AccessAbility Summit
AccessAbility Summit 2023: Recipe for Success
Join The University of Texas at Dallas AccessAbility Resource Center (ARC) for our 2023 AccessAbility Summit: A Recipe for Success.
The ARC will share the key ingredients for students with disabilities to consider when transitioning from secondary to post-secondary education. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy breakout session presentations, a keynote speaker and take home our delightful recipes for student success!
Event at a Glance
What: AccessAbility Summit 2023: Recipe for Success for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities
When: Thursday, November 2, 2023 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: UT Dallas, Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center
Food: Light Breakfast and Lunch Provided
Registration: Registration for the 2023 AccessAbility Summit has closed.
Cost: Free!
Registration
Registration for the 2023 AccessAbility Summit has closed and tickets are no longer available, however a limited number of tickets may become available if we have cancelations. Email studentaccess@utdallas.edu to find out if any cancelations occurred, these tickets cannot be reserved and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis if available.
Keynote Speaker
Debbie Fink
Debbie Fink (she, her) is the Vice President of Education and Inclusion at the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, overseeing its flagship “Just Say Hi” program. She has been working in the fields of disability inclusion, education, and public health for two decades. Debbie collaborates with an array of stakeholders to create, implement, assess, and scale multimodal educational programs, trainings, and summits to audiences both in-person and virtual (reaching ~45K+ during the pandemic).
Debbie’s experience includes managing the creation of a virtual education resource guide to support students with disabilities during COVID-19; touring globally as guest educator/performer with the USO, promoting literacy and socio-emotional well-being for students in Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools; collaborating with former first lady Michelle Obama’s Joining Forces team on behalf of military-connected children and families; co-developing curricula with Teachers of the Year and co-authoring children’s books; working with schools in multiple school systems; and globally impacting over 500K beneficiaries – students, educators, and parents – through a children’s publishing and programming company which she founded.
Most recently, Debbie developed and implemented empowerment trainings for girls and women with disabilities, and launched RespectAbility’s National Disability Speakers Bureau. With a Master’s Degree combining Education, Psychology, and Public Administration, Debbie is deeply committed to social impact, cultivating an inclusive society for children and adults of all abilities.
Agenda
Just like a well-crafted recipe, our agenda is thoughtfully curated, combining the essential elements for a successful and inclusive event.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 9 a.m. | Check In & Breakfast |
| 9:30 a.m. | Introduction |
| 9:45 a.m. | Break Out Session 1 |
| 10:30 a.m. | Keynote Speaker |
| 11:30 a.m. | Lunch |
| 12:30 p.m. | Student Panel Discussion |
| 1 p.m. | Break Out Session 2 |
| 1:45 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
Break Out Session Presenters
Morning Breakouts 9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Making the Omelet without Cracking Too Many Eggs, Test Taking Accommodations
Ron Venable, M.A. Associate Director UTD AccessAbility Resource Center (ARC)
The recipe for accommodating test takers with disabilities can seem a bit complicated since there are so many ingredients at UTD. The ARC, the Testing Center, Universal Design, the ADA, preferences of professors and students all go into the mix. This session will help you measure up the right amounts of each to provide equal access for all students.
Student Counseling Center (SCC) Services and Strategies for Supporting Student Mental Health
Erin Schrader, Ph.D. Asst. Director, UTD Student Counseling Center
This breakout session will focus on frequent stressors experienced by students, common signs/symptoms of distress, and tips and coping strategies to support student mental health. There will also be an overview provided of current Student Counseling Center resources and services.
Inclusion Means Everyone: Designing your Course for Universal Access and Equitable Inclusion
Karen Huxtable-Jester, Ph.D., Associate Provost and Director, Center for Teaching and Learning
Students and employees have the right to access their classrooms and workplaces, but providing access is only a first step in creating truly inclusive and equitable environments. We can use principles of Universal Design to proactively design course instruction, materials, and content so that all students are able to access learning. This reduces the need for reactive retrofitting or special accommodations, saving faculty time and effort. The concepts behind Universal Design encourage instructors to create flexibility and choice in their courses so that unintended barriers to learning can be avoided or diminished. Such flexibility makes it possible to maintain high academic standards for all students. Our goal is to promote joyful inclusion and rejection of ableist practices.
Afternoon Breakouts 1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Dogs, Horses, and Snakes, Oh My!
Andrea Scofield, J.D., UTD EOAA Manager and Deputy ADA Coordinator
The use of assistance animals is covered by a host of laws that can apply differently in different circumstances, and this can create a tricky landscape to navigate. Questions about service animals and assistance animals are coming up more and more, and it can be confusing to know what an assistance animal does, what kinds of animals are permitted, where they are allowed, and what you can say (or not say). In this presentation, we will add clarity to this complex area and provide resources for when questions arise.
Inclusive Technology in Microsoft 365
Amanda Pritchard, UTD Emerging Technology Support Manager
Technology can empower people to achieve more, strengthen education opportunities, and make our workplace more inviting and inclusive for everyone. With more than one billion people with disabilities in the world, accessibility and inclusion are essential to empower every person and every organization to achieve more. This session will show you how to create content with Microsoft 365 in a way that enables greater accessibility. We will delve into tools built into Microsoft apps and the MS Windows Ease of Access Center to simplify developing accessible content.
Stay chill and get the scoop! The sweet details students need when requesting accommodations in college
Adina Malamut, Suzon Schroeder, M.A., Ashley Teamor, M.Ed., UTD ARC Specialists
Transitioning to college can be a new experience for students graduating from high school, especially when requesting accommodations. We will give you the inside scoop on what to expect when completing the accommodation process for academics, housing, and on-campus employment!
FAQs
Where is the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center located on campus?
The Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center is located north of the Naveen Jindal School of Management between the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building and Parking Structure 1 at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Will food be served at this event?
Yes, a light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please contact the AccessAbility Resource Center for additional dietary requests.
What are the parking options for this event?
There is a parking garage (Parking Structure 1) located directly across from the building with accessible parking available.
Will there be an ASL interpreter and captioning services?
Yes, an ASL interpreter and captioning services will be present at this event.
Accommodations
UTD strives to create inclusive and accessible events in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you are requesting an accommodation to fully participate in this event, please contact the event coordinator at least 10 business days prior to the event. If you have any additional questions, please email ADACoordinator@utdallas.edu and the AccessAbility Resource Center at accessability@utdallas.edu.
