Keynote speaker Rob Ziegler, is from IHI Environmental. Our past manager Hillary Hart received a Distinguished SIG Service Award.

We had a table at the welcome reception, 7:30 - 9:30 PM

Download Conference materials from the STC website.

Monday

Envisioning Science: Felice Frankel

Show It! Clearly, Concisely, and Customized: Beth Lisberg Najberg 

International Technical Communication SIG Progression: Moderator: Leanne Logan 

Plain Language Works! Creating Clear Government Documents: Janice Redish, Dana Botka, Janet Shimabukuro, Sandi Stewart

The Art of Friendly Persuasion: Suzanna Laurent

Consulting and Independent Contracting SIG Progression:Linda Gallagher

Understanding Visual Communication: Jean-luc Doumont

Usability and Government: Serving the Needs of Citizens: Suzanne Boyd, Emma Rose

Getting Your Hands Dirty: Jang Graat

ES&H Social: Take a ferry ride with us and enjoy dinner and a stunning view of Seattle

Tuesday

Facilitation That Works!: Karen Baranich, Cynthia Currie

Communicating Risk: Overcoming Apathy, Denial, and Other Barriers  

(TE 5L) Kathy Hall, Kris Freeman, Lisa Younglove, Connie Stewart

Designing Government Web Sites:; Mark de Jong, Leo Lentz, Menno de Jong, Beth Martin

Section 508 for Dummies Redux: Rick Ells, University of Washington,   Richard Herring,  Caroline Jarrett, Prashant Natarajan, Sushil Oswal

Creating Goal-oriented, Task-based Navigation for Information with the Darwin Information Typing Architecture: Michael Priestley, Amber Swope

Developing Technical Graphics: A Hands-on Workshop: Heidi Mirka

Aging Eyes Meet Shrinking Screens: Nova Berkshires

Managing Content Tone for Diverse Audiences: Anne Taussig, Ann Becherer

ES&H Networking Luncheon

Careers in Environmental Technical Communication: Gary Sternberg, Diana Barkley, Kathy Hall, Thomas Wilk, Bonnie Yelverton

Highlighting Hazards: Mastering Warnings and Error Messages: Leah Guren

The Three Laws of Communication: Jean-luc Doumont

Wednesday

How Web Sites Work for Older Users: A Study of 50 Sites: Janice Redish, ReDana Chisnell, Amy Lee

Working to 508: Hands-on Techie Tips!: Mike Murray, Gloria Reece

Making Federal Web Applications Usable, Useful, and Accessible: Janice Nall, Shawn Tafoya, Mark Tolson, Cari Wolfson

Broaden Your Niche: Alternatives to Writing Documentation:Makarand M. Pandit, Donald Samson, Jr., Daniel Wise

Designing Information for Online Reading: Jennifer Bowie, David Farkas, Robert Krull, Michael Sharp

Creating Accessible Documents: Richard Herring, Sushil K. Oswal, Gloria Reece

Writers and Editors Face Off: Karen Steele, Judith Glick-Smith, Hillary Hart, George F. Hayhoe

51st Annual Conference, May 9-12, 2004, Baltimore

Environmental Safety & Health SIG Business Meeting Wednesday, May 12, 7:00 – 8:00 AM

Download Conference materials from the STC website.

Sessions related to ES&H

The Future of the Web: Reaching "Any User"

Many Web sites now are created to reach previously underserved communities, such as older adults, young people, people with disabilities, and those with lower literacy levels. This panel of experts discusses writing and designing for this broad audience and what this approach means for the future of the Web (panel discussion).
Moderator:
Whitney Quesenbery, Whitney Interactive Design
Speakers:
Steve Krug, Advanced Common Sense
Whitney Quesenbery, Whitney Interactive Design
Janice C. Redish, Redish & Associates
Karen A. Schriver, KSA, Document Design & Research

How Blind and Low-vision Users Work with Web Sites

How do people who use special tools work with Web sites? Hear the results of a fascinating
study, see video clips, and get practical guidelines for making Web sites both accessible and usable (demonstration).
Leaders:
Janice C. Redish, Redish & Associates
Mary F. Theofanos, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Successes and Failures in Risk Communication

Learn about science writing and risk communication techniques used in situations such as
aircraft accident investigations and the Columbia and Challenger disasters (paper).
Moderator:
Carolyn Boiarsky, Purdue University Calumet
Speakers:
Carolyn Boiarsky, Purdue University Calumet
Third Paragraph Syndrome: A Comparison Between the Columbia and Challenger Disasters
Anton J. Holland, NIVA Inc.
Eureka! The Relationship of Good Science Writing to Risk Communication
John H. Thurston, NIVA Inc.
Writing in the Presence of Disaster: Case Study of an Aviation Investigation Report

