2025 Session Descriptions
Breakout Sessions
Session 1 | 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
John Dolibois Rooms A and C
Become a Better Ally (User)!
Laura Fathauer, Senior Web Accessibility Specialist, AccessMU Center
Kit Kirby, Manager of Technical Support and Training, Miami Online
Unlock the full potential of your Canvas course with Ally, a powerful accessibility tool! Discover how to transform PDFs into universally accessible formats (with some caveats) and gain crucial insights into your course's overall accessibility. This dynamic session will equip you with the skills to effectively use the Ally Accessibility Report, identify and resolve accessibility issues, and navigate the nuances of converting PDFs. We'll also explore what students experience in Canvas and reveal best practices for efficient and accessible workflows. Elevate your course design and ensure an inclusive learning environment for all!
Building Accessible Futures: Centering Disability Justice in Higher Education: Accessibility Considerations for Events and Classrooms
ElizaMarie Quinn-Alger, Accessible Technology Coordinator, AccessMU Center
Hope Sweeney, Access Coordinator, Miller Center for Student Disability Services
How can colleges and universities move beyond compliance to create truly inclusive and equitable environments for disabled students, staff, and faculty? This session introduces a framework for accessibility that centers disability justice, recognizes intersecting identities, and fosters a culture of belonging across campus. Drawing from professional experience in clinical counseling, disability housing and services, and educational leadership, this presentation highlights both systemic challenges and actionable strategies for meaningful change. Attendees will leave with concrete strategies to advance accessibility in their own roles—whether as faculty, staff, or students—and a vision of how higher education can transform into a space where disabled people thrive.
Session 2 | 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
John Dolibois Rooms A and C
Accessibility Tools in the Age of AI
Laura Fathauer, Senior Web Accessibility Specialist, AccessMU Center
Jessica Rea, Director of Web Marketing
This session will explore a comprehensive set of tools for creating more accessible and inclusive digital content. We'll cover practical applications for a variety of content, including readability, alt text, and AI-powered captioning and transcription services.
We'll also examine the role of AI as an assistive technology, looking at real-world examples like BeMyEyes and SeeingAI, and discussing the capabilities of new features like Zoom Meeting Summaries. The session will address the limitations and risks of automated fixes and accessibility overlays, emphasizing the importance of integrated solutions and human-centered design.
A hands-on activity will provide an opportunity to apply these tools and concepts, allowing you to walk away with a clearer understanding of how to build accessibility into your content creation workflow.
Practical PDF Remediation with PREP
Kit Kirby, Manager of Technical Support and Training, Miami Online
Karen O’Hara, Digital Accessibility Specialist, AccessMU Center
Join us for a deep dive into PDF accessibility using the PREP document remediation tool. This session demystifies the process, starting with the basics of PDF structure and the critical role of tagging. We will equip you with practical skills for correctly handling all the essential elements: metadata, headings, images, lists, links, and tables. You'll leave with concrete strategies for tackling common problem documents, ensuring your digital communications are truly accessible to everyone in our community.
Lunch | 12:15
Heritage Room
Afternoon Training Sessions | 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
John Dolibois Rooms A and C
Please be sure to bring a laptop to aid in these hands-on sessions.
Adult ADHD in Focus: Tools and Insights for a Balanced Life
Annastashia Blesi, Assistant Director, The Miller Center for Student Disability Services
Adult ADHD can affect more than focus – it influences relationships, productivity, and overall well-being. This interactive session explores the lived impacts of ADHD in adulthood and offers evidence-based tools to improve daily functioning. Participants will gain insights into how ADHD shapes communication, work habits, and emotional regulation, while learning strategies to foster stronger relationships, build supportive routines, and reduce common challenges. Whether you live with ADHD, work alongside those who do, or support individuals in personal or professional contexts, this session will provide practical approaches to promote understanding, resilience, and balance in everyday life.
Designing Accessible Documents with Google and Grackle
Kit Kirby, Manager of Technical Support and Training, Miami Online
Karen O’Hara, Digital Accessibility Specialist, AccessMU Center
Ready to stop talking about accessibility and start doing it? Roll up your sleeves and bring a computer for this interactive, two-hour lab where you'll build a fully accessible report from the ground up.
Work alongside us in Google Docs as we tackle accessibility challenges, including complex diagrams, flowcharts, tables, and images. Using the GrackleDocs checker, you'll gain the practical skills and confidence to create documents that are accessible from the start. You'll leave with both a new skillset and an easy, repeatable process for future projects.
