Content Accessibility Symposium

Region 10 ESC is hosting a Content Accessibility Symposium for content creators, web editors, instructional designers, communications staff, textbook and equipment purchasers, and public school administrators -- basically anyone who creates, edits, or posts online content. If you or your staff are not making online content accessible to screen reader users and those with auditory, cognitive & motor disabilities, then your content could receive a complaint - or worse, a lawsuit - because it is not compliant with several important laws. Even worse, your content is not usable by everyone who needs it. This session will provide an introduction to digital accessibility, covering the relevant concepts & laws, plus the impact of non-compliance. Significant strides in technology platforms and tools have improved accessibility in education. However, challenges still remain, such as platforms that don't fully support screen readers, video content without captions, or devices that are not easily adaptable to all students' needs. To address these challenges, we'll share practical solutions that school districts can implement to address accessibility. You'll learn why it's essential to select products that work together and for all users. Accessibility should be at the core of your design & selection process, not an afterthought. As educators, it's our responsibility to embrace accessibility and ensure that the digital experiences we create are effective for all students. Includes a special guest speaker, Jack Hickman, and 2 hands-on training segments.