to create a world where all people have equal access to information and tools on the internet\, regardless of ability. Since 2010\, she has led teams building websites and web applications for nonprofits\, K-12 and higher education institutions\, government agencies\, and businesses of all sizes\, and has become a passionate accessibility advocate. \nBet Hannon\nCEO and Founder of AccessiCart\nBet Hannon had a first career in nonprofit management but was downsized in the 2008 financial crisis. She stumbled into freelance web development\, bootstrapped an agency\, and in 2016 when a client needed web accessibility\, got her team up to speed with that. Today\, she’s the CEO and founder of AccessiCart\, a services agency that focuses on accessibility and eCommerce (or anything with a checkout form). She lives in Bend\, Oregon\, and loves hiking and snowshoeing. \nGen Herres\nFounder of Easy A11y Guide\nGen Herres is the Founder of Easy A11y Guide\, which helps website owners & agencies to improve their accessibility. With 15 years of WordPress development experience\, and 5 years of accessibility\, Gen brings practical knowledge from working on over 1\,000 websites to the accessibility space. She’s a DHS Trusted Tester for Section 508\, a well-known speaker\, and an accessibility advocate. She’s spoken at meetups\, on podcasts\, at WordCamp US\, and WP Accessibility Day\, and is an IAAP member. She’s helped plugins\, themes\, and web agencies refine their accessibility processes and websites that real people can use. She also organizes the Baltimore WordPress meetup group. \nRon Zasadzinski\nFounder and CEO of CodeGeek\nRon started CodeGeek in 2002\, and since then\, he and his team have worked with clients all over the U.S. to create custom websites and web apps.\nWhether in business or in life\, Ron’s goal every day is to help people be the best they can be. He’s passionate about making the web more accessible and inclusive for everyone. Ron is involved in several ventures\, including co-founding the Fort Collins Internet Professionals (FCIP) Meetup and being a flight instructor with over 30 years and 8\,000 hours of flying experience. In his free time\, Ron enjoys following NASA missions with great interest\, hiking\, skiing\, and traveling with his wife to see the many wonders this world has to offer.\n\nScott Tobin\nFounder and President of Sector45\nScott Tobin is the Founder and President of Sector45\, a specialized medical marketing agency serving the aesthetic industry. With over 18 years of experience in medical marketing and more than 25 years in digital marketing\, he brings deep expertise in internet services\, strategic planning\, SEO\, search marketing\, and practice growth. Scott is dedicated to helping medical professionals enhance their online presence and achieve long-term success in an increasingly competitive landscape.\n\n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/selling-accessibility-panel-discussion-amber-hinds-bet-hannon-gen-herres-ron-zasadzinski-and-scott-tobin/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/051925-Selling-Accessibility-Panel-3.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250515
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250516
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250502T034406Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250502T034406Z
UID:10000677-1747267200-1747353599@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025
DESCRIPTION:Join us in celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) by pledging your time to improve accessibility in WordPress. Whether you’re a developer\, designer\, content creator\, or site owner\, your skills can help make the internet more usable for millions of people with disabilities. Even one small fix—like adding alt text\, fixing heading levels\, or improving keyboard navigation—can make a big difference.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/global-accessibility-awareness-day-2025/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GAAD-Pledge-Featured-Image.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250501T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250501T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250307T150911Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250307T151119Z
UID:10000664-1746093600-1746099000@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Remediation or Rebuild? — Amber Hinds and Steve Jones
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a presentation exploring the critical decision-making process behind determining whether a website can be remediated for accessibility compliance or if it needs to be completely rebuilt from scratch. \n\nAttendees will gain a clear understanding of the key factors that influence this choice\, including the severity of accessibility barriers\, the underlying technology and codebase\, long-term maintenance considerations\, and budget constraints. Using real-world examples and best practices\, Amber and Steve will walk through assessment strategies\, cost-benefit analyses\, and the potential risks and rewards of each approach.\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom.\n\n\nAbout the Speakers\n\n\nAmber Hinds\nCEO\, Equalize Digital\nAmber Hinds is the CEO of Equalize Digital\, Inc.\, a company specializing in WordPress accessibility and maker of the Accessibility Checker plugin. She is the lead organizer of the WordPress Accessibility Meetup\, board president/co-lead organizer of the WP Accessibility Day nonprofit\, and participates in the WordPress core accessibility team. \nThrough her work at Equalize Digital\, Amber is striving to create a world where all people have equal access to information and tools on the internet\, regardless of ability. Since 2010\, she has led teams building websites and web applications for nonprofits\, K-12 and higher education institutions\, government agencies\, and businesses of all sizes\, and has become a passionate accessibility advocate\nSteve Jones\nCTO\, Equalize Digital\nSteve Jones is the Chief Technology Officer at Equalize Digital. Steve has developed highly custom WordPress websites for clients in the enterprise business\, higher ed\, and government sectors while also being an integral part of developing Equalize Digital’s accessibility auditing software\, Accessibility Checker. He oversees the delivery of Equalize Digital’s accessibility remediation services for WordPress websites. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: Kinsta\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/remediation-or-rebuild-amber-hinds-and-steve-jones/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/05012025-Amber-Hinds-and-Steve-Jones.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250421T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250421T203000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250226T134640Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T134712Z
