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Dennis Deacon

Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061 • dennis.deacon.a11y@gmail.com • 312-523-1116 • dennisdeacon.com • linkedin.com/in/dennisdeacon

Executive Summary

Strategic digital accessibility leader with 12+ years of experience advancing inclusive design, accessibility compliance, and enterprise-wide accessibility strategy. Proven success in leading cross-functional teams, scaling accessibility programs, and aligning WCAG 2.2, Section 508, and EN 301 549 standards with business objectives. Track record of reducing accessibility defects, mentoring teams, and delivering measurable improvements in compliance, usability, and customer satisfaction.

Skills

  • Accessibility compliance
  • Client relationship management
  • Digital strategy development
  • Cost estimating
  • Process optimization
  • Team leadership

Professional Experience

Manager, Solutions Engineering – Vispero

January 2022 to Present – Chicago, Illinois, United States

  • Direct a team of Solutions Engineers, aligning activities with business priorities, and increasing project throughput by 5%.
  • Scope 200+ accessibility projects annually across web, mobile, desktop, kiosk, and design assets, including Fortune 500 companies, ensuring client testing meets WCAG 2.2 AA, Section 508, and EN 301 549 standards.
  • Produce accurate cost estimates for client engagements, improving proposal win rates.
  • Configure accessibility reviews in the ARC Platform, streamlining automated and manual testing workflows, and cutting onboarding time by 2 hours per project.
  • Deliver software product demonstrations that highlight critical features and business impact, influencing customer decision-making.
  • Spearhead the development of weekly, monthly, and quarterly departmental reports, giving leadership real-time visibility into resource utilization and delivery performance.
  • Partner with Sales and Marketing to deliver accessibility-focused solutions, supporting revenue growth, and expanding pipeline opportunities by 5%.

Solutions Engineer (TPGi) – Vispero

February 2021 to January 2022 – Chicago, Illinois, United States

  • Scoped 100+ accessibility projects across web, mobile, desktop, and design assets, ensuring client testing met WCAG 2.1 AA, Section 508, and EN 301 549 standards.
  • Adapted existing Solutions Engineering processes to the new ARC Platform, increasing sales prospect engagement by 10%.
  • Streamlined automated and manual accessibility testing by configuring reviews in ARC.

Accessibility Engineer (TPGi) – Vispero

August 2017 to February 2021 – Chicago, Illinois, United States

  • Led accessibility audits for over 50 sites and apps, cutting defects by up to 60% post-remediation.
  • Authored prioritized remediation reports aligned with WCAG 2.1 and Section 508.
  • Provided embedded accessibility consulting for a Fortune 500 client.
  • Partnered with developers and designers to implement accessibility-first solutions, reducing rework costs by an estimated 20%.

eCommerce Production Accessibility Specialist / Front-End Web Developer – United Airlines

May 2012 to August 2017 – Chicago, Illinois, United States

  • Led accessibility efforts across eCommerce, training teams on WCAG, and inclusive design.
  • Reviewed high-traffic platforms for accessibility, improving usability for over 150 million users.
  • Drove cross-team initiatives, cutting recurring accessibility issues by 40%.
  • Helped redesign CMS templates to boost scalability and accessibility.
  • Managed United.com content and campaigns, driving revenue through accessible UX.

Front-End Web Developer (Contractor) – United Airlines

June 2010 to April 2012 – Chicago, Illinois, United States

  • Contributed to the redesign of United’s MileagePlus booking engine, serving over 150 million travelers annually.
  • Ensured cross-browser and assistive technology compatibility, improving digital accessibility.
  • Resolved 100+ software defects within SLA, accelerating project delivery timelines.
  • Advised stakeholders on front-end standards, accessibility best practices, and established long-term coding guidelines.

Core Competences

Accessibility Leadership | Inclusive Design Strategy | WCAG 2.2 / 2.1 / 2.0 / Section 508 / EN 301 549 Compliance | Enterprise Training & Enablement | Accessibility Auditing & Remediation | Cross-Functional Team Collaboration | Risk Reduction | Accessibility Program Management | Front-End Development | Digital Strategy

Education

Wright Community College, 1979 – 1981, Music Education