Time: April 10, 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Speakers: Craig Boassaly
Creating truly accessible digital experiences requires more than just passing a validation check; it demands a strategic shift in how we plan, design, and maintain content. This session explores the complete lifecycle of accessible content from web and documents to video, demonstrating why accessibility must start at the planning stage.
Time: April 10, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Speakers: Kathryn Jordan and Michael Harshbarger
Most organizations treat accessibility as a checklist—meeting WCAG requirements for color contrast, alt text, and navigation. But this approach often overlooks a large, underserved group: people with invisible disabilities such as ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. Neurodivergent individuals make up 15–20% of the population, yet their needs are rarely addressed in design systems or accessibility strategies. This session challenges participants to move beyond compliance and toward true inclusion. We’ll explore practical design patterns that support memory, focus, comprehension, and flexible interaction. Attendees will leave with concrete strategies to create digital experiences that welcome neurodivergent users—whether they are designers, developers, content creators, or UX professionals. By reframing accessibility as more than a legal requirement, this talk positions neurodiversity as a driver of innovation, usability, and equity in today’s workplace.
Time: April 9, 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
Speakers: Kathryn Jordan and Michael Harshbarger
Many organizations conduct accessibility audits only to be left asking, “Now what?” Reports often highlight dozens of issues but fail to translate into meaningful improvements. This session reframes audits as a catalyst for organizational change rather than just technical troubleshooting. Aimed at managers, developers, content teams, and accessibility leads, it bridges both technical and leadership perspectives to show how audits can become actionable roadmaps. Participants will explore a clear framework for prioritizing fixes, engaging stakeholders, and building momentum for long-term accessibility goals. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to transform audits into tools that drive accountability, collaboration, and measurable impact—ensuring accessibility efforts don’t stall at awareness, but instead translate into lasting improvements for all users.
Time: April 10, 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Speakers: Michael Harshbarger
Accessibility doesn’t thrive on checklists alone — it thrives when leaders create the conditions for inclusion. This session explores how accessibility leadership can transform organizations beyond compliance. Attendees will learn how to set strategy, influence culture, and support teams in driving sustainable accessibility practices. Through case examples, we’ll examine how leaders can foster accountability, navigate resistance, and secure resources to scale accessibility. Participants will leave with practical leadership techniques for guiding both technical and non-technical teams, ensuring accessibility becomes an embedded value rather than a side project.
Time: April 9, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Speakers: Michael Harshbarger
Artificial intelligence is reshaping accessibility work, from automated testing to faster content checks. But AI alone can’t guarantee inclusion. This session explores the balance between automation and human leadership. Attendees will see how AI can accelerate testing and reporting, where it introduces risk, and when human strengths like empathy and judgment are essential. Live demonstrations and real-world use cases will highlight how teams can pair AI tools with human oversight to save time without sacrificing quality. Attendees will leave with a framework for responsibly integrating AI into accessibility strategies while preserving the human role at the center of inclusion.
Time: April 9, 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Speakers: Jon Gunderson
This session will review the open-source tools developed by the University of Illinois to support web accessibility evaluation, including AInspector for WCAG Evaluation and Headings, Landmarks and Links browser extensions, and the SkipTo.js utility to improve the experience of people with disabilities using Illinois websites. The web inspection tools are designed to support people in learning about web accessibility standards and make it easier to view information for manual inspection of accessibility features. The SkipTo.js utility is the modern way to implement WCAG 4.2.1 Bypass Blocks requirement by analyzing the landmarks and headings of a web page and building a menu for the user to not only navigate to the main content, but also other major sections of the web page identified by the author.
Time: April 10, 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
Speakers: Courtney Fleeger
Neurodiversity brings unique perspectives and needs to digital experiences. This session explores how we can support these users through inclusive design strategies grounded in research. Learn how to apply cognitive-friendly design patterns and create interfaces that reduce friction and foster engagement. Whether you’re new to accessibility or deep in inclusive design, you’ll leave with actionable insights to make your work more empathetic and effective.
Time: April 10, 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Speakers: Meenal Dobariya
Micro-interactions—such as form validation, filter panels, status updates, and feedback messages—play an important role in how users experience digital systems. When designed thoughtfully, they improve clarity and usability; when overlooked, they can create accessibility barriers.
In this session, Meenal Dobariya, a Usability and Accessibility Specialist at the University of Illinois, will share examples of accessible and inaccessible micro-interactions using design prototypes from enterprise university systems. Attendees will learn how small design decisions can significantly affect accessibility and when it is helpful to involve an accessibility specialist in the design process.
Participants will leave with practical tips and a simple checklist they can apply when designing or reviewing digital interfaces.
Time: April 10, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Speakers: Matthew Luken
Design plays a critical role in digital accessibility. This team can help reduce 67% percent of defects & violations. Join us to learn best practices that all designers – UX, UI, Content, UX Researchers, and Graphic Designers – should be implementing to ensure their designs are as accessible as they can be prior to development.
Time: April 10, 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
Speakers: Junaid Majaz
This presentation investigates existing disparities in online education by gaining a deeper understanding of how students interact with virtual spaces and how new tools can be designed to enhance learning experience by understanding the needs of the audience. By identifying these gaps, his research seeks to: Create frameworks that improve the sense of belonging and engagement for all students. Prepare the next generation of teachers to effectively utilize emerging technologies and utilize design and technology to make high-quality education more accessible to a global audience.