ACCESS-ABILITY Conference: Graphic Design for a More Accessible World January 28, 2010 LOCATION: CNIB Institute 1929 Bayview Avenue Toronto, Ontario Map and Directions ***ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED*** If you would like to register, we are accepting registrations at the door starting at 8:30am on Jan 28. EVENT TIMING: 9 AM to 4:30 PM SUMMARY: In light of proposed Ontario standards for accessibility in information and communications, there is an urgent need for guidelines and tools to achieve accessibility in every graphic design project. From Web Design to Cross-Cultural Design, this conference will help you transform your work so it can be accessed, understood and enjoyed by all audiences. SCHEDULE: 8:30 - 9:00 AM Registration. Complimentary continental breakfast served. 9:00 - 9:15 AM Welcome. General Introduction. 9:15 - 10:00 AM Accessibility at a Glance Debbie Gillespie & Naveesha Maharaj, Accessibility Consultants, CNIB CNIB's Accessibility consultants review the tools and information needed to make businesses more inclusive. Together, Debbie and Naveesha will demonstrate how to improve accessibility when communicating with clients, suppliers and the public. They cover key elements of design such as web accessibility, typography and signage and wayfindings, as well as take you through the services offered by the CNIB that work to make all environments accessible to everyone today. Debbie Gillespie has been in the access technology field for over 20 years. As an avid technology and Internet user, she's conducted numerous new product evaluations for the Assistive Devices Program for the Ontario Government and conducts training sessions. She has served as a Canadian delegate at the general assembly of the International Council on English braille in 1999, 2004 and 2008. She holds certifications in contracted braille, proofreading and tactile comprehension. Naveesha Maharaj provides accessibility review and audits, promotes accessibility awareness and services to organizations within Ontario and provides accessibility information ensuring compliance with the current WCAG, W3C and AODA standards. Since 1999, she has worked in the pharmaceutical, financial and corporate retail industries as a technical team lead, merchandise business associate and e-business specialist. 10:00 - 10:30 AM Review of Clear Print Accessibility Guidelines Naveesha Maharaj, Accessibility Consultant, CNIB Readability shouldn't be an afterthought when producing materials, it should be the first step in making your merchandise, service, location or information accessible to everyone. Learn the Clear Print guidelines and keep them in mind as you design your products and you'll reach a wider audience. 10:30 - 10:45 AM Refreshment Break 10:45 - 11:30 AM Information Design Dissected Jenn & Ken Visocky O'Grady, Co-founders of Enspace, Co-authors of The Information Design Handbook In a complex world, clear and accessible communication, across a broad range of media, has become essential. While designers need not become psychologists, knowledge of the principles framing cognition and communication, in addition to aesthetics, provides illumination for our craft. This presentation explores the connections and convergences between human perception, thinking and learning: how we transmit knowledge, share concepts and process information through language; and how structure and legibility affect the visualization of messaging. We know you design amazing work, this session will help ensure that everyone can use it. Jenn + Ken Visocky O'Grady are partners in business and life. The couple cofounded Enspace, a creative think tank where collaboration enhances communication. The firm's work has been recognized by numerous organizations and featured in magazines and books. Together, they have had privilege to travel North America, jurying competitions and presenting workshops and lectures. They also promote the value of design in the classroom - Jenn as an Associate Professor at Cleveland State University, and Ken as an Assistant Professor at Kent State University. They are the co-authors of The Information Design HandbookA Designer's Research Manual. 11:30 - 12:45 PM Break. Complimentary lunch served. 12:45 PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS BEGIN 12:45 - 1:30 PM It's in the Design: Fundamentals of Web Accessibility Derek Featherstone, Web Accessibility Expert, Further Ahead Learn the fundamental issues that pose barriers to web accessibility and, more importantly, how you can implement simple solutions to these issues in building accessible web sites. You'll leave with techniques to help ensure that all users can access what you're presenting for the world to see, and a better understanding of the impact of the choices we make as designers on people of all abilities. Derek Featherstone is an internationally-known authority on accessibility and web development, a highly-sought speaker and public author. He is founder of Further Ahead, a leading firm that delivers insightful and creative accessibility consulting to Fortune 500 corporations, educational institutions, public utilities, government agencies and other private sector clients. OR Accessibility and the Built Environment Gregory Neely R.G.D., Managing Partner, Forge Media & Design With the growing impact of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Accessibility and Universal Design has become a major factor for designers in the development of environmental graphics, signage, and wayfinding for the built environment. The challenge is that the AODA is still evolving and currently provides no defined guidelines or standards. Gregory Neely R.G.D., Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Forge Media + Design discusses some key considerations and best practices designers can use today that will help ensure their work will successfully meet the goals of this important legislation in the future. A graduate of York's design program with a career spanning over 14 years, Gregory Neely has been responsible for wayfinding and signage programs on major projects in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and across Canada. Five years ago, he co-founded Forge Media + Design, a multidisciplinary design firm focused on Experiential Branding & Design for the built environment, including Digital Media, Environmental Graphics and Wayfinding. Building the firm's reputation through work with some of the country's top architects and interior designers, Forge has now been retained to design and develop a comprehensive wayfinding solution that must achieve the highest possible standards of universal design and accessibility for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. 