Learn about digital accessibility at JHU

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Published March 31, 2023

Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 18 is a day to get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion. JHU is planning two events in April and two in May to raise awareness across campus about digital accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities.

April Events

April 13, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Informational tables on digital accessibility at Homewood campus outside Levering Hall. April 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Three Zoom webinars on digital accessibility topics

  • 11 a.m.: Accessible Social Media by Zandy Wong '24.
    Topics: how to make accessible social media content on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook so that people with disabilities can access it.

  • Noon: Creating Accessible Word and Powerpoint Documents by Claire Park '26, Brandon Yoo '26, Ethan Wang '24, and Veena Thalmilselvan.
    Topics: How to add alt text, color formatting, making accessible hyperlinks, using the accessibility checker tool in both programs

  • 1 p.m.: Best Practices for Accessible Content Creation by Sara Shunkwiler, Toni Picker, and Katie Springer, WSE Center for Learning Design and Technology.
    Topics: digital accessibility best practices and the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). These best practices focus on content creation in Canvas, Word, and PowerPoint and apply to all users, from students to faculty and staff. Creating content with these practices in mind will help support the needs of your students and peers.

Register for the April 13 webinars in advance.

May Events

May 18, 11 a.m. to noon: For faculty and staff using Canvas and Ally; fix your content day to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
  • Global Accessibility Awareness Day keynote talk: Practical Strategies for Enhancing Digital Accessibility at JHU. The speaker is Prof. Jonathan Lazar, a professor in the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland and the director of the Trace Research and Development Center, who will discuss what JHU faculty, staff, and students can do to promote and practice digital accessibility in their work.

Register for the May 18 webinar in advance.