GRWebDev Powered by LaFleur Marketing presents Accessibility From the Start

GRWebDev Powered by LaFleur presents
Accessibility From the Start
Little Space Studio Grand Rapids
Monday, August 28th 6pm - 8pm

DESCRIPTION
When building solutions for the web, it’s tempting to apply traditional design models and patterns which align to a “one-size-fits-all” mentality. However, not everyone fits into the box, and keeping the lids closed can have very real consequences.

All too often, accessibility concerns are addressed as a product nears completion (if at all). But what would it look like for these considerations to be a part of the entire project lifespan? Is this prospect too expensive and time-consuming, or could it open the doors to additional revenue and opportunity?

This month at GRWebDev powered by LaFleur Marketing, we’ll hear from a panel of accessibility experts who will tackle this subject from a wide variety of perspectives. Join us in person at Little Space Studio on Monday, August 28th at 6pm!

OUR PANEL
Ellen Mason is a Senior Accessibility Consultant with Level Access. She practices digital accessibility for web, mobile, documents, and multimedia. Ellen holds a bachelor's degree in education and considers herself a teacher at heart. Getting her start as a fullstack developer, her engineering background informs her accessibility practice. You can find her on the weekends volunteering with The DAAC, creating spaces for local art and music to thrive.

Ashley Helminiak is a CPWA certified Accessibility Lead for Rapid Development Group with a focus on accessible UX and front-end development. She has a diverse background in graphic design, digital accessibility and strategic planning as well as experience working with frameworks such as Drupal, React, and Laravel. Through her work, Ashley consistently strives to build the most effective people-oriented solutions by approaching problems from all possible angles and perspectives.

Jon Olson is a developer and accessibility specialist at LaFleur Marketing, where he excels in WordPress development and conducts thorough accessibility checks and audits. Committed to promoting inclusivity, Jon also takes pride in educating and training his colleagues on digital accessibility best practices. His mission is to create a more inclusive online experience, ensuring equal access to information and services for all.

Pete Rigney is an advocate focusing on multiple sclerosis (MS), disabilities at large, and a workplace for all. Over the last eight years, Pete has worked in different technical and human resources roles at Corewell Health. In addition to his current roles and responsibilities, he is the board chair for Corewell Health’s disability-focused business resource group with a mission to provide acceptance, support inclusion, and promote safety.

SPONSORS
This month’s meetup is sponsored by West Michigan Tech Talent. West Michigan Tech Talent connects local employers, educators, community organizations and workforce experts who are invested in creating a strong tech workforce. By sharing best practices, leveraging resources and collaborating on innovative solutions, WMTT is actively addressing the tech talent gap and makes upskilling affordable and accessible. Learn more at westmichigantechtalent.com.

This month’s meetup is also sponsored by Payload CMS. Payload is an open-source CMS / app framework that empowers you to build better products, faster - all in TypeScript. Code-first by design, Payload gives you both an entire backend and admin panel for custom apps, massive websites, and smaller hobby projects alike. Payload is in production with over 10,000 projects worldwide, backed by Y Combinator, and it’s being built in our own backyard right here in Grand Rapids. Get started at payloadcms.com.

GRWebDev's venue sponsor is Little Space Studio. Little Space supports creative professionals and entrepreneurs needing dynamic and flexible space to work. Little Space supports its members and the community through coworking, rentals, networking opportunities, events, and much more. Interested in membership? Get the deets at littlespacestudio.com.

GRWebDev's title sponsor is LaFleur Marketing. LaFleur is your forward-thinking digital marketing partner, creating innovative, data-driven marketing strategies and assets for law firms, healthcare organizations, and growing businesses. Learn more about their services on the web at lafleur.marketing.

SCHEDULE

• 6:00pm - 6:15pm … Food & Refreshments
• 6:15pm - 6:30pm ... Announcements & Introduction
• 6:30pm - 7:30pm ... Panel Discussion
• 7:30pm - 7:45pm ... Q&A
• 7:45pm - 8:00pm … Conclusion & Networking