Deborah Kaplan

Background

About Deborah Kaplan

My favorite moment is when the person who didn’t like accessibility (because they thought it slowed things down, or they didn’t see how it was relevant) starts to enjoy it. As an accessibility evangelist, I deliver the training, tools, communities of practice and perspective that make this possible. I help people find out that coming up with innovative accessibility solutions is a great way to discover technology that everybody likes. I love what I do because it makes technology a tool that everyone can use. My background has given me a treasure chest of skills and expertise: legal training and writing skills, management and leadership experience, curriculum development and training, creation of communities of practice, policy development and implementation, envisioning and organizing large (and accessible) events, deep disability community connections, comprehensive knowledge of accessibility standards and tools, working connections to the leaders in the field, and more. I have worked at non-profits and advocacy organizations, corporate consulting, higher education, and government. I’ve developed a broad perspective, with an appreciation of the different roles and perspectives people bring to accessibility. It’s exciting to see accessibility really taking hold, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.