UID:10000663-1745262000-1745267400@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:UX\, UI\, and Accessibility: The Perfect Trio: Shannon Towell
DESCRIPTION:Good design isn’t just about making things look nice. It’s about making your products easy to use and accessible for everyone. In this presentation\, Shannon Towell\, a seasoned Experience Designer\, will break down the key things to watch for when building a website to ensure it’s user-friendly and inclusive. We’ll take a website\, audit it\, and improve it step by step\, updating its branding and layout to make it clearer and easier to use. Then\, we’ll explore how data can guide better design decisions and how UX applies beyond websites—helping museums and cultural institutions create more accessible\, engaging experiences. Whether you’re a designer\, developer\, or just curious about better digital experiences\, this session will give you practical takeaways to use in your own work. \nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nShannon Towell is the Experience Designer of your dreams\, forever donned in blue.\n\nBased in Melbourne\, Australia\, she has worked with an array of Australia’s top companies to create websites\, apps\, and research projects over the last nine years.\n\nFor the last two years\, her sole focus has been to make the internet a better place through accessible and user-friendly brands and websites through her self-named design business. Her latest endeavor\, Accessibility Clinic\, sees her targeting the museum and cultural institutions to create inclusive spaces in person and online.\n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/ux-ui-and-accessibility-the-perfect-trio-shannon-towell/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/042125-Shannon-Towell.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250403T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250403T103000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250207T161409Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250207T161409Z
UID:10000660-1743674400-1743676200@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Accessible Firebrand: “Why can’t I use my brand color there\, and if not there\, then where?”: Deneb Pulsipher & Mark Alvis
DESCRIPTION:Every company is strongly invested in their brand colors\, even when these don’t meet contrast ratio requirements against their site’s background color. From an accessibility specialist’s perspective\, it’s essential to know where these colors cannot be used\, but from a designer’s practical and aesthetic perspective\, it’s important to know where and how they can safely be used to build brand identity.\n\nIn this session\, you’ll learn how and why companies are often inclined to use their brand colors in inaccessible ways. Together\, we’ll examine real-world uses of brand colors in places that are clear and not-so-clear violations of the WCAG and other accessibility principles. We’ll discuss ways to demonstrate the problem to the company decision-makers\, including tools that can help illustrate the problem. We’ll suggest arguments to use to persuade decision-makers to change their tactics. Perhaps most importantly\, we’ll go over how companies can engagingly use their brand colors on their site in ways that don’t violate accessibility principles. This will make it so that decision-makers don’t balk as much at abandoning their inaccessible uses.\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speakers\n\n\nMark Alvis\nBrand + UI Designer\, SeaMonster Studios\nMark is a systems-oriented\, details guy disguised neatly as a brand & identity designer. Details matter to Mark. Pixels\, pantones\, and patterns… Mark brings a love of craft to his work – and 15 years of experience designing solutions from corporate and boutique clients. \nWhether it’s product packaging\, brand identity or user interface design for Microsoft\, Starbucks or even the local shop down the street\, it’s about putting the pieces together in a way that is appealing but also effective. \nWhen not drinking coffee (or designing the labels)\, you might find him moonlighting in Seattle’s music venues\, or tucking his 3 daughters into bed. \nDeneb Pulsipher\nCaptain Accessible\, SeaMonster Studios\n“Captain Accessible” Deneb (DEH-neb) gets excited about the inherent ability the web provides to let everyone access the same information\, whether they’re able to see or not\, hear or not\, use a mouse or not\, have no cognitive challenges\, or do. The internet can be accessed by nearly everyone through regular technologies like web browsers or assistive technologies like screen readers\, as long as we code it right. Deneb’s passion is making sure it’s coded right\, which means thoroughly reviewing all of our own sites before we release them into the wild\, and also sporadically emailing owners of the sites he happens on while surfing that could use some accessibility improvements. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: Kinsta\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/accessible-firebrand-why-cant-i-use-my-brand-color-there-and-if-not-there-then-where-deneb-pulsipher-mark-alvis/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/04032025-Deneb-Pulsipher-Mark-Alvis.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250317T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250317T203000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250207T142039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T134633Z
UID:10000659-1742238000-1742243400@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:From Concept to Code: Communicating Accessibility in the Design Handoff: Danielle Zarcaro
