The presenter of this session, Dr. Lewis, has been a nationally certified interpreter for the Deaf since 1996, a former nationally certified educator of the deaf for 12 years, and she has experience including Deaf students in her online courses.

Dr. Lewis will provide an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to open a discussion of the ethical and legal responsibilities we have for providing accommodations and ensuring equal access for all people with disabilities. Participants will then be introduced to cultural and linguistic perspectives of the Deaf Community to increase awareness of Deaf Culture and American Sign Language. Participants will engage in small group discussions to identify barriers to access in online learning particular to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. Facilitated by Dr. Lewis, participants will brainstorm and explore practical strategies for optimizing inclusive practices for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in different online delivery models from 100% online asynchronous delivery, to hybrid models and synchronous video conferencing and ITV. Suggestions for leveraging technology and Apps to facilitate equitable access will be shared. Dr. Lewis will also share suggestions for various ways to communicate effectively. The session will conclude with open question and answer time.

Presenter: Dr. Karin Lewis - Assistant Professor, Human Development & School Services
Location: EDBCX Cenizo Room

This presentation will introduce participants to some key considerations in creating accessible online environments while also considering learner variability, including those students with disabilities. Ensuring equitable access for a diverse student population through accessible courses leads to improved student performance.

Presenter: Tonya Paulette - Director, UTRGV Student Accessibility Services
Location: EDBCX Bronc Room

Creating lecture videos with no hassle or specific training? Never been easier – If we use the right approach and technology. Finding the right method is the most difficult task for an instructor with no previous experience of making lecture videos. There are bunches of software tools that will accommodate most of our needs, and we introduce some of them in this workshop.

Participants will be introduce to several free screen capture software. The presenter will highlight important information found within these software tools. After that, participants will explore one of them. Even though this software is web-based, it still is required one-time installation which takes less than a couple of minutes. After the installation, this workshop will guide participants to how to use the software. Participants will complete producing several videos and will leave with a better understanding of how lecture videos, especially screen captured ones, can be made and what they can and can’t do with these software tools.

Participants are required to bring a computer. The software we introduce in this workshop can include webcam input into the video. Participants are also recommended to bring a webcam. If not, a microphone should be enough. The software is free and there will be no fee required. This workshop will provide participants with the chance to share own previous experiences, if any, at the end of the workshop.

Presenter: Dr. Taeil Yi - Professor, Mathematical & Statistical Sciences
Location: EDBCX Cenizo Room

The panel discussion will allow experts and participants a chance to discuss, ask questions and exchange ideas on different aspects of accessibility in online education.

Panelists: Dr. Leticia de Leon, Susan Mills, Tonya Paulette & Raymond Rose.
Location: EDBCX EUCTR Ballroom