David R Hankes
IT Innovation Manager, Village of Downers Grove, IL
Downers Grove, Illinois, United States
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David is a catalyst leader with a strong executive presence and a passion for building networks that inspire confidence and drive innovation. His decades in public sector IT have defined his approach to inclusive innovation, ensuring that products, features, and infrastructure are not only high-quality but also valuable to individuals, businesses, and communities. David’s expertise includes DevOps, user experience (UX), service design, and accessibility. These skills enable him to enhance transparency, increase productivity, deliver value, and boost customer engagement.
David holds an M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction from DePaul University and is a certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) by Rutgers/PTI. He actively participates in several professional organizations: the Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (SIGCHI), the Government Management Information Science (GMIS), and the Service Design in Government Community of Practice. Additionally, he has served as a mentor in the General Services Administration (GSA) User Experience Community of Practice.
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When it Rains, it POURs: Surviving the WCAG 2.1 AA Storm!
Transition from the overwhelming, reactive "storm" of WCAG 2.1 AA compliance to a proactive, "Clear Skies" strategy that embeds true accessibility into daily workflows. This session moves beyond mere checklists to address real digital obstacles and deeply ingrained habits, and how we empower teams to create inclusive digital experiences.
I. The Forecast - Holding a naive belief that our site and services could be simplified to a simple checkbox.
II. The Downpour - Training gaps fall short, overwhelmed is the new catch phrase, and automated tools can't replace human diligence.
III. Navigating the POUR Principles - Let's move past textbook definitions and address genuine frustrations.
IV. The Aftermath - Valuable lessons learned that a webinar or professional training could not fix. Our accessibility challenges stemmed not from technical issues, but from established staff habits.
V. The "Clear Skies" Strategy - How shifting from panic to action laid out a new plan to weave accessibility into our workflows from day one — making it a fundamental priority rather than an afterthought.
VI. Navigating Digital Realities and Feedback - Similar to FEMA's National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF), public agencies must share their feedback and experiences with one another. This collaboration empowers us to recover more efficiently and rebuild more resiliently.
Roundtable: Putting the "Human" Back in Digital Government: Engaging Citizens Through Innovation (co
Citizens increasingly expect government services to match the ease and efficiency of the private sector, but many platforms still fall short, leading to frustration, disengagement, and eroded trust. Imitating existing systems only reinforces outdated practices and compliance issues.
To truly meet public needs, governments must prioritize user experience by focusing on discovery, design, delivery, and measurement. By creating digital services that are practical, accessible, and user-friendly, we can enhance effectiveness, rebuild trust, and deliver experiences that genuinely serve the people.
WCAG 2.1 AA Extends Beyond a Website; It is the Foundation of Your Organization
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires state and local governments to ensure their "services, programs, and activities" are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Let's discuss
1. What is WCAG 2.1 Level AA?
2. What are the compliance requirements, and when do we need to comply?
3. Are there any exceptions to these requirements?
4. How can organizations establish a framework to comply with the standards?
5. What current technologies can assist in easing the compliance burden on my organization?
David R Hankes
IT Innovation Manager, Village of Downers Grove, IL
Downers Grove, Illinois, United States
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