Phil Daquila
After many years in media production, I've devoted the last five years to practicing accessibility in web development and user experience, including testing sites and docs, fixing them, and training others on best methods for ADA compliance and beyond. I am interested in both the tactical and strategic aspects of digital accessibility, with an emphasis on implementing accessibility in higher education, retail, finance, and healthcare. All people deserve to live independently in a world reliant on complex devices. Ask me about a11y for kiosks!
Experience
Digital Accessibility Consultant
Deque Systems Inc
- Certified subject matter expert in building client websites and documents to meet WCAG 2.0/2.1 and remove barriers for all users
- Embedded in agile crews as accessibility coach at Fortune 200 firm, writing story acceptance criteria and supporting product owners, business analysts, design, development, and QA teams and their digital experiences
- Review UI and inspect web code to identify accessibility issues; write user requirements and recommendations to resolve issues
- Conduct on-site and virtual accessibility trainings for clients in all roles, combining empathy and techniques; includes development of original training materials
Web Development Project Manager
UNC-Chapel Hill ITS Digital Services
- In response to accessibility complaints across UNC, I helped to launch initiative on campus to raise awareness of a11y requirements and educate all groups responsible for web content
- Tested and remediated university HTML, CSS, PDF, and PPT to conform to WCAG/508
- Wrote Digital Accessibility Guide and other documentation for university web owners
- Provided project and content management support for campus WordPress customers
- Audited and migrated content, trained owners, and delivered responsive web redesigns using CMS
Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Master of Arts in Video Journalism and Multimedia Production
- Contributor to several award-winning multimedia documentary websites
- Teaching assistant and storytelling coach for audio, video, photo
- Carnegie-Knight News21 Fellow
- Roy H. Park Fellow
Ohio University
Bachelor of Science in Magazine Journalism
- Southeast Ohio magazine editor
- The Post production editor
Presentations
I present to university staff, local business owners, and classrooms on the importance of digital accessibility, the legal landscape and where risk may lie, how to apply accepted techniques, and testing and fixing PDFs. I am on the lookout for more opportunities to share what I've learned; please email me if you have a need.
2019
- Triangle Accessibility Meetup & Devs@RTP Meetup, 8/26/19
- MEJO 581 UX Design and Usability, UNC School of Media and Journalism, 2/28/19
2018
- MEJO 581 UX Design and Usability, UNC School of Media and Journalism, 10/16/18
- UNC SkillfUL Workshop, UNC Libraries, 10/09/18
- Pittsboro-Chatham Social Media and Internet Marketing Meetup, 8/07/18
- UNC Carolina Technology Consultants (CTC) TecTalk, 7/12/18
- BarCamp UNC, 5/17/18 (Global Accessibility Awareness Day)
- UNC SkillfUL Workshop, UNC Libraries, 3/21/18
- MEJO 581 UX Design and Usability, UNC School of Media and Journalism, 3/06/18
2017
- UNC Communicators Council, 12/13/17
- UNC Carolina Technology Consultants (CTC) Retreat, 11/03/17
- UNC ITS Freaky Friday, 7/21/17
- Pittsboro-Chatham Social Media and Internet Marketing Meetup, 7/18/17
- UNC Webmasters, 4/06/17
- UNC University Communications Staff, 3/08/17
- UNC ITS Digital Services Staff, 2/02/17
Interests
In addition to the reward of helping people participate in the web through my a11y work, I am drawn to the visual arts. I enjoy both digital and film photography, including developing black and white film at home and sharing favorites on Instagram.
After making hundreds of video/photo documentaries for small business, editorial, and education, I appreciate more than ever watching a great doc, and I volunteer at Durham's pride, the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.
In July 2019 I participated in a Magnum Photos documentary masterclass in Paris with a self-assignment to look at how two fully blind people navigate the city given all its chaos and obstacles, which resulted in a print publication. For my next personal project, I aim to produce a series of videos that show how blind and low-vision folks not only use the web but create the web.
To have a look at some of my multimedia archive, please visit my SmartShoot profile.
Copyright 2018-21 Phil Daquila