DESCRIPTION:A well-executed designer-to-developer handoff is key to ensuring a website is not only accessible but also stays true to the design that has been carefully and thoughtfully crafted. So\, how can a designer make sure the finished website is accessible and aligns with their design? How can designers help developers make the right accessibility choices?\n\nIn this session\, we’ll explore crucial details designers should provide to guide the implementation of their designs effectively. You’ll learn how to:\n\n\nCommunicate sizing and spacing preferences using minimums\, maximums\, and flexible units beyond fixed widths and percentages where appropriate.\nDefine focal points\, overlays\, and gradient placement for background images.\nProvide clear instructions for interactive elements\, hover states\, and keyboard navigation expectations.\nIdentify potential problem areas and suggest fallback options in case designs shift between breakpoints.\n\nBy improving the design handoff process and increasing transparency around key decisions\, designers can empower developers to create accessible\, functional\, and visually consistent experiences. \n\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nDanielle is the founder of Kinetic Iris\, a web development studio that partners with digital agencies to deliver expert website accessibility and development services for both new and existing websites. A lifelong night owl\, they have recently taken up crochet\, which has proven to be an excellent way to unwind and disconnect from so much screen time. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/from-concept-to-code-communicating-accessibility-in-the-design-handoff-danielle-zarcaro/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/031725-Danielle-Zarcaro.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250306T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250306T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20250203T154754Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250207T142201Z
UID:10000403-1741255200-1741260600@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:We Need to Talk About Captions: Piccia Neri
DESCRIPTION:Don’t you love all the great AI tools available at the moment? Specifically – aren’t all the captions design tools fantastic? All those options! Animations\, flashing effects\, typography\, graphic treatments… Aren’t they so creative and great? \nNope. No they are not. Your fancy open captions are literally making billions of people sick. Think I’m exaggerating? Nope. I’m not. Join this presentation to find out how – and what to do instead. \n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nPiccia Neri empowers agencies\, businesses\, designers & developers to thrive and win on the web by putting their users at the centre. She does this as an accessible design and UX consultant and leader on global projects\, and as a course provider\, trainer\, coach and workshop leader. She speaks at conferences globally on UX and accessible design. Piccia’s current main focus is on balancing creativity and accessibility\, without sacrificing either. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: Kinsta\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/we-need-to-talk-about-captions-piccia-neri/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/030625-Piccia-Neri-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250217T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250217T203000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20241224T181607Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250207T153710Z
UID:10000398-1739818800-1739824200@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:The Law of Accessible Websites and Applications: Richard Hunt
DESCRIPTION:This four-part presentation will cover (a) the federal and state laws that require (or maybe do not require) that business websites be accessible to those with disabilities\, (b) what it means for a website to be accessible to those with disabilities\, (c) how effective software solutions are in finding and correcting accessibility failures and (d) the current status and likely future of litigation over website accessibility and the risks to website developers. \n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nRichard M. Hunt is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer with more than forty years of\nexperience representing businesses and individuals in litigation\, arbitration\, and mediation. He has a nationwide practice focused on litigation and consultation concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act and the disability rights provisions of the Fair Housing Act. He has served as an adjunct professor of Trial Advocacy at Texas Wesleyan School of Law\, an adjunct professor of Disability Law at the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University\, and on the Examination Committee for Civil Trial Certification for the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. \nHis blog\, Accessibility Defense (accessdefense.com)\, is a resource for legal and accessibility professionals interested in the latest developments in accessibility law or a deeper understanding of the issues related to these laws. He is also a frequent speaker on the ADA and FHA and has been interviewed by The Economist\, Forbes\, and other publications. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/the-law-of-accessible-websites-and-applications-richard-hunt/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/02172025-Richard-Hunt.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250206T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250206T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20241216T145121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241216T145121Z
UID:10000386-1738836000-1738841400@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Digital Accessibility: Thinking Beyond WCAG and Compliance: Chris Scholtens
