Conference Agenda
Monday, April 7th Sessions
Concurrent Sessions 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Cultivating Access to Agriculture: Traditional & Urban Agriculture for All Abilities
Laura Akgerman, Yiyun Lin and Alvin Wilkerson
This session explores the diverse landscape of agriculture in Ohio. Ohio AgrAbility will provide insights into traditional farming practices and the resources available for farmers with disabilities. The Ohio State University Urban Agriculture team will delve into the growing field of urban and suburban agriculture, highlighting community-driven initiatives and accessible gardening opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Discover how to cultivate your passion for agriculture, regardless of your background or ability.
Advancing Collegewide Accessibility: Making Lasting Change Despite High Turnover
Michelle R. Nario-Redmond, Alexia Kemerling, and Ceara Nario-Redmond
A tight-knit, diverse liberal-arts college seems like a natural fit for disability justice. However, high administrative turnover and changing student demographics complicate sustained activism. This presentation describes a 10-year journey for improved accessibility and curricular inclusion, leveraging our successes and failures at mitigating ableism through collective actions for concrete change.
The Next Frontier: Disability Access in the Criminal Justice System
Jenifer Montag and Benjamin Wright
Thirty-eight percent of the population in US prisons have disabilities. The next frontier for disability advocacy is the US justice system, from police to prison to reentry. Hear a justice-impacted disabled scholar and a DS professional describe the barriers and explain opportunities for accessibility and inclusion found in this new frontier.
Concurrent Sessions 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Cultivating Access to Agriculture: Ohio AgrAbility Project & Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities - A Partnership for Farmers with Disabilities
Laura Akgerman, Rachel Jarman, Sarah Jordan and Christine Mason
Join us for an insightful session exploring the powerful collaboration between the Ohio AgrAbility Project and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). Discover how we work together to empower farmers and agricultural workers with disabilities to maintain and thrive in their chosen careers. Whether you're a vocational rehabilitation professional, an agricultural service provider, or simply interested in the power of assistive technology, this session will provide valuable knowledge and practical strategies. Join us to learn how we're cultivating independence and empowering individuals to thrive in the heart of Ohio's agricultural community.
Working Together: How Higher Education and Private Industry Can Advance Accessibility
Peter Bossley and Cristian Uribe
With over 18 years of professional technology experience, over 11 of which have been directly focused on digital accessibility, I will present perspectives on how public entities such as higher education institutions can approach and motivate accessibility improvements in their procured technology services. I will also share approaches that vendors can take to meet their customers needs in the most efficient model possible.
Supporting Disabled College Students Experiencing Barriers to Access
Ali Martin Scoufield
More disabled students are entering higher education annually, yet remain underrepresented in overall enrollment and have lower graduation rates. This engaging session will blend theory, research, and practice to center the experiences of disabled students and examine barriers they are experiencing when entering college.
Concurrent Sessions 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM
Cultivating Access to Agriculture: Disability Employment and Community Engagement in Agriculture, Horticulture and Food Production
Tina Garriott, Elizabeth Heiser, Lisa McCutcheon and Bobbi McKee
This panel discussion features representatives from organizations that actively employ and advocate for individuals with disabilities in food production, agriculture, horticulture, and animal care. Panelists will share their organizational missions, employment practices, success stories, challenges, and advice for those seeking to create similar opportunities in their communities.
Accessing Imagery: An Introduction to Audio Description and Alt Text
Jane Ehrenfeld and Katie Frederick
An introduction to the why and how of Audio Description and Alt Text and understanding the differences between the two. Interactive exercises will help participants to begin to understand how to craft audio descriptions and alt text. A resource list will be made available to attendees.
Empowering Minds through People-Centered Leadership and Universal Design
Theresa Haskins
Explore the transformative impact of psychologically safe and people-centered leadership combined with universal design and neurodiversity principles. Discover how these approaches can create inclusive, adaptive, and supportive environments in educational institutions and workplaces, ensuring everyone can thrive. Join us to learn practical strategies that not only promote accessibility but also celebrate the many ways individuals learn, work, and contribute to their communities.
