About the Presenters

Sharron Rush is the co-founder and Executive Director of Knowbility and organized the first Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR) Austin in 1998. She leads the effort to replicate the AIR program in cities throughout the country. Because of AIR, hundreds of professional Web developers from over 60 technology companies have learned about the benefits, tools, and techniques of accessible Web design. They have used their accessible Web design skills to create sites for more than 100 nonprofit groups, affecting the lives of thousands. In 2003, she has developed and is delivering the training to prepare nonprofit agencies for thier participation in AIR.

Sharron believes strongly in the power of technology to support the independence of people with disabilities - and in the value of dynamic, ongoing collaboration to strengthen communities. In less than five years, she has led Knowbility to national recognition, including appearances on the Oprah Winfrey TV show, "Best Practice" feature at the National Labor Skills Summit, and recognition for excellence and innovation by the Peter F. Drucker Foundation. She is a frequent presenter at national disability and technology conferences. In April of 2001, she was named one of the Top 25 Women of the Web and in March 2002, she received the Dewey Winburne Award for Community Service through Interactive Media. Her book, Maximum Accessibility, cowritten with John Slatin and published by Addison Wesley, was published in September 2002.

Len Pokryfke (poe-kriff-key) is the lead trainer for Accessibility and Distance Education at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. He is currently on the advisory board for AIR Houston, an accessibility Internet rally for Houston, Texas. He has taught web design and accessibility as part of a program for students with disabilities in Austin, Texas and has served as mentor to students with disabilities re-entering the workforce in high-tech/Internet positions. He is an accomplished web designer. Len is an engaging speaker, with experience as on-air talent for KLRU-Austin and a passion for accessibility and the Web.