As technology has enabled people with disabilities – more than one billion people world wide – to browse the internet, learn online and buy products and services virtually, it’s increasingly imperative to have websites and other digital platforms that are accessible to all. The federal government requires businesses open to the public and local and state governments to have accessible websites. The Department of Justice published accessibility guidance in March 2024.

Here’s your chance to learn how to create an accessible site – or refresh your skill set – by taking part in a unique summer camp held annually. The 23rd John Slatin AccessU conference is set for May 13 through May 16 at St. Edward’s University’s Ragsdale Center, 3001 South Congress. It is the main training event held annually by the nonprofit, Knowbility and has built a loyal following of savvy web developers and learners. It’s a one-stop training shop for gaining insights into building accessibility into design, hearing from the experts on accessibility topics and learning about the latest tools aimed at leveling the online playing field.

AccessU offers inspiration, how-to classes and fellowship. It will feature about 500 participants—in person and virtually—and 70 accessibility experts as speakers and instructors of nearly 80 classes. It’s not too late to sign up.
“Our conference is still the only one of its kind—that I’m aware of. We focus on trainig and provide all classes both in person and virtually. We’ve helped thousands of people build and design accessible websites that open the online world to disabled people,” says Knowbility Executive Director Sharron Rush. “We are excited to continue that tradition with this year’s conference and offer ongoing support to individuals and companies that need our help.”
Rush is also the cofounder of Austin-based Knowbility, a provider of programs and services aimed at improving digital equity for people living with disabilities. She is coauthor of the seminal book, Maximum Accessibility, and one of five national winners of the 2023 AARP Purpose Prize, which recognizes adults over 50 who use their knowledge and experience to solve challenging social problems.
“The entire lineup of class instructors are among the most accomplished leaders in the field,” Rush says. “I am especially excited that former AccessU Keynote speaker, author and NYU professor Reginé Gilbert, will return with a hands-on workshop on AI and inclusive design.”
Opening keynoter Meryl Evans, who is deaf and an influencer and consultant in the disability space, will kick things off. Also speaking and teaching are entrepreneur Karl Groves, an accessibility thought leader whose latest company, Afixt, specializes in accessible website design; Susanna Laurin, who is chief research and innovation officer at Funka to speak on implications of the European Accessibility Act and its impact on doing business in the EU; and Jessie Weber, a partner at Brown, Goldstein, and Levy, who will give the annual Legal Update highlighting the implications of the recent ruling from the Department of Justice(DOJ).
AccessU is for anyone interested in website accessibility, especially if you use the web for business or work as a digital platform developer, designer, content provider, manager or government contractor.
In addition, Knowbility encourages local businesses to attend the conference’s happy hour on May 15 and to register for final day sessions on May 16, which is Global Accessibility Awareness Day. “We tend to focus on the benefits implementing accessibility,” Rush says. “We believe that digital inclusion is everyone’s responsibility and that the benefits are broad and often happily surprising.”
The conference has built in time to socialize and experience Austin-centric fun, including an evening bus trip to the famous Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood and afternoon campus visits from Good Times’ musical ice cream trucks.
Buy a ticket to attend AccessU as a learner. If your business would like to send staff or participate in Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) buy one-day GAAD tickets
CONTACT: Knowbility Executive Director Sharron Rush 512-527-3138 (office) 512-797-7351 (mobile)

Knowbility, Inc. is an award-winning leader in accessible information technology. Its work includes training others to create accessible websites and promoting digital equity through accessibility. It is based in Austin, Texas.
John Slatin AccessU is named for the late John Slatin of the University of Texas, a blind professor of English who led campus accessibility efforts and established the first Accessibility Center at a university in 2002.