Wednesday Morning
First-Time Attendees Breakfast
7:15-8:45 am (Breakfast Provided)
Location: Holiday Ballroom, Hilton Hotel
First-time attendees are encouraged to begin your conference week over breakfast with AHEAD leaders and other first-time conference attendees. Please join us there to kick off your first AHEAD conference experience!
Wednesday Lunchtime
12:45-1:45 pm (Bring-Your-Own Lunch)
AHEAD Knowledge and Practice Community Meetings
Knowledge and Practice Communities (KPCs) bring together AHEAD members who share a common interest in a specific subject area. They support the Association by connecting members, sharing information, and developing resources. Meetings are open to anyone interested in attending.
- Visual & Performing Arts Knowledge and Practice Community (KPC), Latrobe (Hilton, Level 1)
- Health Science Knowledge and Practice Community (KPC), Peale A+B+C (Hilton, Level 1)
- Disability Identity Studies and Culture Knowledge and Practice Community (KPC), Ruth (Hilton, Level 1)
Meet Ups
Meet-ups are opportunities for institutions serving similar student populations to come together to get to know one another.
- Tribal/Native American Serving Institutions Meet-Up, Johnson A+B (Hilton, Level 1)
- Asian American/Alaskan/Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANH/AANAPISI) Meet-up, Calloway A+B (Hilton, Level 2)
Vendor Lunch and Learns
Lunch and Learns are an opportunity for attendees to hear from vendors about what their products can offer.
Meet EdPros - Support And Expertise For All Things Disability Resource and Accessibility
Ian Kunkes, CEO – EdPros
Location: Convention Center, Room 340
Learn about EdPros, Higher Ed’s premier partner for disability resource and accessibility support. We provide access to a network of experienced professionals for support with case management/ accommodation determination, leadership, alt formatting/accessible text, AT, trainings, and external reviews. We will also introduce EdPros’ Health Check, a time and cost-effective approach to assessment and benchmarking your office against national standards and peer institutions.
From Unsung to Hero - A Roadmap to Championing UDL Across Campus
Sam Robins, Customer Success Team Manager, Glean
Mais Wilsher, Senior Account Executive, Glean.
Michelle Shaw, Director, ADAC, Florida Atlantic University
Location: Convention Center, Room 336
Across the US, disability professionals are the unsung heroes of inclusion. Yet access isn’t confined to one department. We’ll share exactly how to embed practices across your institution with a tried and tested roadmap for success; including identifying students in need, gathering key stakeholders, and tips for funding and procurement.
Transforming Equity of Experience: A New Approach for the Inclusion and Empowerment of Students and Staff with Disabilities
Dr. Gregory Burke, founder, AccessAble
Michael Barnes, Director of Campus Accessibility, Princeton University
Location: Convention Center, Room 338
Learn about AccessAble’s work globally with 100+ universities transforming Equity of Experience. Hear from AccessAble’s founding partner in the US, Princeton University, where pan-disability Detailed Access Guides empower the campus community with information to plan and access buildings based on their abilities. Developed by, with and for people with disabilities.
Demystifying the Symplicity Accommodate Implementation Process
Charlotte Wilkins, Implementation Manager, Symplicity
Alicia Freeland, Lead Client Manager, Symplicity
Location: Convention Center, Room 337
Have questions about what implementing Symplicity Accommodate looks like? We’ll share our process from building relationships, providing exceptional support and helping clients meet their goals for smoother and beneficial accommodation management for both new clients in initial implementation as well as for current clients looking to enable additional modules/processes.
Navigating Forward in the Wake of the ADAAA Title II Updates and the Removal of the AccessText Network
Heather Jakubczyk, Vice President, Services, GrackleDocs
Ann Knettler, Ed.D., Vice President, Consulting, GrackleDocs
Location: Convention Center, Room 339
As we all navigate the new ADAAA Title II digital accessibility requirements, and their associated tight turn-around deadlines, in addition to the recent removal of the AccessText Network two main areas are often top of mind. First, how can institutions best plan for manageable, sustainable, and equitable digital access? Second, how can we - to the greatest extent possible - manage the demand for accessible PDF files internally without incurring high outsourcing costs. During this session, Dr. Ann Knettler, Vice President of Consulting for GrackleDocs, will provide attendees a high level overview of the foundational elements of digital accessibility planning and Ms. Heather Jakubczyk, Vice President of Services for GrackleDocs, will share an in-depth workshop on point-and-click PDF remediation using state of the art GracklePDF software. In addition to the training, attendees will also receive a free month of GracklePDF to use on their campuses.
Wednesday Evening
Exhibit Hall and President’s Reception, 5:30-7 pm
Location: Key Ballroom Foyer Exhibit Space, Hilton Hotel
The President’s Reception will include a selection of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, hosted soft drinks, and live entertainment, all held in conjunction with the opening of the Exhibit Hall. Come learn from innovative vendors and sponsors, and meet-and greet old friends and new!
Drag Queen Bingo & Trivia Night, hosted by Ambrosia Rosia, 7:00-9:00pm
Co-hosted by the Disability Identity, Studies & Culture (DISC) Knowledge and Practice Community and the LGBTQA Knowledge and Practice Community
Location: Holiday Room, Hilton Hotel
What better way to wind down from a long day of conference sessions than an exciting night of Drag Bingo and Trivia? To celebrate Disability Pride Month (July), dress to impress in the vibrant colors of the Disability Pride flag—red, gold, white, blue, green, and black, or however you choose to express your Disability Pride! Entry and bingo play are free, but your generous tips and donations will benefit local non-profits through the "The AHEAD Giveback" (TAG) campaign. Light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided at no charge, and ASL interpretation and CART captioning will be available. Mark your calendars for a fabulous evening of games and laughter!
There are a limited number of Bingo supplies available (accessible versions for blind/low vision attendees available as well), so those will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Others who do not want to participate in Bingo are welcome to come and enjoy the show! Once room capacity is reached, the doors will be closed to late attendees to ensure everyone's safety.
Feedback Survey
Back to Top