Closing Remarks

By Sumner Davenport

I have been designing websites since 1997 and was introduced to WordPress in 2008 and fell in love with it. Web Accessibility is my passion. After several years of designing websites, I had a embarrassing realization: the websites I created were inadvertently creating barriers for people with disabilities. This humbling experience ignited a mission within me to transform how websites are designed. I dedicated myself to learning how to create ethically designed, natively inclusive websites. I am a member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), the Internet Society Special Interest Group Accessibility and an active supporter of various disability organizations. My passion is to educate web designers using WordPress on the value and ease of universal and accessible design. Through my long-standing organization, Sumner M. Davenport & Assoc., we blend tech with heart, making websites accessible for everyone, including those with disabilities. With 20 years in business, our team of professionals uses a mix of automated and manual testing, ensuring your digital space is inclusive and compliant. We're not just about code; we're about community, integrity, and making the web a better place for all. I am active in accessibility and legal conferences and educational venues, regularly speaking on topics related to conformance issues for WordPress websites. I have been invited to present at TechAccessOK and John Slatin AccessU, local WordPress Meetup groups and WordCamps, including WordCampUS 2023. In early 2020 two colleagues and I started a local Meetup group to discuss WordPress and Accessibility and have invited renowned speakers on Accessibility topics to be the guest presenters. I have spoken at WordCamps Riverside and Santa Clarita and have served as the Speaker Wrangler for WordCamp SantaClarita 2020 and for WordCamp LAX 2020, and as the lead organizer for WordCamp SantaClarita 2021. I was invited to speak at WordCamp US 2023. I have participated in the Knowbility Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR) as Developer team member and have been invited to be a mentor to other teams. In 2021, the team I mentored won 2nd place in the competition. Professionally, I rescue websites that have been targeted because of lack of accessibility. Personally, I rescue precious dogs and cats from unnecessary bad situations.