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A hands-on bootcamp for professional communicators who want to do better, and do it right.

Join IABC/Toronto for a full-day, immersive accessible communications bootcamp designed for professionals who want to ensure their content is accessible, compliant and genuinely inclusive.

When: Saturday, March 28, 2026

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: APEX PR (160 Bloor St. E. Suite 600)

Please bring your own laptop, notebook, etc. Lunch will be provided.

Schedule

Morning Session (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

• Accessibility 101: Understanding disability, language and key concept
• Legislation and implementation: What compliance looks like in practic
• Content consumption and design: Applying accessibility to everyday communications
• Social media: Participants work to make pre-assigned content accessible

Lunch (12 to 1 p.m.)

Afternoon Session (1 to 4 p.m.)

• Microsoft Suite deep dive: Creating accessible Word and PowerPoint documents
• Accessible PDFs: Tagging, testing, and simple remediation
• Vendor considerations: Questions to ask about accessibility when working with external partners
• Q&A: Addressing final questions and real-world scenarios

Participants will receive a recognition certificate and a copy of Matisse’s brand-new book Accessible Communications as a take-home resource.

Meet your facilitator:
Matisse Hamel-Nelis (she/her) is an award-winning Métis communications and digital accessibility consultant based in Toronto. With extensive public relations experience, Matisse is the Principal of Matisse Nelis Consulting and a part-time professor and program coordinator for the Durham College Public Relations Graduate Certificate program, which she developed to reflect today’s communications industry’s real-world skills and values. Matisse is the founder and host of PR & Lattes, a podcast and blog that offers a platform for communications professionals to share insights and ideas on public relations, marketing and accessibility. Matisse is a recognized authority on accessibility in digital communications. She is certified as an Accessible Documents Specialist (ADS) and a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) through the International Association of Accessibility Professionals. She has also authored a book 'Accessible Communications' with Lisa Riemers, which provides actionable insights for creating inclusive and impactful messaging in a digital-first world. Matisse’s passion for accessibility and inclusion drives her to empower organizations and professionals to break down barriers and build meaningful, equitable connections in all their communications.

• $369: IABC members ($416.97 with HST), $399 + HST after February 20
• $469: IABC Lite members ($529.97 with HST), $499 + HST after February 20
• $699: Non-members ($789.87 with HST)