Call for Proposals

Share your challenges and successes, your methods, and your skills in creating accessible digital content with the higher ed community!

We're looking for speakers to talk about their experiences and knowledge in creating accessible online courses, digital content, and websites and apps. Beginner to expert-level sessions are needed.

Here are the tracks for this year's conference, but anything goes if it helps elevate the needs of those with disabilities and in addressing accessible spaces.

Accessibility in Academic Environments
Technical Skills for Developers
Technical Skills for Instructional Designers and Faculty
Culture: Fostering disability pride and disability cultural intelligence in the workplace

Submit a Proposal

Deadlines

Proposals are due September 20, 2024. Date extended!
Questions? Email the Conference Committee .

Presentation details

There are two session lengths:
- For 55-minute sessions, please allow for 10-15 minutes of Q&A at the end of the session.
- For 25-minute sessions, please allow for 5 minutes of Q&A at the end of the session.
You may give your presentation online via Zoom or in-person on the Tempe campus in the MU.
Attendees will attend your session both in-person and online via Zoom.
A pre-conference meeting to check technical details will be scheduled for the end of October for all remote presenters.
You will have Zoom and in-person moderators to introduce you, take audience questions, and assist you generally.
Your session will be recorded and posted on the ASU Accessibility site and our YouTube channel unless you specify otherwise.

Tips to make your presentation accessible

Create accessible slideshows

Please consider these accessibility best practices when creating your slide deck.

Run the PowerPoint Accessibility Checker on your slides.
Use a sans serif font (e.g., Arial).
Use a large font size--at least 22 point.
Make sure slides have good color contrast (see this Color Contrast Checker).
Don’t use color alone to convey meaning.
Text on a slide should have nothing behind it (no watermarks or images).
Keep slide text clear and concise with short sentences and bulleted phrases (about 4 lines of text and 40 words per slide).
Don’t add text boxes, use the slide layouts provided in PowerPoint.
Provide alternative text descriptions for (or mark as decorative) all images, graphics, maps, charts, tables, etc.
Keep the lower third of your slides clear of content to ensure captions have an intentional and dedicated space within your slideshow.

Also see Accessible PowerPoints and Make your Google presentation more accessible.

Inclusive speaking tips

Please consider these accessibility best practices when delivering your presentation.

Provide digital copies of meeting materials in advance so that they can be forwarded to individuals who may not be able to view screens or charts.
Provide printed copies of materials in a large font.
Verbally describe visual materials (e.g., slides, charts, images and graphics) and read all slide text aloud.
Limit movement while presenting to make it easier for someone reading lips.
Consider the varying abilities of your audience when selecting activities for your presentation. For example, activities such as shuffle the cards, read the card, and pull the paper from under your chair may not be possible for some attendees.
Repeat questions posted by the audience.