Location: Virtual (Zoom)

Presenter: Jack Garrard, University of Maryland College Park

Description:
VPATs, HECVATs, and other accessibility documentation can be helpful resources in understanding accessibility barriers within third-party software, but may also be difficult to interpret for those unfamiliar with these types of documents. Go beyond VPAT collection and learn how to interpret a VPAT, how the issues listed may affect users with disabilities, and how to request remediation by vendors for the accessibility issues found.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss what makes a 'good' VPAT--not just one with no accessibility barriers listed.
• Determine the severity of issues based on Success Criterion and vendor-provided information.
• Receive templates and guidance on how to ask for accessibility barrier remediation (templates customizable for your own needs).

Presenter:
Jack Garrard is the Web Accessibility Specialist for University of Maryland College Park, with 9 years of experience with digital accessibility in higher education and 4 years at the federal level. He specializes in music braille, PDF remediation, and web testing, with a passion for training others on how to create accessible materials.

Contact Hours (Maryland public libraries) = 1 hour

Zoom captioning will be available. If you require an ASL interpreter or other accommodation for this program, please contact nini.beegan@maryland.gov with as much notice as possible, but no later than three weeks before the program date.

This project is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the Maryland State Library Agency.