DESCRIPTION:Move beyond mere WCAG compliance to create genuinely accessible digital experiences. While WCAG provides an essential baseline\, focusing solely on checklists can limit meaningful user impact. By understanding the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities—such as ADHD\, dyslexia\, or color blindness—organizations can innovate accessibility solutions that are perceivable\, operable\, understandable\, and robust. How do we strive for genuine accessibility efforts instead of performative actions\, prioritizing user benefit over optics? Beyond benefitting users\, investing in accessibility fosters innovation\, expands market reach\, and enhances brand loyalty.\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nChris is a Product Manager who is deeply passionate about delivering valuable products to customers\, a lover of gadgets\, tea\, Apple products\, board games\, old jazz and blues albums\, comic books\, accessible products\, and delightful UX. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: Kinsta\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/digital-accessibility-thinking-beyond-wcag-and-compliance-chris-scholtens/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/02062025-Chris-Scholtens.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250120T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250120T203000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20241216T142323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241216T142456Z
UID:10000385-1737399600-1737405000@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:How D&D Can Improve Accessibility: Using Roleplay During All Phases of Product Development to Better Consider User Experience: Nick Croft
DESCRIPTION:From creating persona-like character sheets to role-playing these characters during a project’s planning\, design\, development\, and testing phases\, you will learn how to improve the user experience-based development and overall accessibility of your products. \nDuring this talk\, Nick will discuss some “non-developer characters” (NDCs)\, how they interact with websites and apps\, and how taking the time to “role play” those characters can help improve accessibility. \nAt the end of the talk\, you will have access to new tools and ways of thinking about features\, content\, and design\, as well as approaches to testing. \nLearning outcomes: \n\nLearn the importance of considering the user experience in accessibility.\nA set of character sheets to consider for making accessible features.\nHow to use role-play through the product development lifecycle to ensure an accessible feature.\n\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nNick is passionate about Accessibility and has been most of his career. From working in the physical space of college campuses doing construction and maintenance during his 20s to becoming a principal developer for a WordPress VIP partner agency that has found a niche in higher ed and massive networks\, Nick has always put accessibility first. \nNick took the time to improve his knowledge by earning International Associate of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) certifications\, including Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS)\, Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC)\, and Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA). Nick has also completed his 508 Trusted Tester training. \nAfter earning these certifications\, tragedy struck\, and now Nick is father to a disabled daughter\, which has opened his eyes even further into the obstacles affecting people with disabilities. This has further increased his passion to make the world accessible. \nWhen not working\, Nick enjoys life in rural northern Virginia with his wife\, four children\, and two dogs. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/how-d-d-can-improve-accessibility-nick-croft/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/01202025-Nick-Croft.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250109T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250109T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20241114T214315Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250107T144521Z
UID:10000384-1736416800-1736422200@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Navigating the Future: Using WordPress Menu Blocks That Work for Everyone: Jennifer Dust and Eli Frigoli
DESCRIPTION:Since the navigation menu is typically the first and most-used point of user interaction within a website\, the menu must be accessible to all users – including those navigating the site through assistive technologies. This becomes even more important as a site grows and the menu complexity increases into multi-level megamenus. However\, not all megamenu blocks are built with accessibility in mind.\n\nIn this session\, we will discuss the importance of accessible navigation\, identify some common pitfalls of megamenu navigation solutions\, explore the structural patterns of a truly accessible navigation menu\, and learn how to determine which third-party solutions are developed with accessibility at the forefront by walking through the code structure of our custom megamenu block.\nLearning Outcomes:\n\nUnderstanding why accessible site navigation is important\nRecognizing common accessibility pitfalls of megamenu structure\nIdentifying key structural elements of a truly accessible navigation menu\nImplementing third-party solutions for megamenu blocks\n\n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speakers\n\n\n\nJennifer Dust\nSenior Manager of DevOps\, Aten Design Group\nWith a background in design and development\, Jennifer is an Acquia Certified Senior Manager of DevOps with several years of experience using Drupal & WordPress. She holds two master’s degrees\, one in Computer Science and the other in Business Administration with a focus on Project Management. Jennifer is an active maintainer of Prototype\, a component-based starting point for new Drupal themes and supports Drupal Core’s Single Directory Component documentation. \nIn previous roles\, they worked at the collegiate level as a developer and as an educator teaching Computer Science. As an avid learner\, Jennifer lives for those “ah-ha!” moments\, when the code clicks into place and you excitedly fist bump the air. \nEli Frigoli\nSenior WordPress Developer\, Aten Design Group\nWith a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science\, Eli is an experienced WordPress developer excited about building dynamic\, interactive websites. Eli has a background in software and front-end web development\, and is passionate about creating user experiences that are accessible and working on projects that make the world a better place one line of code at a time. An avid puzzle solver\, Eli embraces the challenge of tackling complex project requirements and turning them into beautiful solutions. \n\n\n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: Kinsta\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/navigating-the-future-using-wordpress-menu-blocks-that-work-for-everyone-michaela-lederman-and-eli-frigoli-2/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/0192025-Jennifer-Dust-Eli-Frigoli.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241216T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241216T203000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20241022T155623Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241022T155623Z
