Bill Curtis-Davidson, FHCA 🏳️‍🌈

Various community-driven efforts are actively working to define accessibility user requirements, practices, and guidance for XR technologies and experiences. This talk outlined how XR technology companies can engage with these efforts and put in place accessibility programs to help make sure their products, content, and experiences are usable by the broadest number of users.

IxDA Miami hosted a special program in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) 2020. This presentation brought together some of Southeast Florida’s technology and disability inclusion leaders with a spotlight on enhancing human abilities using XR technology. This special virtual event featured work being done in Southeast Florida to make inclusive XR experiences that can help improve the workplace inclusion of autistic and neurodiverse people. Speakers included: (1) Claudio… Show more

IxDA Miami hosted a special program in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) 2020. This presentation brought together some of Southeast Florida’s technology and disability inclusion leaders with a spotlight on enhancing human abilities using XR technology. This special virtual event featured work being done in Southeast Florida to make inclusive XR experiences that can help improve the workplace inclusion of autistic and neurodiverse people. Speakers included: (1) Claudio Luis Vera (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Inc.) talked about the social model of disability; (2) Bill Curtis-Davidson (XR Access Initiative) promoted autism acceptance and gave a snapshot of how XR / AR / VR apps are enhancing human abilities for those who are neurodiverse; (3) Santiago Bolivar will discuss how the Dan Marino Foundation is using XR technologies to help autistic and neurodiverse students develop workplace skills; and (4) Chris Stegner will present a case study of his firm, Very Big Things, designed Dan Marino Foundation’s first-ever web-based VR product, a mock interview experience for young autistic adults. Show less

(Talk with Dylan Fox) The XR Access Community launched in July 2019 and has over 140 cross-sector participants committed to addressing the unique accessibility challenges posed by Extended Reality or “XR” (AR, VR and Mixed Reality). The Community is advancing a shared vision for a future where new XR technology is created accessible for people with disabilities. This talk by two XR Access working group leaders will provide an overview of XR, outline research on stakeholder/user needs, indicate… Show more

(Talk with Dylan Fox) The XR Access Community launched in July 2019 and has over 140 cross-sector participants committed to addressing the unique accessibility challenges posed by Extended Reality or “XR” (AR, VR and Mixed Reality). The Community is advancing a shared vision for a future where new XR technology is created accessible for people with disabilities. This talk by two XR Access working group leaders will provide an overview of XR, outline research on stakeholder/user needs, indicate key uses in different industries, and describe how XR could enable new kinds of assistive technologies and access to digital and physical environments. Presenters will also provide examples of promising practices for XR accessibility, highlight work happening in XR accessibility standards development, and showcase some examples of support for XR accessibility in platforms. Finally, participants will learn about the different ways they can participate in the ongoing community-led effort to advance XR Accessibility. Show less

This session reviewed Extended Reality (XR) applications, wearable devices, and services which provide users augmented views (AR) of their real-world environment or virtual reality experiences (VR) perceived across multiple senses, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory, and olfactory. The session considered both the applicability of XR technologies for assistive solutions and the accessibility of mainstream XR applications for persons with disabilities.

Session Chair: Susan… Show more

This session reviewed Extended Reality (XR) applications, wearable devices, and services which provide users augmented views (AR) of their real-world environment or virtual reality experiences (VR) perceived across multiple senses, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory, and olfactory. The session considered both the applicability of XR technologies for assistive solutions and the accessibility of mainstream XR applications for persons with disabilities.

Session Chair: Susan Mazrui, Director, Public Policy, AT&T
Panelists: (1) Shiri Azenkot, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute, Cornell Tech, Cornell University; (2) Bill Curtis-Davidson, Senior Accessibility Manager, Magic Leap; (3) Larry Goldberg, Senior Director, Media Accessibility, Verizon Media; (4) Matthew Dickman, Product Safety and Compliance, Oculus. Show less

When President Obama signed the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) into law in 2010, he said it guaranteed, "...equal access, equal opportunity, and equal respect for every American." Games need to adhere to the law, and this session helped game developers understand how to best do that. While AbleGamers provides expertise on the gaming industry, Level Access is the expert in accessibility, and together they will break down the CVAA in understandable… Show more

When President Obama signed the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) into law in 2010, he said it guaranteed, "...equal access, equal opportunity, and equal respect for every American." Games need to adhere to the law, and this session helped game developers understand how to best do that. While AbleGamers provides expertise on the gaming industry, Level Access is the expert in accessibility, and together they will break down the CVAA in understandable terms.

