Instructors: Cherie Gagnon & Veronika Mogyorody
This workshop was offered on October 8, 2021.
Instructors play an essential role in making course material accessible and in creating a climate of equity and inclusion. Many things can be done to address the needs of diverse learners, and in this recorded workshop practical steps were provided to help viewers make course content more accessible to a broader base of students. The presenters contextualized the student experience to highlight the importance of embedding accessibility into course design. Attendees learned about such resources as screen readers, a form of assistive technology, and how to make documents more accessible for people who use this support. The workshop also covered how to provide audio description of visual content and how it helps fill the gap for those who can’t see images. By describing visual elements, students who have low vision are better able to participate in the learning environment and have a richer experience.
Dr. Veronika Mogyorody is the founder and past coordinator of the interdisciplinary Visual Arts and the Built Environment [VABE] program associated with the University of Windsor's School of Creative Arts, and the University of Detroit Mercy's School of Architecture. Recognized for her educational leadership, Dr. Mogyorody has been honored with a 3M National Teaching Fellowship and awarded the Brightspace Teaching and Learning Innovation Award. She is currently a Teaching and Learning Senior Fellow at the Centre for Teaching and Learning.
Cherie Gagnon is the Accessibility Manager in OHREA and has been involved in the disability community for 20 years in many capacities. She has extensive board experience and is a founding member of Microboards Ontario which supports people with disabilities to direct their own lives. In addition to representing the family voice locally, she was appointed by the Minister of Children and Youth to sit on an inter-ministerial reference group overseeing implementation of the Special Needs Strategy. As a UWindsor Alumni, and a graduate from the University of Calgary Masters in Disability and Community Studies, Cherie is enjoying the opportunity to work at her alma mater to support an inclusive and accessible experience for students and employees.
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