Schedule
Times are provided in Central Time.
Session 1: 10:00 to 10:45 a.m.
A1: Humanizing Education through Disability Justice
Dr. Emily Koren, Independent Education Researcher and Evaluator
This presentation will focus on integrating disability justice into our daily lives and fostering cultures of support for individuals with disability, particularly within education. By placing humanity first and calling out ableism in all forms, we can support learners in informal and formal learning contexts. Speaker is a scholar with multiple hidden disabilities.
Watch A1 session recording | Session A1 slides
B1: Creating and Sustaining an Effective Campus-wide Accessible Course Development Program
Jim Stachowiak, Northwestern University
In one year, Northwestern has reduced accessibility errors on Canvas course sites from 8.8 errors per course to 2.1 errors per course across all courses. This presentation will share the approach, partnerships, resources, and tools that produced and sustained this success.
Watch B1 session recording | Session B1 slides
C1: Creating Awareness & Empowering Change: Building a Campus-wide Disability Awareness Program
Erin Metz and Allison Kushner, University of Michigan
This presentation focuses on how to develop and implement a comprehensive disability awareness training program designed to educate a university community on its disability compliance obligations but also foster a culture of disability inclusion and accessibility. This presentation by UM's Disability Equity Office will highlight the key challenges, successes, and impacts of implementing its own disability education and training program. Participants will gain insight into leveraging their available resources to build a training program, including creating a strategic mission and roadmap for implementation, and how to utilize objective data to gain buy-in and enthusiasm for growth from key stakeholders.
Watch C1 session recording | Session C1 slides
Session 2: 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
A2: The Discomfort of Describing Persons in Alt Text
Elizabeth J. Pyatt, Penn State University
This session will review strategies for determining which qualities of a image of person should be described in image alt text. The session will also explore how cultural preconceptions may make this task a challenge, even an uncomfortable one, but an important one for helping users understand the context of what the image conveys.
Watch A2 session recording | Session A2 slides
B2: Build Design Systems So Good (and Accessible) They Can’t Ignore You
Bridget Burke, University of Michigan
At the U-M Library, we believe accessibility is a shared, active responsibility. Many of our colleagues want to create accessible content but aren’t sure where to start. The U-M Library Design System team (est. 2017) provides the foundation for designing and developing accessible websites and digital content.
In this presentation, we share how we formed our design system and how our services and resources support colleagues. We’ll discuss some of the resources we provide, including reusable UI components, Figma UI toolkits, content guidelines, and templates for Google Slides, Google Sites, and Google Docs.
Watch B2 session recording | Session B2 slides
C2: Removing Pebbles Rocks and Boulders: A Proactive Approach to Accessible Instruction
Michelle Witman and Mary Liz McNamara, Asset Based Consulting
In this session, participants will learn practical strategies to identify and remove workplace barriers using the powerful metaphor of "pebbles, rocks and boulders." Through interactive exercises and real-world scenarios, participants will apply Universal Design principles to transform their approach to disability inclusion and accessibility. Using this framework, participants will develop concrete skills to address barriers of all sizes, from minor inconveniences to major obstacles, creating environments where everyone can contribute and thrive.
Watch C2 session recording | Session C2 slides
Keynote: noon to 12:55 p.m.
Dr. Ludmila Praslova, Vanguard University
Non-apparent disabilities are often overlooked —not because they are rare, but because they are misunderstood or dismissed. This session challenges participants to reframe accessibility through the lens of “design from the margin,” exploring how centering the needs of people with chronic pain, energy limitations (e.g. Long Covid). neurominorities, and others dealing with non-apparent differences can help create human-centered inclusion for all. Participants will identify gaps in current accessibility approaches and plan for creating environments that truly work—for everyone.
Watch Keynote session recording | Keynote Handout (PDF)
Session 3: 1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
A3: Navigating Disability Across Cultures
Aubrianna Wilson, Thomas J. Watson Fellowship Alumni
This session brings an international perspective to disability policy, cultural norms, and accommodations. It will cover strategies for supporting students with disabilities preparing to study abroad and international students with disabilities at U.S. colleges. By providing information and resources, the session will expand on the role of staff, faculty, and students in promoting accessibility and inclusion for all students with disabilities in global education.
Watch A3 session recording | Session A3 slides
B3: Shifting Faculty Perspectives on Implementing Accessible Course Design Strategies
Trischa Duke, University of Illinois Chicago
One of the most significant barriers in designing accessible online courses is faculty's compliance-based mindset, providing accommodations when required rather than building courses that are accessible and inclusive from the start. This presentation highlights strategies for shifting this "accommodation" mindset to understanding the importance of accessibility, not only for those requiring it but for all students, and outlines key components of a robust faculty professional development program centered around accessibility practices.
Watch B3 session recording | Session B3 slides
C3: Are You Designing for Students That Don't Exist?
Caitlin Malone, Brian Richwine, and Carrie Hansel from Indiana University
A common belief about accessibility is that it serves a minority, and that the majority – the so-called "average student" - can't benefit from accessible content and systems. This presentation seeks to change the narrative around accessibility to show how it isn't just a common need, but a universal one. Join us as we look at real-world examples from The End of Average, a book about human diversity; break down the myth of the "average" student; and provide examples of an alternative: how accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can support all students regardless of background.
Watch C3 session recording | Session C3 slides
Session 4: 2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
A4: Good News, Everyone! Updates in Math Accessibility
Caitlin Malone, Brian Richwine, Mary Stores, Carrie Hansel, and Rebeka Popek from Indiana University
In the past year, multiple achievements have been made in creating accessible STEM content in Microsoft Word and online. We will discuss improvements in how assistive tech handles MathML and in producing accessible documents (such as HTML and PDFs from LaTeX). Then we will follow up with a specific example of the collaboration between the Assistive Technology and Accessibility Centers and eLearning Design and Services on a Math Onramp course, the challenges faced in making it accessible, and how we overcame those challenges.
Watch A4 session recording | Session A4 slides
B4: A Road Less Traveled: Building and Leading our Roadmap to Compliance
Kelly Auxier, University of Minnesota
When I started my role as Content Strategist for the Office of Human Resources in June 2024, I was immediately tasked with understanding, planning, and implementing our roadmap to meet Title II compliance. I'm here to share my story, with all its pit stops, highlights, and speed bumps along the way. My journey may not be more challenging or unique than others, but I hope my lessons can help make your experience a smoother ride.
Watch B4 session recording | Session B4 slides
C4: From Ideas to Action: Advancing UDL on your Campus
Gabrielle Clark & Jessica Brand, College of the Holy Cross
In this thirty-minute session, participants will explore research-based insights into common barriers to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) adoption in higher education, hear stories of successful efforts to promote UDL implementation, and take part in guided brainstorming exercises. By the end, participants will walk away with a list of actionable items and reflections to support taking practical steps toward advancing UDL adoption in their organizations.