Plenary Session 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Student Life Disability Services Student Panel: From Access to Belonging
Moderator: Heidi Aune
Join us for an engaging session where the Ohio State Student Life Disability Services office reflects on over 50 years of creating access on campus. A panel of students will discuss their lived experiences of our campus’s commitment to disability access and empowerment, highlighting how they have cultivated a sense of belonging. Panelists may explore both campus progress points and areas for growth based on their encounters within and beyond the classroom. From accessible infrastructure to fostering a sense of belonging, let’s collectively honor students’ experiences to shape the future of our campus.
Tuesday, April 8th Sessions
Concurrent Sessions 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Every Mind Matters, Creating Workplaces and Communities Where Every Person Thrives
Nora Plambeck
Mental health shapes our well-being, productivity, and workplace engagement. This session addresses everyday mental health struggles, gaps in current strategies, and barriers to support. Through storytelling, research, and practical advice, attendees gain tools to integrate inclusivity, diversity, and personal agency into lasting mental wellness practices and policies.
Young Adults with Rare Conditions: The ODA Generation
Courtney Felle
Young adults with rare conditions develop identities distinct from young adults with non-rare disabilities. Due to the unique policy landscape of rare conditions, the civil rights model of the ADA is not enough. The medical model still holds practical use for many advocates. How can we better understand the embodied experiences of young adults with rare conditions?
The Main Menu Project: Creating Screen-Reader Accessible Menus
Abigail Dumm, Madeline Price, and Olivia Kalczynski
The Main Menu Project is a student-organization at OSU that partners with local restaurants to create screen-reader accessible versions of their menus using NFC tag technology. This allows blind individuals to independently navigate the menu. This organization is working towards creating a more accessible restaurant experience for all.
Concurrent Sessions 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Supporting All Learners: A Faculty & Staff Workshop Model for the Advancement of Disability Inclusion
Madalyn Lyons and Jamonae Scarborough
This session will offer faculty and staff the knowledge and practical tools needed to effectively support students with disabilities within the academic environment. Through a combination of legal understanding, inclusive practices, accommodation management and collaborative strategies, this training will empower participants to create an environment that promotes accessibility, reduces barriers, and encourages the academic and personal success of students with disabilities.
Limitless! Ohio’s IPSE Student Experience
Liz Laurer, Michael Morrow, Erika Campolito, Samantha McDonald and Cassie Cisco
Limitless! is an exciting one-day conference centered on future, current, and graduated students of Ohio’s inclusive post-secondary education colleges and universities. Transition professionals and families are also welcome. Attendees enjoy networking with college students from Ohio's IPSE programs and learning from experts on important topics related to living life fully and maximizing personal independence and relationships. Presenters include IPSE students who share their personal experiences and answer questions from other attendees.
Thinking about Access and Inclusion through Crip Linguistics
Octavian Robinson
Crip linguistics adopts a disability variationist approach to language. One principle of crip linguistics is to engage in care linguistics, which embodies a willingness to navigate multiple communication approaches. This session offers faculty and staff an opportunity to consider approaches to care linguistics that expands access for disabled languagers that encompasses practices of access intimacy, adaptions of technology, and relationality.
Concurrent Sessions 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM
Landmark College: Model Programs Serving Neurodivergent Post Secondary Students
Adam Lalor and Erica Loveland
This session will highlight signature programs that have been used (and sometimes developed) at Landmark College to serve postsecondary neurodivergent students. Going beyond compliance, Landmark College, the first college in the world to exclusively serve neurodivergent students, offers programs that can be adapted for use at other institutions.
Olmstead’s Integration Mandate: Accessible Housing On and Off Campus
David Koeninger and Melissa Day
Olmstead v. L.C. held that services, programs, and activities must be provided in “the most integrated setting appropriate” so that people with and without disabilities could interact to the fullest extent possible. For students with disabilities attending college, this ought to mean that they have the opportunity to live on-campus.
Group Mental Health Support for Caregivers of Autistic Children
Isabella Sansone
Group-based mental health interventions aimed at caregivers of children on the autism spectrum are explored, highlighting the potential role OTPs can play in implementing mindfulness and peer support interventions to improve family well-being.
Plenary Session 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Three Views of the ADA
Join the ADA Coordinators from the State, City, University for an overview of initiatives and programs and a discussion of trends in access to employment, programs, and services the built and digital environment.