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Web Accessibility Specialist - John Foliot

John Foliot

John Foliot is an internationally recognized web accessibility specialist, Internet consultant, site developer, and corporate trainer, who has been creating and managing web sites for over 8 years.

Based in Ottawa, Canada, John is skilled and experienced in HTML/XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, and streaming Multi-Media, along with practical experience in PHP, MySQL, RSS, XML, EARL, P3P and other emerging web technologies. He currently holds a Canadian Security Clearance Level of Secret (File #95161849)

With numerous local and national web sites in his portfolio (including a couple of bilingual developments), he takes pride in clean, efficient, valid HTML coding. Cross platform compatibility and accessibility is of a primary concern in all projects he undertakes, and it is an issue that he does not take lightly.

"Making your web site accessible ensures that everybody can benefit from it, which can only be of benefit to you. It's easy to get caught up in a one-platform situation, but we must always remember that not everybody is seeing what you see. That's the nature of the web."

For 2 years he consulted as a member of the Treasury Board funded WATS testing team, advising and recommending Federal government departments on issues of web accessibility. When that internal service was discontinued in the Spring of 2003, John and his former partner Derek Featherstone established WATS.ca to fill the obvious void.

John has completed numerous web audits for various government departments, including International Business Branch at Industry Canada, Communication Canada, Department of Social Development (HRDC), Canadian Centre for Management Development (HRDC), and more, focusing on Accessibility issues and Common Look and Feel compliance. He has also developed and delivered seminars on Accessibility and Common Look and Feel for the Canadian Space Agency and the Supreme Court of Canada, Human Resources Development Canada, and the National Research Council. In November 2002, John was invited to become an accessibility advisor to the Board of Directors of the Hiawatha Software Company, developers of the Award Winning AccVerify suite of compliancy testing tools.

John has also taught a number of courses for the (now defunct) Internet Institute, including Creating Accessible Websites, Common Look and Feel for Government Websites, Web Page Design, HomeSite, Web Graphics as well as introductory and advanced Internet courses. He has also developed seminars on Web Accessibility and Server Log interpretation as well as worked on revising and updating HTML course offerings at the Institute. His relaxed and easy-going manner makes learning these topics both fun and exciting and he truly loves sharing with his students.

An eight month stint at Entrust Technologies as a Lead website developer saw him working in the areas of e-commerce, internet security, and multi-language site offerings (English, French, Spanish, Korean). Prior to that, he worked for close to 20 years in the entertainment industry, including 15 years for EMI Music/Capital Records. Accustomed to working independently, John is also a team player whose many years of sales and marketing allows him to bring a unique perspective to every project he approaches.

Recent Presentations
Developing a Framework to Ensure Your Knowledge Vessels are Accessible
March 10th, 2005. "Managing Government Information", The Westin Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario CANADA
Web Accessibility and Bill 118: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
February 8, 2005. Presented to the STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL POLICY - GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO, Ottawa, Ontario CANADA
Developing a Framework to Ensure your Web Site is Accessible (Full day Master Class)
December 9, 2004. "Web Site Usability and Accessibility for Government", The Westin Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario CANADA
Evaluating and Testing Web Site Accessibility for Improved Usability
December 11, 2003. "Web Site Usability and Accessibility for Government", The Westin Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario CANADA
Defining and Addressing Web Site Accessibility Requirements
July 16, 2003. "Web Site Content Management for Government", Ottawa Congress Center, Ottawa, Ontario CANADA
Developing a Framework to Ensure your Web Site is Accessible
July 17, 2003. "Web Site Content Management for Government", Ottawa Congress Center, Ottawa, Ontario CANADA
Perspectives on Accessibility
March 2003. Presented to CapCHI (National Capital Region Special Interest Group on Computer Human Interaction)
Accessibility and CLF, Part 1: Evaluating your Web Site Accessibility
April 2003. Presented at GovNET '03

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