Vita

Dan Comden

Access Technology Manager, University of Washington Access Technology Center
Box 352820, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
206/685-4144 / danc @ uw.edu

Education

B.A. in Speech Communication - June, 1986 from Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA

Other training

College coursework in BASIC, FORTRAN and database management systems from Humboldt State University
Computer training classes from University of Washington Computing and Communications include: C Programming, Intro and Advanced X Windows, and Unix System Administration
" Designing for Usability, Flexibility & Accessibility - Trace Center, University of Wisconsin (Madison), July 2002

Professional Organizations

Institutional Member, Access Technology Higher Education Network (ATHEN)
Accessing Higher Ground conference, organizing member
Washington Association on Postsecondary Education and Disability
Ed-ICT

Work Experience

Access Technology Manager
6/92-present: University of Washington
Manage computer lab services for use by students, faculty and staff with disabilities. Provide campus-wide consulting services for departments requesting assistance with accommodations for disabled students, faculty and staff. Consult with web and application designers and developers to work toward more accessible and usable products. Provide training and supervise/direct the work of lab assistants. Evaluate, purchase, install and test all adaptive hardware and software for use in the Lab. Teach classes in adaptive technology and give talks at local and national conferences. Serve as campus consultant for accessible Web design, testing and advising University Web pages as needed. As Technology Coordinator, provide general computing and special adaptive technology support for students and staff involved with DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking & Technology), a National Science Foundation-funded grant program to work with disabled high school students nationwide. Coordinate program Web site. Develop technology-related brochures, videos and training materials. As requested, serve as peer reviewer for Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) within the federal Department of Education. Coordinate production of alternative text (e-text, Braille) and tactile graphics for students, staff, and visitors with disabilities.

Systems Analyst/Programmer 2
4/89 to 6/92: University of Washington
Provide consulting services for different platforms to Employment Office and other Personnel Services staff. Train staff. Implement and maintain new applicant tracking system as well as maintenance and programming for legacy software. Recommend purchases of hardware, software, supplies and services. Independently develop and publish in-office procedure manuals. Provide extensive database programming services for office support tasks as well as custom applicant tracking modules. Write Unix shell scripts to support and augment applicant data and transfers to other University departments.

Assistant Coordinator
3/86 to 6/88: Humboldt State University Disabled Student Services
Provide adaptive and office computer support for program clients and staff. Instruct staff in use of computer system. Train students and staff in use of adaptive equipment, software and services. Evaluate and recommend hardware and software for assistive technology. Organize program awareness events. Assist program coordinator in all aspects of the service program. Supervise, interview and hire up to 40 student assistants per quarter. Design and implement database system to track client progress. Manage specific program services such as tape recordings for learning and visually disabled students, note-taking services, and on-campus transportation for disabled faculty, staff and students.

Windows Software Tester
5/90 to 6/92: Self-Employed
Provide contract testing services for hypertext documentation and help systems for Windows-based software. Work with programmers/writers on revisions and suggest formatting, style and topic implementation. Projects included in-house and public release software for Microsoft Corporation as well as other applications.

Data Services Specialist
9/88 to 4/89: Western Energy Distributors, Seattle, Washington
Design and maintain multiple databases for various client mailing lists. Consultant for FoxBase and WordPerfect tasks. Ad hoc system administrator for Xenix network. responsible for order processing, accounts payable entry, and inventory control. Train staff in use of order entry system and FoxBase software.
Preloader
7/86 to 6/88: United Parcel Service, Eureka, CA
Unload shipping trailers, load delivery vehicles.

Military

United States Coast Guard Reserve, 4/83 to 5/85. Honorable Discharge.

