September 23-25, 2024 Hyatt Regency, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Access post-conference resources, including presentations available from the breakouts, here!
2024 Speakers
Opening Keynote
Presenter: Clark Rachfal, Paralympian & Champion for Inclusion
With more than 15 years of government affairs and disability rights experience, Clark Rachfal is a recognized leader in disability inclusion and accessibility. Throughout his career, Clark has worked collaboratively with government agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations to advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities.
2024 Breakout Sessions
Breakout 1
Educating/Preparing for Access in a Future We Do Not Know
Presenter: Donna McNear, M.A., COMS, Career Teacher & Independent Educational Consultant, McNear Consulting
This interactive session provides an opportunity to examine, explore, and consider the critical questions and concepts in educating and preparing individuals for a future of learning, living, and working in an evolving and unknown future digital literacy environment.
Using AI to Make Accessible Media More Accessible
Presenter: Wendy Sapp Ph.D., COMS, Senior Project Director and Content Literacy Specialist, Bridge Multimedia
When thoughtfully used, utilitarian and generative AI has the ability to enhance personalization for accessibility in all types of media. This session will present two projects that use AI to offer individualized accessibility options for students accessing multimedia content.
Foundations of Digital Accessibility
Presenters: David Sloan, Chief Accessibility Officer, Vispero Sarah Horton, UX Strategy Lead, Harvard University
Human difference is not innate but constructed. It’s our priorities and the decisions we make that disable people. Under this social model of disability, responsibility for accessibility rests squarely on all of us. We are all designers and builders whose actions shape the lives of others.
Breakout 2
Standing at the Intersection of Inclusion and Innovation: How Partnerships, Collaboration, and Policy Creates Change
Presenters: Zachary Bastian, Sr. Manager for Strategic Alliances, Verizon Dr. Claire Ferrari, Principal Accessible UX Researcher, Verizon Dr. Tom Pey, CEO & Founder, WayMap
Moderator: Tony Stephens, AVP for Communications, AFB
In this panel, we learn what happens when industry and innovators come together in concert with advocates in the field to take access to the next level, backed by smart policy choices supporting the licensed spectrum needed to take accessibility to the next level.
Empowerment Into Technical Careers: Cyber Learning with AT Tools - A Case Study
Presenters: Tish Harris, Pre-Employment Transitions Services and Career Pathways Coordinator, Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VADBVI) Dr. Chuck Gardner, Enterprise-KC Dr. Thomas Trevethan of Palo Alto Networks Felicia Williams, Pre-Employment Transition Specialist, VADBVI
Join us to hear about a proven method of empowerment for individuals with disabilities that provides access to technical skills and prepares them for entry into technical careers, including cybersecurity.
From Practice to Perception: How Blind People Use and Understand Generative AI
Presenter: Maitraye Das, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Art + Design, Northeastern University
The proliferation of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools has brought a critical shift in how people approach information retrieval and content creation in diverse contexts. Yet, we have a limited understanding of how blind people use and make sense of GenAI systems.
Breakout 3
A.I. and A.D. - OK or N/A?
Presenter: Dr. Joel Snyder, President, Audio Description Associates, LLC; Founding Director Emeritus, American Council of the Blind (ACB) Audio Description Project (ADP)
Audio description (AD) ensures that people who are blind or have vision loss enjoy meaningful access to media. Artificial intelligence (AI) promises myriad possibilities for AD production—but are they for good or ill? Or both?
Policy Update: Unpacking Advocacy Issues in 2024
Presenters: Stephanie Enyart, Chief Public Policy and Research Officer, American Foundation for the Blind Sarah Malaier, Senior Advisor, Public Policy & Research, American Foundation for the Blind Jason Eckert, VP & COO, VisionServe Alliance Claire Stanley, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, American Council of the Blind
Explore the key issues on the table for policymakers this year and ways our collective efforts can build momentum for the long haul on top policy issues facing people who are blind or have low vision.
Transforming Accessibility: AI's Impact on Screen Reading Programs, Computer Access, and BLV Software Professionals
Presenters: Ryan Jones, VP for Software Product Management, Vispero Yoonha Cha, Department of Informatics PhD Student, University of California, Irvine (UCI)
In this two-part session, learn 'How AI is Turbocharging Screen Reading Software and Computer Access' and about the 'Promise (and Realities) of Generative AI for Blind and Low-Vision Software Professionals.'
Breakout 4
Toward Accessible and Disability Representative Generative AI
Presenter: Dr. Cynthia Bennet, Senior Research Scientist, Google
Generative AI, including large language models (LLMs) and text-to-image (T2I) models, is rapidly transforming the tools we use every day. This session will discuss making AI-generated media more accessible and representative based on two studies.
Championing Accessibility: Embedding User Experience at the Core of Corporate Culture
Presenters: Mary Liz McNamara and Michelle Witman, Co-Founders, Asset Based Consulting and Seamless Customer Solutions
This workshop emphasizes the strategic importance of UX teams that include disabled members and their impact on enhancing digital and physical accessibility within organizations.
Digital Accessibility Knowledge Among TVIs
Presenter: Dr. Huyentran Vo, TVI, COMS, CVRT, CATIS
The purpose of this presentation is to share the results and recommendations from a national study that explored the critical role and proficiencies of teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs) in acquiring digital accessible instructional materials (AIM).
Breakout 5
How to Compete in the Marketplace When Machines Think for Us
Presenter: William Reuschel, Inclusive Design Practice Lead, Applause App Quality, Inc.
We’ll explore the present landscape of how AI can augment the product development lifecycle and take a speculative look at what may be possible in the near future. How will a product stand out in the crowd? What investments should a company be making now?
Accessibility of Digital Content in the General Education Setting: Perspectives of Students Who are Blind or Have Low Vision
Presenter: Kerry Lueders, MS, COMS, TVI, CLVT, Associate Professor, Salus at Drexel University
This presentation will share preliminary dissertation research findings from a qualitative study that explores the perspectives of students who are blind or have low vision, among other individuals, on the topic of creating accessible digital content, particularly within the general education context.
Defining the Gap: A Breakdown of Research Encompassing Barriers to Access & Inclusion
Presenters: Dr. Arielle Silverman, Director of Research, American Foundation for the Blind Dr. Sarahelizabeth Baguhn, Research Specialist, American Foundation for the Blind Dr. Lynne Koral