Topics in Policies and Procedures

Varying topics of special interest to writers and editors of policies and procedures (progression).
Moderator:
Dawnell K. Claessen, Science Applications International Corporation
Speakers:
Julie Biel, Schwab
Content Management for Policies and Procedures
Dawnell K. Claessen, Science Applications International Corporation
Policy and Procedures: Together or Separate?
Conni Evans, Ancon Group, LLC
The Tech Writer's Role in Information Security Policy and Procedures
Edward D.J. Frost, Ringwood Software Inc.
Documentation Lifecycle Management Systems
Harold B. Gill, Zen Technology, Inc.
Capability Maturity Model Management Software--Process Max Requirements
David J. Harrity
Writing Policies and Procedures for Compliance
Cheryl Hultquist
Document Control Basics
Jean E. Ritala, Little Six Inc. Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
Make It Easy--Buy-in is Likely
Raymond E. Urgo, Urgo & Associates
Assessing Your Career in Policies and Procedures Communication
Susan Wolford, Chase Home Finance
Who's the Writer Here: SMEs v. the Professionals
Nicole Y. Wycislo, Verb Consulting, Inc.
Adapting your Policies and Procedures for Online Availability

Changing Careers in Technical Communication

Technical communicators can choose from many careers within the field. This progression
describes the skills you need to change to a new career and answers your questions about the similarities and differences of that career to the one you're in now (progression).
Moderator:
Mary R. Wise, Fannie Mae
Speakers:
Karen L. Bachmann, Seascape Consulting
Configuration Management
Phylise H. Banner
Information Design
Michele Davis Berkes, Northwestern Mutual
Web Communication
M. Katherine Brown, Comgenesis LLC
Science Writing
Mark Hanigan
Training
John V. Hedtke
Writing Technical Books
Lori M. Lathrop, Lathrop Media Services Company
Indexing

Three Ways to Improve Web Sites: Better Link Wording, Understanding Diverse Audiences, and Changeable Text Size

We hear lots of advice about our Web sites, such as "understand your audience," "use
meaningful links," and "allow users to vary text size." Come to this session to hear about the practical implications of trying to comply with these guidelines (paper).
Moderator:
Jan H. Spyridakis, University of Washington
Speakers:
Jen Barrick
The Effect of Informative, Intriguing, and Generic Hyperlink Wording on Web Browsing Behavior
Matt Eliot
The Effect of Informative, Intriguing, and Generic Hyperlink Wording on Web Browsing Behavior
Mary B. Evans, UW Department of Technical Communication
The Effect of Informative, Intriguing, and Generic Hyperlink Wording on Web Browsing Behavior
Colleen P. Jones, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Assessing Needs of Diverse Users to Guide Web Design and Content Development
Phil Oye, Moment Design, Inc.
Accessibility or Design Integrity
John Payne, Moment Design, Inc.
Accessibility or Design Integrity
Susan Robinson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Assessing Needs of Diverse Users to Guide Web Design and Content Development
Jan H. Spyridakis, University of Washington
The Effects of Link Wording on Browsing Behavior: Exploring Intriguingness and Information
Carolyn Y. Wei
The Effect of Informative, Intriguing, and Generic Hyperlink Wording on Web Browsing Behavior

Developing Reusable Life Sciences Content

With the tremendous pressures in the life sciences industry, developing reusable content is being viewed as "today's best practice." This session will explore the unique single-sourcing
requirements of the life sciences industry (Panel Discussion).
Moderator:
Ann Rockley, The Rockley Group Inc.
Speakers:
Steve Manning, The Rockley Group
Ann Rockley, The Rockley Group Inc.

Life Cycle Management of Policies and Procedures

Explore challenges faced by technical communicators who participate in the life cycle of policies and procedures (Panel Discussion).
Moderator:
Nicole Y. Wycislo, Verb Consulting, Inc.
Speakers:
Julie Biel, Schwab
Dawnell K. Claessen, Science Applications International Corporation
Harold B. Gill, Zen Technology, Inc.
Katherine J. Vivirito, Brookhaven National Laboratory

Implementing Content Management

Learn about the issues and problems other groups have encountered as they implemented
content management systems (paper).
Moderator:
Colleen P. Jones, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Speakers:
Colleen P. Jones, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Case Study: Implementing a Content Management System
Erin J. Martin, Write on the Edge
Content Management from the Trenches
Jane Mitchko, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Case Study: Implementing a Content Management System
Marc Overcash, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Case Study: Implementing a Content Management System
April D. Risner
Content Management from the Trenches

Using Humor to Defuse Volatile Situations

Explore the creative use of humor as a de-stressor while also addressing the risks involved in this strategy. Learn how to apply three techniques--metaphor, psychology, and incongruity--to real-world scenarios (workshop).
Leaders:
Daniel W. Voss, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control-Orlando