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Pre-Conference Workshop Registration Now Open!

Get a head start on the NAGW National Conference by joining one of our dynamic, hands-on pre-conference workshops, now open for registration! These in-depth, half-day sessions are designed specifically for government web and digital professionals and offer practical, real-world learning led by seasoned experts who understand the unique challenges of government web work.

This year's lineup covers accessibility foundations, disability experience, accessibility training, and modern CSS. Whether you're building your accessibility program from the ground up or sharpening your development skills, there's a session for you.

Each 4-hour workshop is priced at $125 for members and non-members, and space is limited, so register today!

Already registered for the main NAGW Conference? No problem, add on a pre-conference session by registering for the session(s) below!

Pre-Conference Schedule:

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026 | Hyatt Regency Milwaukee

7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.: Breakfast

8 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Web Accessibility Foundations for Government Web Teams: A Hands-On Workshop Presented by Kat Shaw, Lead Engineer & CPACC-certified Web Accessibility Specialist, Lullabot The DOJ ADA Title II Rule sets WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the standard for state and local government websites, with compliance deadlines in April 2027 and 2028. This beginner-friendly workshop covers what the rule requires, core accessibility skills (semantic HTML, headings, alt text, color contrast, and keyboard navigation), free testing tools, and the screen reader landscape with VoiceOver demos. Role-specific tracks address developers, content authors, and solo-shop generalists. You'll leave with a working understanding of the rule, a triage approach for audit findings, and accessibility skills you can apply Monday morning.

8 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Experience of Disability Presented by Jon Gunderson, Tech For All Understanding how people with disabilities use the web is essential to purchasing accessible products and services and creating accessible experiences. This session covers the demographics of disability and the built-in accessibility features of operating systems, and includes a hands-on disability simulation that gives you firsthand experience of how people with disabilities interact with the web. Attendees will come away understanding how universal design benefits everybody.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.: Lunch (included in pre-conference registration cost)

1 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Teaching Accessibility to Non-Technical Staff: Building a Training Program That Works Presented by Colleen Kilian, Systems Administrator, City of Champaign, IL The DOJ accessibility ruling makes one thing clear: accessibility is no longer optional. This session supports the "accidental accessibility trainer" teaching accessibility without a technical background. Participants will explore a real-world PDF accessibility training, learn to simplify complex concepts, use relatable examples, and build buy-in. You'll leave with practical tools, training strategies, and a framework for making accessibility part of everyday work, including accessible PDF fundamentals with common barriers, simple fixes, and repeatable workflows staff can apply immediately.

1 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Clearfix: Catching Up on the CSS You've Missed Presented by Dave Seabeck, Larimer County, CO CSS has evolved faster in the last few years than in the previous decade, and for those maintaining long-term projects, it's easy to stick with outdated hacks. This rapid-fire session covers modern features that render the clearfix era obsolete: container queries, logical properties, layers, and the old workarounds you can finally drop. Built for developers who get their hands dirty in code, you'll update your responsive paradigm from viewports to containers, discover JavaScript-saving functionality now available in CSS, and reduce technical debt.

View full details and register here: https://nagw.org/2026-Conference-Workshops

Please note: If you are attending a morning pre-conference session, you are eligible to receive a complimentary breakfast as part of your pre-conference registration. If you are attending an afternoon pre-conference session, you are eligible to receive a complimentary lunch as part of your pre-conference registration. If you are attending a morning and afternoon pre-conference session, you are eligible to receive a complimentary breakfast and lunch as part of your pre-conference registration.