Our 2025 Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) theme is “Committing to Change”. This year’s event is sponsored by the University of Minnesota and co-sponsored by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Illinois Chicago, and the University of Michigan. Below is information about this year’s proposal criteria and detailed information about submitting a proposal.
This is a virtual conference taking place on May 15th, 2025. The audience is primarily the academic community and the conference is aimed at increasing accessibility for students, faculty, and staff in the higher education domain. Complete the GAAD 2025 Speaker Interest Form by January 3, 2025.
Anyone is welcome to submit a proposal for a 30 minute presentation session. Each presentation will receive financial compensation for participating. All sessions will be recorded. If you are passionate about accessibility and would love to engage other like-minded individuals, or if you are a specialist with accessibility experience looking to share specific skills with hands-on experience, consider submitting a proposal!
Some possible topics could include:
- Digital documents and media
- Digital content accessibility
- Web development and design
- Ableism and organizational success
- Disability policy
- Accessible teaching and learning
- Other accessibility related topics!
Proposal Criteria
Proposals will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
- Content. Is it relevant and timely? Does it fit the Committing to Change theme?
- Format. Is the format conducive to adult learning?
- Presenter. Is the presenter knowledgeable and experienced in the proposed content area? Do they have expertise in accessibility or Universal Design?
- Audience. Is the presentation relevant to the higher education domain (faculty, staff, and students)?
Incomplete proposals will result in delay and may lead to rejection. Proposals of a commercial nature that promote or market products and/or services will not be considered.
Event planning is a key strength of GAAD
The event’s strength is bringing participants who are passionate about accessibility and many who are interested in expanding their knowledge in the field. The virtual conference’s primary focus is to help shape expectations for attendees and speakers and ensure success. The potential speaker types include:
- Professional speakers who share expertise and subject-matter passion through unique delivery styles.
- Faculty who share specific Accessibility industry knowledge and information through adult learning experiences.
- Subject-matter experts who share specific industry knowledge and expertise.
- The GAAD conference provides recordings and/or transcriptions of presentations to conference attendees.
GAAD is looking for presenters who think outside the box and will make the most of the experience. Speakers are invited to submit a session proposal using the criteria below. We encourage speakers to make the most of their time by staying for the whole conference, connecting with others and engaging in discussion. The GAAD planning committee is committed to working closely with speakers, so that they not only excel but also create an experience that’s fulfilling and beneficial for all.
Support
If you have any questions about the call for proposals or the selection criteria, please reach out to [email protected], and someone will respond to your email shortly.