Date
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time
3:00 PM - 3:50 PM
Location Name
BL 20
Name
Access First: Because You Never Know Who You are Helping
Description

This session prioritizes access by: Redefining Accessibility: Embedding accessibility beyond compliance into teaching and learning. Identifying and Eliminating Barriers: Recognizing and removing subtle digital and environmental obstacles to student success. Applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Integrating UDL principles and supports to maximize rigor for all students. We will first establish the importance and benefits of placing access first. Then, we will focus on practical strategies to dismantle "invisible walls" by identifying specific student needs and learning obstructions. Finally, attendees will receive practical tools and strategies to seamlessly integrate supports into classrooms and professional development. Our goal is to normalize access, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Session Type
Traditional Workshop
Track
Assistive Technology/Inclusive Tech
Secondary Track
Equity and Inclusion
Primary Audience
Elementary/Middle School
Secondary Audience
General Educators
Fall Conference Strands
Educate
MA DLCS Strands
Computing and Society, Digital Tools and Collaboration