UID:10000382-1734375600-1734381000@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Accessibility Strategy and Goal-Setting Workshop: Amber Hinds
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an interactive workshop to plan your accessibility goals and strategy for 2025. Amber will walk attendees through the process of creating an accessibility remediation roadmap\, with recommendations for prioritizing fixes and creating a timeline. There will be time to create and refine your accessibility roadmap and an opportunity to share it and get feedback during the workshop. \n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\nAmber is the Founder & CEO at Equalize Digital\, a website accessibility consulting/accessible website development firm. She is working to build a more equitable web for people of all abilities. Amber is also the organizer of the WordPress Accessibility Meetup and WordPress Accessibility Day conference. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/accessibility-strategy-and-goal-setting-workshop-amber-hinds/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/12162024-Amber-Hinds.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241205T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241205T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20241022T150823Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241127T153319Z
UID:10000381-1733392800-1733398200@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:How to Accurately Budget for Accessibility: Chris Hinds
DESCRIPTION:This presentation will cover essential accessibility products and services that should be part of every budget. Gain insight into what typical costs are for accessibility in 2024-2025\, and learn how to identify if you’re being lowballed or overcharged. We’ll also show you how to quickly project accessibility investment over 12 months\, by using a combination of “fixed” accessibility costs with variable costs based on key business activities that have an accessibility component. A lack of financial foresight\, means accessibility oversight. \n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout the Speaker\n\n\n\nChris Hinds is the COO of Equalize Digital\, Inc.\, a company specializing in WordPress accessibility. He oversees the business development\, human resources\, and financial operations of the company\, and acts as an early-stage accessibility consultant for countless organizations who are looking to create more accessible outcomes with WordPress. \n\n\n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: Kinsta\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/how-to-accurately-budget-for-accessibility-chris-hinds/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1252024-Chris-Hinds.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241118T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241118T203000
DTSTAMP:20260404T081442
CREATED:20241010T152253Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T152337Z
UID:10000380-1731956400-1731961800@equalizedigital.com
SUMMARY:Managing Plugin Accessibility for the Long Term: Joe Dolson
DESCRIPTION:One common and frustrating experience for users with disabilities is when software they’ve depended on releases an update and loses its accessibility. It’s easy to imagine this is an isolated experience\, but it’s shockingly common. Accessibility is never something you can just do once; it needs to be improved and maintained\, even through major design refactors. Learn some methods for handling change and maintaining standards over time. \n\nThese meetups take place via Zoom and are live captioned. You must register to attend via Zoom. \nAbout Joe Dolson\n\n\nJoe Dolson is a WordPress plugin developer\, web accessibility consultant\, and owner of Accessible Web Design. He’s part of the Make WordPress Accessible team\, the team dedicated to improving accessibility in the WordPress ecosystem\, and contributes 6 hours per week to the WordPress Accessibility\, Core\, and Themes teams. Joe teaches courses through LinkedIn Learning\, including having a course on WordPress Accessibility. \n\nEvent Information\nSponsors\nThank you to our sponsors: \n\nLive captions: GoDaddy\nOrganizer and post-event transcription: Equalize Digital Accessibility Checker\nYour Business here! Learn about sponsorship\n\n\n\n\nAccessibility & Accommodations\nThis meetup will be held virtually over Zoom and live captioned\, thanks to our sponsors. Slide links will be provided when applicable\, and presenters are encouraged to make slides as accessible as possible with alternative text for images\, etc. \nWe’re working to secure sponsors so that we can offer ASL interpretation. \nAll are welcome to attend. If you need specific accommodations to make this meetup work for you\, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you. \nCode of Conduct\nPlease note that this group is a welcoming space for all. As this event is part of the official WordPress Meetup program\, all attendees must follow the WordPress Online Code of Conduct. \nBy RSVPing to this meetup\, you agree to abide by these guidelines. If you have concerns that the Online Code of Conduct is not being followed\, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an organizer.
URL:https://equalizedigital.com/event/managing-plugin-accessibility-for-the-long-term-joe-dolson/
CATEGORIES:WordPress Accessibility Meetups
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://equalizedigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11182024-Joe-Dolson.png
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