The Accessible Comms Bootcamp
A hands-on bootcamp for professional communicators who want to do better, and do it right.
Saturday, March 28, 2026, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
APEX PR (160 Bloor St. E. Suite 600)
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.
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 concepts
• Legislation and implementation: What compliance looks like in practice
• 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.
Fees:
• $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)
Special thanks to our venue partner APEX PR and to Linda Andross ABC, MC for supporting this important opportunity.