Michael Cooper Email & Phone Number

Ottawa, On, Ca

* Provided content, editorial, and technical expertise reflected in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA) 1.0.* Managed the processes of obtaining wide review and obtaining consensus in various types of publications, and provided technical and editorial quality assurance.* Helped contribute accessibility features or guidance to many web technologies through systematic review and comment on specifications, and direct engagement with groups developing them.* Supported mainstream understanding of accessibility needs by helping to conceive and develop a set of widely referenced Accessibility User Needs documents that provide details of accessibility requirements.* Provided strategic leadership identifying the impacts of technology changes and emerging user needs.* Helped conceive and incubate the project that is now W3C Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 3.0, with a new approach recognizing changes in technology in the past decade.* Engaged with representatives of diverse user groups, finding ways to authentically understand perspectives, advocate with less-heard voices, and contribute to mutual understanding in group discussions.* Represented the organization via keynote and other presentations at academic and industry conferences.

* Led the redevelopment of the Bobby product developed at CAST (see below) into Watchfire’s WebXM tool.* Continued to provide industry leadership in the development of web content accessibility testing approaches and helping define testability of accessibility guidelines.* Worked with customers to understand their business needs, support deployment of the product, provide best practices training, and design and implement customizations as needed.

* Managed continued development of Bobby, the first Web accessibility evaluation tool. Collaborated with developers of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 to ensure Bobby’s tests harmonized with the WCAG 1.0 guidance.* Supported the organization to use XML and XSLT technologies in a early digital book format with support to implement UDL principles in content.* Developed ways to apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to early web design capabilities.* Developed content and design for the organization’s early web site, to provide content both about and as an example of UDL principles.

* Coordinated accessibility accommodations for students and employees with disabilities.* Managed data from a campus accessibility survey to help prioritize building improvements.* Provided technical expertise for the library of assistive technologies, and instructed students in their use.* Produced accessible formats of materials for students, with early adoption of the emerging Web for this purpose.

Ed.M., Education

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Psychology