Spring 2020 Webinars

Identifying and Removing Barriers to Access: Using a Framework to Guide Considerations of Complex Requests

Thursday, February 13, 3:00-4:30 EASTERN 
Jamie Axelrod, M.S., Northern Arizona University
Adam Meyer, Ed.D., University of Central Florida

When complex requests, such as extending deadlines for assignments, are presented to us, it can be difficult to know how to assess their reasonableness. Much time can be spent analyzing how to proceed. In the end, how do we know if the accommodation would actually address a barrier and provide access? In this webinar, we will explore this question and propose a framework for considering challenging requests. We will model the proposed framework through the example of extended time for deadlines to provide a concrete example of its use. While the framework is not meant to be a checklist that would turn complex requests into routine decisions, having a structured approach to considering requests can increase confidence in decision-making.

Strategic Outreach: Spreading Accessibility throughout Campus

Tuesday, February 18, 3:00-4:00 EASTERN
Dawn Hunziker, M.A., University of Arizona
Barbie Lopez, University of Arizona

Disability resource personnel are committed to designing campuses that are fully accessible. From our offices, often seen primarily as student services, how do we ensure equitable experiences for everyone across the campus? Participants will learn to identify opportunities for engagement and strategies for achieving routine inclusion in campus projects related to digital accessibility, with a minimum of technical expertise. The University of Arizona’s current DRC staff structure and our involvement with procurement, IT initiatives, campus-wide and individual department outreach and collaborative presentations/workshops will be demonstrated as use-case examples to take back to your institution.

Accessibility Requirements in Internships and Externships

Thursday, March 5, 3:00-4:30 EASTERN Time
William D. Goren, Esq., of William D. Goren, J.D., LL.M. LLC
Liz Brown, M.S.S.W., Abilene Christian University

Many academic programs, especially at the graduate level, include internship and externship requirements. Colleges and universities have a clear obligation to ensure access to those academic experiences for students with disabilities, but the process of identifying what is reasonable and the need to involve so many more players can complicate achieving it. Join us for a refresher on your institution’s obligation, a review of pertinent cases, and a summary of implications for your work with students, faculty, and site supervisors.

Expanding Accessible / Assistive Technology (AT) Options at Your Institution

Tuesday, March 10, 3:00-4:00 EASTERN
Brad Held, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Simon Bloor, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Have you identified what is stopping your campus from growing an accessible/assistive technology (AT) program? The barrier might be an overdependence on accommodations or budget limitations. Our presenters will help you address and conquer those barriers and identify other challenges that may be at play. We will share best practices and strategic opportunities that will support your campus in expanding AT acquisition and use by everyone at your institution.

A Disabled American in Paris. Or Was It Nairobi? Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities who Study Abroad

Thursday, April 2, 3:00-4:30 EASTERN
Justin Harford, M.A., Mobility International USA
Monica Malhotra, M.A., Mobility International USA

Sooner or later, your students will want to study or intern abroad through one of your college's many international exchange offerings. While the law technically doesn't require you to provide reasonable accommodations outside of U.S. soil, that doesn't mean that you should not go for extra credit. It is possible and affordable to make study abroad experiences accessible for students with disabilities abroad with preparation. In this webinar, staff from MIUSA's National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange will equip you with the tools to be an advocate for access to all of your institution's programs by understanding the legal nuances and acting as the campus go-to expert on all things disability and exchange.

Methods and Strategies for Implementing Assistive Technology with Students

Tuesday, April 7, 3:00-4:00 EASTERN
Rachel Kruzel, ATP, University of St. Thomas in St. Paul

With the plethora of assistive technology tools on the market today and the fact that each student is unique, finding the most effective assistive technology can be challenging. However, it is also the essential part of using technology to achieve access. Finding a tool that best fits a student can lead to increased student use and better support for students both in and outside of the classroom. Through discussion of the assistive technology implementation process, as well as methods and strategies, participants will learn effective means of assistive technology tool discovery, integration, and follow-up.

The Legal Year in Review

Thursday, April 23, 3:00-4:30 EASTERN
Paul Grossman, J.D., Hastings College of Law

A tradition begun just last year, AHEAD is excited to host its second Legal Year webinar with Paul Grossman, retired OCR Chief Regional Attorney, again this spring. Bringing his extensive knowledge, unique perspective, and ability to present legal concepts in easily understandable terms, Paul will highlight current and upcoming issues that inform higher education disability services, including judicial decisions and settlements concerning self-injurious students, alternative media production, website access, and campus transit. He will also share insights concerning ESAs on campus. This update of key illustrative sources that will impact your mission, your college, and the students and stakeholders you serve is not to be missed.

Assistive Technology for Students with Mental Health Conditions

Tuesday, April 28, 3:00-4:00 EASTERN
Michelle Mullen, M.S., University of Massachusetts Medical School

Students with mental health conditions face unique challenges which may require support through skill-building, resource acquisition, accommodations and assistive technology. Assistive technology (AT) is any device, software, or equipment that supports a student to work with specific barriers. Schools are more adept at offering AT to students with disabilities in recent years but may find supporting students with mental health conditions challenging. AT and other accommodations may not be advertised to students with mental health conditions due to a lack of perceived legitimacy of functional implications associated with psychiatric conditions in higher education. In addition, students with mental health conditions may not believe that they deserve to receive or use AT. This webinar will explore the potential functional implications of mental health conditions in the post-secondary learning environment and detail the assistive technologies that can support student persistence and success.

