SUMMARY

Front-end Web developer, senior information designer, and content delivery specialist providing consulting and contracting services for usable, accessible, and standards-compliant websites, intranets, online information systems, and user interfaces. Specialty in Accessible Web Design and Section 508 accessibility.

• Assists businesses, organizations, and individuals in using the World Wide Web and other online technologies to promote their ideas, products, and services more effectively.
• Employs the latest technologies, such as structured XHTML and cascading style sheets (CSS), while ensuring compliance with W3C content guidelines and Section 508 accessibility standards.
• Translates user needs into universal and accessible information design, website architecture, and user interfaces.
• Collaborates on cross-functional project teams, and trains others in Internet technologies and the development of accessible information designs.
• Organizes content repositories and writes effective Web content, documentation, marketing communications, and technical specifications.

TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Internet Technologies:	HTML, XHTML, CSS, XML, XSL
Web Tools:	Macromedia HomeSite, CSE HTML Validator, TopStyle Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Dreamweaver, Beyond Compare, FTP clients, etc.
Application Software:	Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook), Adobe Acrobat Professional (PDF), Microsoft Visio, etc.
Accessibility Tools:	JAWS, HiSoftware AccVerify, Cynthia Says, WebAIM WAVE, LIFT Online, etc.
Content Management Systems:	Oracle Universal Content Manager, Oracle PortalAS, Interwoven Teamsite, etc.
Database Applications:	Oracle RDBMS, Lotus Notes, etc.
Operating Systems:	Microsoft Windows, Unix, Macintosh OS, MVS

EXPERIENCE

Information Designer / Consultant (self-employment), Gardner Information Design, Inc., Arlington, MA (2002 to Present, details below)

• Contracts and freelance projects in front-end web development, information architecture, and content delivery for enterprise organizations (www.gidi.biz/projects.html).
• Development of custom and accessible websites for small businesses, professionals, and non-profit organizations (www.gidi.biz/custom.html).
• Founder of Boston-IA (www.Boston-IA.org), a professional organization advocating for Accessible Web Design and "Making Internet Accessibility Mainstream".

Presentation Engineer (projects), Cramer, Norwood, MA (July 2008 - March 2009)

• Developed over two dozen web sites, microsites, HTML emails, prototypes, and application templates for state-of-the-art marketing campaigns for Cramer clients (www.crameronline.com).
• Employed XHTML, CSS, Photoshop, JavaScript routines, and Flash players, to construct Web pages in Windows, .NET, and various content management environments.
• Worked with project managers, visual designers, information architects, other front-end web developers, back-end programmers, and Flash developers in a rapid-paced development environment.

Accessibility Lead (project), Isovera, Cambridge, MA (April - December 2008)

• Served as accessibility expert and user interface consultant on a project to redesign the Massachusetts Accessible Housing Registry (MassAccess) for the Massachusetts Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) [Web site launched December 2008].
• Developed flexible web page layouts (XHTML & CSS) and accessible forms for integration into a PHP web application and SQL database, to enable people with disabilities and others to search for accessible and affordable housing online.
• Participated in user interface design for interactive elements of the web application, and information architecture and content management for the Help & Resources section.
• Tested the completed web application for compliance with the U.S. Government Section 508 and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Enterprise Web Accessibility Standards, as well as performing browser compatibility and heuristic quality assurance testing.

Process Documentation Consultant (freelance projects), The Andover Companies, Andover, MA (November - December 2007 / October 2008 - January 2009)

• Organized an online library of mainframe, network, and web application documentation, and built an HTML index, to support the Technical Services group of the Andover insurance companies (www.andovercos.com).
• Produced documentation of Information Technology policies and procedures for annual audit purposes.

Web Content Designer (contract), Fresenius Medical Care North America, Lexington, MA (May - September 2007)

• Participated in redesign of the Fresenius Medical Care NA intranet, to empower employees, clinicians, physicians, and other medical providers responsible for renal care services and related products.
• Performed content analysis and information architecture to organize over 15,000 documents for intranet delivery.
• Created web page layouts using Oracle content management products (Oracle Universal Content Manager and Oracle PortalAS), HTML/XHTML, and cascading style sheets.

Information Architect (contract), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Boston, MA (January - April 2007)

• Redesigned the Health & Dental Plans section of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts web site (www.bluecrossma.com), to support Massachusetts universal health care reform.
• Created site maps and wireframes, and reviewed and monitored content management data entry.
• Created wireframes and site maps for other Blue Cross Blue Shield web initiatives, including a microsite featuring supplemental health plan benefits.