Video appearances and projects

Selected Presentations and Papers

IT Accessibility on Campus: from procurement to implementation co-presentation at AHG 2017
Vendor collaboration: From IT Accessibility Evaluation to Designing with Accessibility co-presentation at AHG 2017
How to effectively collaborate with Vendors presentation at AHG 2015
Technology and Web Accessibility Overview (video) UW Design Use Build 2014
A Lifetime of Tech - What A Long Strange Trip It's Been - ITD Journal, 2014
"DIY Braille Math" presentation, Accessing Higher Ground conference, Boulder, CO, November 2008
"NADP and ATHEN - Collaborate and Compare" presentation, National Association of Disability Practitioners conference, High Wycombe, UK, September, 2008
"Innovative AT Research at the University of Washington" presentation at AHG 2007
"Automating Tactile Graphics" presentation and paper, Accessing Higher Ground conference, November 2005
Four half-day workshops on Access Technology and Disabilities in education and employment issues, Korea Institute Special Education, August, 2005
Access Technology Overview, Professional & Workers Compensation workshop, January 2005
"Accessibility Considerations in Development" presentation, campus-wide meeting of system developers, December 2004
"Creating Accessible Math using LaTeX and the Tiger" and "Research on Web Accessibility in Higher Education" presentations at Accessing Higher Ground conference, November 2004
"Technology Accessibility Policies in Higher Education" panel presentation, EDUCAUSE, October 2004
"Access Technology for Education and Employment" presentation for Workforce Development Council, January, 2004
"Create Accessible Videos" and "Research on Web Accessibility in Higher Education" presentations, Accessing Higher Ground conference, Boulder, CO, November, 2003
Accessible Web Design Basics - guest lecture, Seattle Central Community College, October 27, 2003
"Research on Web Accessibility in Higher Education" presentation, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, March, 2003
AT Solutions for Web Accessibility, TechDis training session, York University, England, February 2003
"Adaptive Technology for Higher Education" presentation, University and Colleges Information System Association, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, England, February 2003
Thompson, T., Burgstahler, S., & Comden, D. (2003). Research On Web Accessibility In Higher Education. Journal of Information Technology and Disabilities, 9 (2).
"Overview of AT" teleconference presentation for Office of Civil Rights, June 18, 2002
"Overview of AT for Education and Employment" training session for Department of Vocational Rehabilitation staff, April, 2002
"Accessible Web Design Workshop" Poster session, NCCE, March, 2002
"Accessible Web Design Workshop" for Catalyst. Workshop web site, University of Washington, March, 2002
"Accessibility for Libraries" presentation, Governor's Access Awareness Subcommittee, Burien, WA, January 2002
"Adaptive Technology Overview" presentation, Syllabus conference, Danvers, MA, November, 2001
"Adaptive Technology Overview" presentation, Association for Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) conference, Portland, Oregon, July, 2001
"Accessible Design Issues" guest lecture for graduate Human-Computer Interface course, University of Washington, May 2001
"Adaptive Technology and Accessibility for College" presentation, Bellevue Community College, April, 2001
"Working Together: Computers and People with Mobility Impairments" and "Working Together: Computers and People with Sensory Impairments" brochures published in print and online summer, 2001 by DO-IT.
"Technical Support Of JawBone Technology And Training Techniques" workshop and "Cross Atlantic Collaboration To Provide A Pilot Quality Audit Document For A Group Of Technology Centres" presentation at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, March, 2001
"Audit Checklist Pilot Project" for National Federation of Access Centres (NFAC), United Kingdom. Report submitted to NFAC and British Parliament, June, 2000.
"Technology for Learning Disabilities in Education and Employment" workshop and "Techniques Toward Accessible Web Design" presentation at the Conference on Technology and Disability: Access to the Future, University of Washington, May 20-21, 2000