1:30 PM CONCURRENT SESSIONS END 1:30 - 2:15 PM Authenticity x Design: Communicating Across (sub)Cultures Antonio Garcia, Art Director, AIGA Center for Cross-Cultural Design Because design is not defined by national borders or cultural differences, it's imperative designers think beyond the familiar in order to create compelling, engaging and relevant work responsive to today's diverse audiences. Connecting the dots between ethnography, authenticity and forward thinking design, Antonio Garcia uses real world projects to illustrate the importance of cultural understanding and underscore the incredible potential waiting at the intersection of design and culture. Sharing a best practice framwork of immersive study, nontraditional research and ethnographic exploration, Antonio defines the emerging role of designer as observer/explorer/researcher/ethnographer. As a strategist, writer and designer, Antonio Garcia leads business development, planning and concepting for broadscope branding initiatives and marketing campaigns. Directing brainstorms and creative briefs, he encourages a rebellious pursuit of knowledge and striking a balance between the pragmatism of an outsider and perspective of an active participant. Through his experience designing for corporate giants, he has leaned a valuable lesson: hype can never substitute for authenticity. So in an industry that measures success in dollar signs and popular trends, he is determined to prove sustainability, transparency, ethics and ethnography create meaningful experiences, engaging interactions and powerful business innovation. 2:15 - 2:30 PM Refreshment Break 2:30 - 3:15 PM Collection of Case Studies Hear from industry professionals as they take you through projects that consider accessibility in the design. Presentations Include: Designing Signage for Universal Accessibility - Working with the CNIB on Pearson's Terminal 1 Wayne McCutcheon R.G.D. - Entro Communications Engaging needs of key stakeholders is far too often considered as an afterthought to the wayfinding design process. Building a strong group of active participants on a public project is critical to its success. How should we involve these groups in design, mockups, prototyping and testing? Wayne McCutcheon will provide a presentation of the over 10 years of planning, design, testing and implementation of the highly successful wayfinding program at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Working closely with the CNIB from initial concept designs, through comprehensive testing of prototypes and real-world trials, this program demonstrates the value integrating accessibility testing within the design and implementation processes. Process and Projects at the ROM to meet the new AODA Customer Service Standard David Hollands, Royal Ontario Museum Dave Hollands, Head of Design at the ROM, will outline the wide range of initiatives underway to improve access, with examples of projects where graphic design is a key component. The Ultimate Accessibility Challenge: Designing an Exhibition about Disability, History and Activism Debbie Adams R.G.D., Adams + Associates Design Consultants Inc. Through Their Eyes: Designing the Reflections book for Chartwell's National Appreciation of Senior's Day Brad Walker R.G.D., Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT 3:15 - 4:00 PM New York's MTA: A Case Study in Applying Pictograms to Transportation Mies Hora, Founder,Ultimate Symbol, Hora Associates Take a journey through the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Jamaica Station, a major, recently renovated inter-model facility where a newly developed wayfinding system is being implemented. Mies Hora will show you an approved Case Study for rail, bus and subway signage using his newly minted MTA Pictograph System, 90 symbol signs dedicated to globalize accessibility in an increasingly multi-lingual environment. He will also discuss other categories of non-verbal communication, specifically symbol collections on which he has worked including hospitality, safety, and health care. As a designer and author, Mies Hora has for many years had a keen interest in signs and symbols and since 1994 his New York web-based company, Ultimate Symbol, has published a number of the most frequently used books and CDs for design professionals. His recent "Official Signs & Icons 2" is a veritable encyclopedia of ubiquitous design that has become an industry standard. PRICING: Members: $25 + GST* Non-Members: $40 +GST Includes Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch. * Includes professional members of the following organizations: ACIDO, AIGA, ARIDO, CAPIC, RGD Ontario, GDC, IABC, SDGQ + TSA. REGISTRATION/MORE INFO: ***ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED*** If you would like to register, we are accepting registrations at the door starting at 8:30am on Jan 28. The CNIB Centre provides universal access to all. ASL interpretation will also be available. Please contact us if there are additional accessibility or accommodation requirements that we need to put in place to facilitate your participation in the conference. For more information, contact Christina Mastruzzo, Accessibility Project Coordinator, at christina@rgdontario.com or 1.888.274.3668 x27. Also consider attending Designing and Developing Accessible Websites: Workshop by Derek Featherstone on Friday, January 29 at CNIB.