Summer of Access Webinar Series: Design with Accessibility in Mind

Summer of Access Webinar Series: June through August

This summer, the Accessibility L&D Community is bringing together accessibility experts, designers, and advocates for a free webinar series focused on building more accessible digital learning environments. 

From Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) in action to accessible slides, keyboard navigation, and empathy-driven design, each session delivers practical insights you can use right away. No fluff, no filler.

Whether you're an instructional designer, educator, content creator, L&D professional,  EdTech professional, this series is your chance to learn from leaders who walk the talk in accessibility.

June Sessions

June 10 | Focus on Access: Keyboard Navigation in Digital Content
Presenter: Crystal Scott, CPWA
Time: 9 AM PST / 12 PM EST
Inaccessible navigation is still a major barrier for many users. Crystal breaks down how to design with keyboard access in mind and why it matters.  Register for Keyboard Accessibility.

June 17 | Slides for All: Making Your Presentations Accessible
Presenter: Rachel Schwartzman
Time: 8 AM PST / 11 AM EST (Tentative)
We’ve all sat through hard-to-read slides. Learn how to design presentations that are clear, inclusive, and easy to navigate for all learners. Register for Accessible Slides.

June 19 | Three Accessibility Wins: From Quick Fixes to Scalable Change
Presenter: James Kruck
Time: 8 AM PST / 11 AM EST
Explore three high-impact accessibility improvements that instructional designers, educators, and content creators can apply to their digital content. Register for Three Accessibility Wins.

June 24 | Beyond Accessibility: Reaping All the Benefits of Accessible Practices
Presenter: Judy Katz, MBA, MEd
Time: 11 AM PST / 2 PM EST
Join Judy for a conversation about how to discuss accessibility as part of an overall access strategy, rather than a DEI or disability effort. Register for Beyond Accessibility

July Sessions

July 8 | The Noise in the Channel: Why WCAG Matters for Meaningful Learning
Presenter: Dr. Jen Owlett, PhD
Time:  3:30 PM PST / 6:30 PM EST
Examine how the WCAG Perceivable guidelines, especially 1.1 (Text Alternatives) and 1.4 (Distinguishable), relate to encoding and decoding in instructional design. Register for The Noise in the Channel.

July 10 | Audio Descriptions: Why and How (Tentative Title)
Presenter: Marni Levett
Time: 3:30 PM PST / 6:30 PM EST
Understand what audio descriptions are, why they’re critical, and how to implement them in learning content. Register for Audio Descriptions.

July 15 | “How Do Blind People See the Computer?”
Presenter: Jacob Wood
Time: 3:30 PM PST / 6:30 PM EST
Have you ever wondered how blind people experience computers? No simulations, just real tools and lived experience. Register for How Do Blind People See the Computer.

August Sessions

August 5 | Improving Accessibility in Online Learning: A DMAIC Approach
Presenters: Jared Speight & Rachel Franke
Time: 9 AM PST / 12 PM EST
Explore the Mayo Clinic’s Revenue Cycle: Education and Continuous Improvement team is using the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control. Register for Improving Accessiblity in Online Learning.

August 12 | A11y Skills Needed in EdTech
Presenter: Matt Campbell
Time: 9 AM PST / 12 PM EST
Accessibility is no longer optional. Learn the accessibility skills that matter across EdTech roles. Register for A11y Skills Needed in EdTech.

August 14 | Beyond Translation: Making Digital Learning Accessible to Multilingual Learners
Presenter: Dr. Karolina Lovejoy, PhD
Time: 12 PM PST / 3 PM EST
Discover what inclusive design looks like for multilingual learners, and why translation alone isn’t enough. Register for Beyond Translation.

August 19 | Empathy: The Secret Ingredient of Accessible Design
Presenter: Kelly Thibodeau
Time: 8 AM PST / 11 AM EST
Learn how empathy drives accessible, human-centered design—and why it belongs at the center of your process. Register for Empathy: The Secret Ingredient.

Join the Conversation 💬

Want reminders, replays, and ongoing discussions? Join the Accessibility L&D Slack Community to stay connected, share takeaways, and collaborate with like-minded professionals.

Let’s make this the summer we stop retrofitting and start designing for everyone, from the start.