Program Director, AIR-Boston (project), Knowbility, Inc., Austin, TX (March 2006 - April 2007)

• Directed a project to bring Knowbility's Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR), an accessible Web design education and awareness program, to the greater Boston area (www.Knowbility.org/air-boston).

Process Documentation Consultant (contract), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Boston, MA (August - December 2006)

• Organized process documentation for the Enterprise Testing Solutions group (responsible for the quality assurance of all BCBSMA software development projects).
• Created process and user documentation regarding application testing and test tracking (including use of the Mercury Quality Center test management system).
• Consulted on documentation strategies to support all department activities for user acceptance and automation testing.

Senior Accessibility Consultant (consulting projects), TecAccess LLC, Rockville, VA (August - December 2005)

• Converted the 200-page TecAccess website to accessible XHTML and CSS (www.TecAccess.net).
• Prepared contract proposals for Section 508 and Telecommunications accessibility projects for major clients and government agencies.
• Made PDF documents accessible on behalf of U.S. government agencies.

Technical Writer (contract), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Boston, MA (January - July 2005)

• Reorganized the BCBSMA Quality Assurance process library to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Documented the system development lifecycle for Information Technology project managers.

Technical Writer (contract), Fidelity Investments, Merrimack, NH (November - December 2004)

• Participated in the creation of Human Resource policy and procedure documentation for a national banking institution, using Lotus Notes.

Front-End Web Developer (contract), Staples, Framingham, MA (January - July 2004)

• Participated in a major redesign of Staples.com [Web site version launched July 2005].
• Hand-coded XHTML and CSS, employing strict modular design (Macromedia HomeSite).
• Built Web pages and page templates for dynamically generated content, according to page comprehensives and design specifications.
• Tested Web pages for cross-browser compatibility and ensured consistency with in-house standards.
• Participated in the maintenance and structuring of the project source control library.

Documentation Consultant / Senior Systems Officer, State Street Corporation, Quincy, MA (August 1994 - April 2002)

CitiStreet (2000 to 2002)
State Street and State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) (1994 to 2000)

• Established a documentation group to serve the division's internal information needs for help systems, documentation of in-house software applications, and content and user interfaces for Internet and intranet applications.
• Designed and developed a custom help system, containing over 200 help files and over 10,000 topics, used by phone representatives in three call centers to answer questions for retirement plan participants.
• Designed the integration of the phone representative's Internet workstation application and context-sensitive help. Collaborated on user interface design, and wrote business and functional specifications.
• Created content and structured HTML for the prototype of an e-business 401(k) participant Internet workstation application.
• Developed a 500+ page corporate intranet for the CitiStreet Institutional Division.
• Coordinated the development and maintenance of the Retirement Investment Services division's portion of the SSgA intranet.
• Collaborated on user interface design for customer-based Internet application products for Retiree Services (a separate State Street business), and wrote product documentation.
• Trained employees and contractors in Internet technologies, software applications, standards, workgroup methodologies, and the company's information resources.

MEMBERSHIPS

• Boston-IA (founder, www.Boston-IA.org)
• Usability Professionals Association (UPA)
• Boston CHI
• Society for Technical Communication (STC)
• STC AccessAbility SIG
• International Webmasters Association (IWA)
• HTML Writers Guild (HWG)

WORKSHOPS

• HTML Writers Guild: Photoshop for the Web, 2008
• Aging by Design Conference (Bentley University), 2004, 2005 & 2006
• HTML Writers Guild: Design Concepts; HTML Forms, 2004
• XML Workshop, 2004
• Watchfire Accessibility Seminars, 2002-2003
• Corporate and e-Business Portals, 2002
• XML for Technical Communicators, 2002
• Moving from HTML to XML, 2002
• RoboHelp HTML & RoboHelp Classic, 2001
• Oracle Browser, 1996

PROGRAMMING COURSES

• Structured C (Northeastern University)
• Structured COBOL (SCCC)
• PL/I, Pascal, Algol W (SUNY Stony Brook)
• BASIC (Boston University)

EDUCATION

School of Professional and Continuing Studies, Northeastern University, Boston, MA (Graduate Certificate, January 2003 - June 2004)

• Graduate certificate in Accessible Web Design/Interactive Design, with specific focus on accessibility and universal design principles.

State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY

• Master of Arts in English (permanent teaching certification)
• Bachelor of Arts in English, summa cum laude