"Adaptive Technology and Learning Disabilities" brochure published May, 2000 by DO-IT. On-line version available at http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/atpwld.html
"DO-IT On The Road" and "Speech Input and Screen Reading is A Reality: JawBone Demonstration" presentations at California State University, Northridge Technology and Persons With Disabilities Conference, March, 2000.
"Tools for Advancing Diversity: Utilizing Technology for Support." presentation at the Workplace Diversity Conference (sponsored by Working Mother magazine) in Miami, Florida, March, 2000
"Accessible Web Design" brochure for DO-IT released February 2000. It can also be found at http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/universal.design.html
"Adaptive Technology and Universal Web Design" Guest lecture for Human Computer Interaction graduate course, February, 2000
College Preview Camp presentations and coordination, Rocky Mountain Village, Empire, Colorado, August, 1999.
"Universal Design for the Web" presentation for Boeing Webmasters meeting and teleconference, June 1999
"Adaptive Technology for People With Learning Disabilities" presentation at Washington Assistive Technology Alliance (WATA) summer institute, June 1999
"Opening Doors: Mentoring on the Internet" presentation and panel member of "Adaptive Technology And Adult Learners", March, 1999, CSUN Conference, Los Angeles, CA
"Adaptive Technology for Education and Employment", March, 1999, Northwest Council for Computer Education (NCCE) Conference, Seattle, WA
"Accessible Web Design," "What Works: Adaptive Technology Overview," (Keynote Address) "Internet Support for Student Peers and Mentors," "Internet Summer Camps: A Toolkit", April 2-3, 1998, Positive Feedback Conference, University of Sussex, England. "Internet Resources for Service Providers," and "Adaptive Technology Overview", October 21, 1998, WAPED Preconference, Pasco, WA
"Accessible Web Site Design", March, 1998, , Northwest Council for Computer Education (NCCE) Conference, Spokane, WA and UW Computer Fair, Seattle, WA
"Universal Design For Universal Access: Making The Internet More Accessible For People With Disabilities" coauthor with Beth Fraser and Sheryl Burgstahler. ALKI magazine, Journal of the Washington Library Association, December 1997, volume 13, number 3
"Making Web Sites Accessible to All: Issues and Strategies" at Closing the Gap conference, Minneapolis, MN, October, 1997
"Adaptive Technology in the Workplace" presentation, June 1997, Statewide Vocational Conference, Labor & Industry, Tumwater, Washington.
"Making Web Sites Accessible to All: Issues and Strategies" and "World Wide Access: Focus on Libraries" presentations at California State University, Northridge Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, March, 1997
"Internet Basics: Empower People With Disabilities" full day workshop at Closing the Gap, October, 1996 and 1997, Minneapolis, MN
"Adaptive Technology overview" - Two 3-hour workshops at Images '96 (Pacific Northwest Abilities Tech Conference), Seattle, WA, April, 1996
"DO-IT on the Road: Technical Support of Students with Disabilities in Multiple States" presentation at Closing the Gap, October, 1995 in Minneapolis, MN
"DO-IT and Adaptive Technology" poster presentation at EDUCOM, Portland, Oregon, October, 1995
"Empowerment with Technology" at the Connecting with Technology Conference, Lake Washington Technical College, Kirkland, WA, April 1995
"Adaptive Technology: What Works", California State University, Northridge Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, March, 1995
"Network Communication and Information resources: What's in It for Students with Disabilities?", Closing the Gap conference, October, 1994, Minneapolis, MN
Presentation for Rehabilitation Medicine Dept. at UW Health Sciences, June 1994
Radio show appearance, Evergreen Radio Reading service, April, 1994
"DO-IT Program Overview" Assets '94 ACM/SIGCAPH Conference, Marina Del Rey, CA
Presentation and overview of adaptive technology to Spinal Cord Injury group at UW Campus. April, 1994
"The Electronic Highway", March, 1994, CSUN conference, Los Angeles, CA
"Adaptive Technology: Practical Applications for Education and Employment" - January 20, 1994, UW campus.
"Adaptive Technology Used by DO-IT Scholars", October 21, 1993, Closing the Gap conference, Minneapolis, MN
"Joining the Global Community: Empowering Individuals with Disabilities", October, 1992, Closing the Gap conference, Minneapolis, MN