This session will help you understand what your responsibilities are as a game maker under CVAA and FCC regulations. Understanding how to best develop and market to all audiences, including persons with disabilities, is better business practice for everyone. Show less

Introduction to the new VPAT® 2.0 accessibility conformance reporting format developed by the I/T Industry Association, to support vendor reporting against the U.S. Section 508, WCAG 2.0 and EN 301 549 standards. Included recommendations for vendors on how to put in place an internal process for developing accessibility conformance reports.

Best practices for accessible hardware products that include closed functionality, and how Level Access has helped clients design innovative products that meet 508 Refresh requirements.

New best practices and demonstrations of effective and usable speech output utilizing audio design patterns for typical screen types and layered audio-based help.

If you’re a vendor who sells products or services to the U.S. Federal Government – or to certain U.S. State and Local Governments – you have likely already provided a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template® (VPAT®) to report how your products or services meet the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. With the final rule of the Section 508 Refresh now published, and with the growing adoption of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), a new VPAT® 2.0 was recently… Show more

If you’re a vendor who sells products or services to the U.S. Federal Government – or to certain U.S. State and Local Governments – you have likely already provided a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template® (VPAT®) to report how your products or services meet the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. With the final rule of the Section 508 Refresh now published, and with the growing adoption of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), a new VPAT® 2.0 was recently released by its developer, the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI). Join Ken Salaets, Director of Global Policy for the Information Technology Council (ITI), and Bill Curtis-Davidson, Senior Director of Strategic Consulting and Training Services for Level Access, and as they break down the new VPAT and how to best use it. Show less

An update on the timelines for the Refresh and a look at the key differences between the proposed new and current Section 508 requirements.

This presentation outlines how to navigate the planning and implementation of a web accessibility initiative at a large, public institution where a diverse and decentralized web landscape offers challenges for implementing accessibility evaluation, reporting, and training approaches.

Back in 2017 by popular demand, the closing session of the M-Enabling Summit will present and discuss participants’ top predictions in matters of technologies, policies and transformations of the accessible and assistive technologies eco-system. Not to be missed, a precious real world perspective and roadmap built on the wisdom of one of the most knowledgeable group of experts and practitioners in accessibility.

Understand which laws affect your products and/or services and see what a successful accessibility program looks like. Lessons learned and best practices were shared including a case study from Cox Communications.

New best practices and demonstrations of effective and usable speech output utilizing audio design patterns for typical screen types and layered audio-based help.

Key digital accessibility trends and developments, and the current state and projections for the market, technology, and laws and regulations

A look at how the Digital Accessibility Maturity Model (DAMM) can help agencies design, manage, and improve their digital accessibility operations, with examples from various sectors including government, financial services, retail and transportation. Key topics will include:
(1) Key drivers for developing digital accessibility policies and programs
(2) Overview of DAMM - purpose/value, industry context and relationship to other maturity models
(3) How DAMM is used in… Show more

A look at how the Digital Accessibility Maturity Model (DAMM) can help agencies design, manage, and improve their digital accessibility operations, with examples from various sectors including government, financial services, retail and transportation. Key topics will include:
(1) Key drivers for developing digital accessibility policies and programs
(2) Overview of DAMM - purpose/value, industry context and relationship to other maturity models
(3) How DAMM is used in engagements
(4) DAMM Case Studies

What are the three key takeaways?
(1) Understand what a digital accessibility maturity model is, and how they measure accessibility program success
(2) Understand the five levels and 10 dimensions used to measure program maturity
(3) Understand how to perform a DAMM audits to measure and track program maturity Show less

An overview of accessibility laws/regulations/standards, and discussion of accessibility technology trends to watch for in 2016.

Trends in mobile accessibility in the marketplace, mobile accessibility in the life cycle, AMP for Mobile overview, and ways to make mobile accessibility testing more efficient

Presentation on the Digital Accessibility Maturity Model (DAMM), which can be used to measure and advance the maturity of digital accessibility programs in organizations.

