Accessibility Matters: The What, Why & How
Date
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Time
8:00AM –
9:00AM PT
Location
CoSN 2025
Seattle, WA
Presenters
Michelle Soriano, CAST
Audience
Conference attendees
Description
In this session, participants will explore the similarities and differences between accessible educational materials (AEM), accessible technologies (AT), and assistive technologies. The goal is to clarify how these elements work together to support students who need accessible materials and technology in the classroom. The session will emphasize that accessibility is not just a supplementary feature but a fundamental aspect of design.
Participants will learn about the benefits of designing for accessibility, the common challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, and the best practices and tools for ensuring that materials are accessible to all. The session will include practical exercises in testing and reviewing materials for accessibility. By the end, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of how AEM, AT, and assistive technologies integrate and will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to design inclusive and effective educational materials from the start.
Key Take Aways:
- Identify what AEM, AT, and accessible technology are and identify the common barriers and challenges that people with disabilities face when accessing materials and how to avoid or overcome them.
- Observe 2 different examples of how AEM, AT, and accessible technology work together and understand the concept and importance of accessibility in design and how it relates to assistive technologies.
- Discuss one or more ways AEM, AT, and accessible technology are being utilized in their current environment and learn and apply the best practices and tools for creating accessible materials, such as using appropriate fonts, colors, contrast, headings, alt text, captions, etc.