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Registration & Costs

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Contact AHEAD at ahead@ahead.org or 704.947.7779 with any registration questions

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Speaker Bios

Jamie Axelrod, M.S. is the Director of Disability Resources at Northern Arizona University and Past President of AHEAD. Jamie presents regularly on topics related to disability access and higher education, having expertise in disability law and policy, communication and information technology (ICT) access, and the reasonable accommodation process. Jamie is a respected contributor to professional listservs, having received the Fink-Ryan Award for the quality of his guidance, and a go-to consultant for complex issues. He has worked for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s athletic department, as a mental health therapist, and for Protection and Advocacy Systems, Inc., a disability rights advocacy law firm where he served as an advocate for individuals with disabilities who were claiming that their civil rights had been violated. Jamie has served as co-chair of Northern Arizona University’s Commission on Disability Access and Design and on AHEAD’s Board of Directors.

Liz Brown, M.S.S.W. serves as the ADA Compliance Officer at Abilene Christian University and Executive Director of University Access Programs, which includes disability services, accommodated and university testing, tutoring, supplemental instruction, ESL and international student services. She is a licensed master social worker in Texas and received her MSSW and BA in Religious Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Liz practiced social work in Austin for 10 years in homelessness, mental health, and HIV services before entering higher education in 2016.

William D. Goren, J.D. has 29 years of experience dealing with the ADA as an Attorney. His practice, http://www.williamgoren.com/blog/about-william-goren/ and his blog, Understanding the ADA, focus on understanding what it means to comply with the ADA. In particular, William provides consulting, counseling, representation, and training services involving compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and related laws. He is also a trained mediator and a FINRA arbitrator. Finally, he is the author of Understanding the ADA, now in its 4th edition (ABA 2013), and numerous other articles on the rights of persons with disabilities. William trained his miniature poodle to be a hearing dog while he practices virtually.

Paul Grossman, J.D. served as a civil rights attorney for the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), serving as its Chief Regional Attorney in San Francisco for 30 years. He is currently an Adjunct Professor of Disability Law at Hasting College of Law, University of California, and a member of the AHEAD Board of Directors, the Public Policy Committee of the Association for Children and Adults with AD/HD (CHADD), and the Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) Expert Advisory Board. Dr. Grossman has worked on every type of education discrimination and investigated, written decisions, and settled hundreds of disability discrimination cases, often developing new approaches to protecting students with disabilities. He is the coauthor of The Law of Disability Discrimination (8th Edition) and its companion publication, Law of Disability Discrimination Handbook: Statues and Regulatory Guidance.

Brad Held serves as the Head of Digital Accessibility at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. He oversees campus implementation of a strong accessibility initiative and works to raise awareness on accessibility to stakeholders across campus. Brad has extensive experience with Section 504/508 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disability Act compliance, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and accessibility program development and implementation. He has certification in Assistive Technology (AT) Applications and is a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies. Brad has worked in the K-12 system, at The University of Central Florida, and at The University of Georgia. He has a learning disability and uses his personal experience to aid campus partners in understanding the importance of creating content that is usable for everyone.

Dawn Hunziker, M.S. is the IT Accessibility Consultant for the University of Arizona’s Disability Resources. She co-coordinates the UA's IT Accessibility Program to support the UA’s commitment to full accessibility of electronic and information technology employed on campus. Dawn works with campus units and committees, program managers, content developers, faculty, and staff to provide input and proactive accessibility solutions. Dawn also coordinates the assistive technology availability on campus, supports alternate format production (documents and media), and collaborates on faculty development, accessible course, and Web design initiatives. She currently serves as President of the ATHEN Executive Committee. Dawn has presented at local, state, and national conferences on PDF/web accessibility, captioning processes, and inclusive curricular design.

Rachel Kruzel, ATP, is the Accommodations and Assistive Technology Specialist at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota and is a RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). Rachel’s work focuses on Assistive Technology, Digital and Electronic Accessibility, and accommodation provision in a variety of areas including testing, notetaking, and alternative format course materials. She is also an independent consultant for colleges and universities, professional organizations, and companies, as well as students, parents, and assistive technology users. She regularly presents locally, regionally, and nationally on these topics, as well as provides expertise to students, families, and teachers on a successful transition to higher education. Rachel has been involved with AHEAD for almost ten years in a variety of capacities including Local Conference Chair (St. Paul, MN – 2015) and has helped to shape the technology track of the AHEAD 2019 conference in Boston. She is also a Past-President of Minnesota AHEAD.

Barbara Lopez is the Digital Accessibility Consultant for the Disability Resource Center, IT Accessibility Team at the University of Arizona. She collaborates across campus to resolve technological access barriers in the curricular, information and employment environments. Barbie consults with University personnel, including DRC staff, in researching, identifying, recommending, and implementing technical solutions to student and employee access barriers; problem-solving technological issues and compatibility concerns in implementing accommodations. She regularly presents on accessible design to a variety of groups.

Monica Malhotra, M.A. is a Project Manager with the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange at Mobility International USA, which aims to increase participation of people with disabilities in inclusive international exchange programs. Previously, Monica worked for 10 years at The University of Texas at Austin, where she assisted with admission, immigration, disability support, student counseling, and sponsored student programs as the Senior International Student Coordinator for ESL Services and as International Student Advisor at the International Office. Monica has served on the board for the Multicultural Refugee Coalition and interning with the EastWest Institute in New York. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Exeter, UK.

Adam Meyer, Ph.D. is the current Executive Director of the Student Accessibility Services office and of Inclusive Education Services at the University of Central Florida with past disability office experience at Eastern Michigan University and Saint Louis University. Adam is currently on the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) Board of Directors and has presented at the past seven AHEAD conferences on documentation, social model of disability and office implementation, initial student interviews, office data and budget basics as well as on leadership strategies for disability professionals. He worked in the intellectual disability field for nearly 10 years prior to working in higher education.