Sharon Rosenblatt

About Sharon Rosenblatt

I am an accessibility professional and fervent disability advocate working to improve the overall technology experience by a user with disabilities. I specialize in auditing and providing remediation recommendations/solutions to the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 508, WCAG 2.0/2.1/2.2, CVAA, and PDF UA. I enjoy learning new types of assistive technology, following the latest compliance legislation, and keeping track of accessibility innovations by developers of all sizes. My latest personal and professional focus is the intersection of mental health and mindfulness with technology design. As the Director of Communications for Accessibility Partners, I strive to present our company\'s mission and services in a cogent manner, while also delivering the importance of accessibility in technology. Often, accessibility is an afterthought or a feared compliance item. I work to transform my client\'s trepidation into actionable steps through tailored testing plans, accessibility statements, dedicated training programs, disability employment, and research. I am frequently writing and contributing to technology and employment publications on the positive role that accessibility and people with disabilities can bring to an organization in any vertical. I\'m passionate about mental health, and have seen the positive outcomes that accessible technology and workplace accommodations have for the future of technology development and human resources. With my personal tendency to be ‘hands on’, I enthusiastically favor manual testing over automated solutions. I have been a proud part of the Accessibility Partners team since 2010, and specialize in document remediation and compliance testing (especially PDFs). My efforts have enabled developers and manufacturers to see the tremendous potential that accessibility has not just for users with disabilities, but of all abilities. I truly feel that accessibility is a right, and not a ‘nice to have’.

Experience

1. Director of Communications

   Accessibility Partners

   Apr 2010 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Sharon Rosenblatt thrives in a blank document with a blinking cursor at her command. As Director of Communications for Accessibility Partners, Sharon brings her writing to the front lines of disability advocacy and technology accessibility.Sharon specializes in document remediation, mental health policy, disability advocacy, and web compliance testing. Her efforts have enabled developers and manufacturers to see the tremendous potential that accessibility has for users all abilities. She tracks new accessibility and disability legislation to ensure that she and the company remain on the cutting edge, and enjoys seeing where laws intersect with technology in new arenas. Sharon enjoys participating in the constant dialogue between accessibility and innovation. With her enthusiasm highlighted in several publications like The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Fast Company, Information Week, CNN, Mint.com, and more. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, with a BA in English Language and Literature. When she isn’t fighting for equal access and technological equity, you can find Sharon running a road race or on wooded trail. Sharon believes that life begins at the edge of your comfort zone, no matter the age. Like her writing and personal hobby, both the sentences and Sharon always seem to run on.

Education

• University of Maryland

  Bachelor of Arts

  2006 — 2010

Skills

• Notary Public for the State of Maryland
• Dragon Naturally Speaking
• Microsoft Office
• Jaws
• Printer Fleet Management
• Printers
• Assistive Technology
• Disabilities
• Community Outreach
• Section 508
• Usability Testing
• Public Relations
• Nonprofits
• Program Development
• Wcag
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Zoomtext
• Event Planning
• Accessibility
• Fundraising
• Blogging
• Editing
• Online Advertising
• Social Media Marketing
• Usability
• Pdf Accessibility
• Social Media