ENHANCING PROGRAMMING AND ACCESS
Regarding Universal Access and Environmental Responsibility
AHEAD and PEPNet both continue to open new doors and set new examples for conference implementation that elevate universal access, environmental responsibility, and unparalleled professional development for those involved in the intersection of disability and higher education.
In 2010, the organizations are continuing to refine enhancements in the design of the conference to move us toward a more strategic, inclusive, and responsible approach to the delivery of outstanding professional information. AHEAD and PEPNet provide opportunities for professional development to those who work to assure usable, sustainable and inclusive higher education environments for students, faculty, and staff with disabilities and who believe society is ultimately enriched by difference.
In response to full access and environmental responsibility, we are maximizing pre-planning efforts and the use of appropriate technological resources in planning for the delivery of program materials in accessible formats.
In lieu of receiving paper handouts on site at the conference, attendees at the 2010 Conference will access handout and presentation support literature in advance, via Internet download beginning no later than two weeks prior to the conference. This will afford attendees the opportunity to access as many different sets of information as they like, in the output format of their choice, well in advance of the conference. All registrants will be provided with easy-to-understand-and-implement instructions for accessing all presentation support materials. Enhancing this practice, materials for the 2010 Conference will be available both in text and PDF formats to attendees in advance.
While providing the tremendous benefit of universal access for each attendee, this approach greatly reduces the burden on presenters and the environment created by providing handout materials for each attendee in each session – many of which end up going unused. As an added bonus, it offers attendees the opportunity to access handout materials from sessions that you’ll not be able to attend.
The 2010 Conference chairs and committees along with the AHEAD and PEPNet boards & staff are committed to consistently improving the experiences of conference attendees, and look forward to seeing you in Denver this summer!