To the millions of travelers with special needs getting from one place to another has been an issue due to inaccessible routes or lack of information about the routes they intend to take. Research in accessible transportation has gained new momentum in recent years as a result of some US Department of Transportation (USDOT) research activities. FHWA Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs are exploring advancements in Intelligent Transportation… Show more

To the millions of travelers with special needs getting from one place to another has been an issue due to inaccessible routes or lack of information about the routes they intend to take. Research in accessible transportation has gained new momentum in recent years as a result of some US Department of Transportation (USDOT) research activities. FHWA Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs are exploring advancements in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and other technologies to improve accessible transportation for people with vision impairment and other disabilities. This session will bring different experts, technologists and perspectives from the USDOT, academia and private sector, and look for ways to collaboratively work to further this research. Show less

Two case studies on experiences and issues integrating a unified accessible design and accessible code framework into the enterprise.

Most sites have no WAI-ARIA or have only landmarks and isolated widgets, leaving accessible interactions to cumbersome web-1.0 paradigms. It’s time for big change.

How accessible is public urban transportation for people with
disabilities? What are the metrics for measuring such accessibility? Using
pervasive mobility data, the authors evaluate the quality of service for
travelers in need of accessible public transportation in London.

Presentation on R&D that IBM is pursuing to help organizations innovate in the area of
accessible and inclusive travel, transportation and tourism. Outlined some strategies and associated technologies that can be used to leverage geo-data in applications related to accessible and inclusive
travel, transportation, tourism. Participants will be able to understand ways they can become more involved in pursuing projects that can help improve the mobility, independence and quality of life… Show more

Presentation on R&D that IBM is pursuing to help organizations innovate in the area of
accessible and inclusive travel, transportation and tourism. Outlined some strategies and associated technologies that can be used to leverage geo-data in applications related to accessible and inclusive
travel, transportation, tourism. Participants will be able to understand ways they can become more involved in pursuing projects that can help improve the mobility, independence and quality of life for
PWDs, the aging, and other people with functional limitations (employees or citizens). Show less

I served as moderator of Session D: "Accessible and Assistive Apps and Solutions in Travel and Tourism", with participants from SSB BART Group (now Level Access), Rick Hansen Foundation, Sendero Group, University of South Florida, AOL Inc., and Ryerson University.

Presenting outcomes from collaborative research effort launched as part of the ADA 20th Anniversary, on the topic of using big data to aid in accessible transportation innovation.

To examine technological innovations in accessible transportation and better understand the requirements of pedestrians and travelers with visual impairment or other disabilities, the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Research, Development convened a 1-day workshop to explore this area in February 2011.

I was honored to be invited as one of a few dozen disability experts, academia professionals, transportation industry experts, and other professionals that were brought together… Show more

To examine technological innovations in accessible transportation and better understand the requirements of pedestrians and travelers with visual impairment or other disabilities, the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Research, Development convened a 1-day workshop to explore this area in February 2011.

I was honored to be invited as one of a few dozen disability experts, academia professionals, transportation industry experts, and other professionals that were brought together to discuss applications of technology, identify knowledge gaps and opportunities, and highlight barriers to implementation. During the workshop, I moderated a group discussion on "ITS, Wireless Technologies, and Mobile Computing".

A summary report was developed to document the workshop results, and widely disseminated to the broader highway/transportation and disability communities. The aim was to encourage further discussion regarding the development of technological applications for pedestrians and travelers with disabilities. These discussions led to the identification of future research needs and opportunities to enhance the transportation accessibility for all Americans. Show less

Providing effective accommodation and support is challenging. IBM presents its experience transforming business processes to ensure every employee can be competitively productive. A detailed demonstration of IBM Accessible Workplace Connection will illustrate how IBM is able to efficiently manage accommodations.

I was the author of this key article outlining the growing market demand and example solutions for accessible self-service check-in solutions in air travel.

I was an Invited Speaker at this Joint ITU-T & United Nations / G3ict Forum on “The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Challenges and Opportunities for ICT Standards”, held in Geneva, Switzerland. I spoke on "Designing for Universal Accessibility".

I was one of a dozen or so participants in a SIGCHI 2004 Conference workshop on "Advancements in User Profiling" (Vienna, Austria)

I was one of a dozen invited participants in a SIGCHI 2002 Conference Workshop on the intersections between HCI and Information Architecture deliverables - we discussed During our initial brainstorm we identified the following aspects of deliverables that we wanted to discussed topics like: process integration, audiences, roles/skills, work products/deliverables, methodologies, and other topics.

Outlining the pragmatic insertion of accessibility activities in the systems development life cycle, targeted to architects, designers, developers and testers.