Biography

Consultant, Writer, Speaker

I have been developing accessible, effective user interfaces for the Web since 1993, as well as interfaces for multimedia and software applications. With a focus on standards and accessibility, I ensure software and web-based applications can be utilized by users with varying levels of ability on a wide array of platforms.

Most recently I was vice president at Algonquin Studios, which I co-founded in 1998 and departed at the end of 2015 to pursue accessibility and user experience consulting full-time. I have been responsible for bridging the gap between the worlds of design and technology for my entire career.

I served as an invited expert in the W3C HTML Working Group, the standards body responsible for developing HTML. I am now a full member and am part of Accessible Platform Architectures Working Group, Accessible Rich Internet Applications Working Group, HTML Accessibility Task Force, and Web Platform Working Group (formerly the HTML Working Group).

I am a founding member of evolt.org, one of the very first communities (by its mailing list and web site dating back to 1998) made up of web professionals from around the globe who share their knowledge and experience in web development.

I have written articles for trade journals, web sites, and participated as an author and editor on several books published by Glasshaus, including Web Graphics for Non-Designers, Cascading Style Sheets and Usability: The Site Speaks for Itself. I have also acted as a technical editor for the same publisher and for developer web sites. My work has been cited in many books and articles on usability, accessibility, and interface design.

I earned my bachelor's degree in Media Study at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Community Involvement

Founder / Organizer
Buffalo Accessibility Meetup Group
Member
W3C Web of Things Working Group
Member
W3C Web of Things Interest Group
Member
W3C Accessible Platform Architectures Working Group
Member
W3C Accessible Rich Internet Applications Working Group
Member
W3C Web Platform Working Group (formerly the HTML Working Group)
Invited Expert, now Member
W3C HTML Accessibility Task Force
Member
W3C Web Education Community Group
Member
W3C Responsive Images Community Group
Member
W3C Web History Community Group
Member
W3C Web Hypertext Application Technology Community Group
Member
W3C Federated Social Web Community Group
Invited Expert
W3C HTML Working Group (now superseded by other working groups)
Technical editor (accessibility)
A List Apart
Advisory committee member
Canisius College: Digital Media Arts program
Advisory committee member
Niagara County Community College: Digital Media program
Guest lecturer
State University of New York at Buffalo
Buffalo State College
Canisius College
Niagara County Community College
Hilbert College
Former Advisory council member
Erie 1 BOCES
Founder (through my company Algonquin Studios)
Buffalo Soccer Club
Co-founder, contributor
evolt.org
Former Committee chair
Erie 1 BOCES Graphic Design Technology Committee
Former Board Member
Social Media Club, Buffalo chapter
Former Committee Member
TEDx Buffalo
Former vice chair of the board
Oracle Charter School
Former board member
Advertising Club of Buffalo, the Buffalo chapter of the American Advertising Federation
Former marketing committee member (web and social media)
Ride For Roswell