AHEAD In Texas: Wide Open Spaces
Tiffany Rivers, Tamara Mancini, and BOD
April 3, 2024 9:15 am
Room A
We all understand that AHEAD in Texas is the Texas affiliate of the national association, AHEAD – Association on Higher Education and Disability, but where did we come from and where do we want to go? The history of the affiliate dates back to 1992, and we have had some strong leadership over the years. With changing times, changing expectations in our field, and recent changes in other laws adjacent to the ADA, our day jobs are busier which leads to less time and energy to volunteer. But we need you, the organization needs you, and your fellow disability service providers need you! Through a deep dive into the current Bylaws, options for change, and suggestions from the attendees voicing what the membership wants, we will wrap up the session and the conference with a way forward for the affiliate organization.Session Attachments
Deaf Student Mentor Program
Lei-Sea Sky
April 3, 2024 11:00 am
Room B
The Deaf Student Mentor Program stands as a valuable supplement to the existing advocacy resources provided by the SAR Center at UTA. This innovative initiative aims to enrich the support system for the Deaf student community by introducing a unique perspective. The primary objective of the Deaf Student Mentor is to offer firsthand insights into the multifaceted resources and accessibility options available within the UTA campus and its surrounding community. Through this program, a bridge is formed between the Deaf student experience and the array of services offered, fostering a more welcoming and informed environment. In response to the evolving landscape of fair treatment, the Deaf Student Mentor Program emerges as an essential addition to the comprehensive advocacy network already in place at UTA. This program is designed to cultivate a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Deaf students, offering a personalized touch to the support system. The Deaf Student Mentor serves as a knowledgeable guide, providing a nuanced perspective on the myriad resources and accessibility features available both on the UTA campus and within the broader community. By tapping into the experiential wisdom of the Deaf Student Mentor, fellow students, faculty, and staff can gain invaluable insights into the day-to-day experiences and triumphs of the Deaf community. This program is not merely an addition; it is a catalyst for fostering a culture of empathy and proactive engagement. Beyond conveying information, the Deaf Student Mentor becomes a liaison, ensuring that the Deaf perspective is woven into the fabric of decision-making and resource allocation. Through collaborative efforts, the Deaf Student Mentor Program endeavors to strengthen the communal bonds that define the UTA experience. Attendees are invited to participate actively in this transformative initiative, recognizing that a more encompassing campus is a
shared responsibility. Join us in embracing the transformative potential of the Deaf Student Mentor Program as we strive to enhance the accessibility landscape for all members of our academic community through equitable representation, amplifying perspectives, and charting a course towards an even more accessible future for all.
Session Attachments
Empowering Through Connection: The Role of Peer Mentors
Justo Garcia and Angie Maxey
April 3, 2024 11:00 am
Room C
Delve into the transformative impact of peer mentors in supporting the academic and social development of students with disabilities, fostering a sense of empowerment and community.
Session Attachments
Integrating MS Forms and MS Power Automate to Streamline Data Collected by Forms
Sharon Betzold
April 3, 2024 1:45 pm
Room C
Do you use Microsoft Forms to collect information from visitors to your website? Maybe you have an application to your services or scholarships, or maybe you collect exit surveys or student/staff brags. Whatever the purpose of your form, during this entry-level, hands-on session, you will learn how to use MS Power Automate to handle the processing of data collected by MS Forms. We will cover the basics of how to collect the data in Excel, how to send automatic replies and forwards, and how to format data so it’s easier to use. Having attended a similar session at a breakout at ACTP in Fall 2022, Power Automate has become integral to our department. Once you know the basics, you can find more and more ways to automate Microsoft Processes to simplify your life.
*Bringing a laptop to this breakout is highly encouraged as we will walk through each part step-by-step.
Session Attachments
Navigating Work-Based Learning and Workforce Programs: Finding Effective Solutions
Brenda Aviles and Jill Strawbridge
April 3, 2024 1:45 pm
Room B
Universities and community colleges are increasingly facing challenges in implementing accommodations from Disability Resources offices through individualized approaches specific for students with disabilities enrolled in courses and programs with work-based, hands-on instruction. This session will examine obstacles and possibilities in adhering to compliance regulations and collaborating with campus partners. The focus will be on exploring scenarios for implementing career-oriented educational experiences through proactive strategies that consider students’ functional limitations and adhere to technical standards.
Session Attachments
How You Doin’?
Abbi May and Crystal Fuqua
April 4, 2024 9:15 am
Room C
Student Affairs professionals are on the front lines of supporting students in all areas. As we care for students facing a myriad of challenges ranging from personal tragedy to physical and mental health concerns, it is imperative to also care for ourselves and out colleagues. How can we shift from a culture of chaos to a culture of care?
Session Attachments
Assistive Technology to Support Learners and Create More Incluse Campuses
Rachel Kruzel
April 4, 2024 9:15 am
Room B
Higher Ed is focused on creating more inclusive campuses given the students coming to our institutions today. Concurrently, the types of educational environments that students engage with is diversifying as well. In this session, we’ll explore our students of today along with AT tools that can be adopted to support your learners and the strategic priorities you are focused on.
Session Attachments
Creative Accommodations to Support Students with Neurodiversity, Mental Health Challenges and Disabilities
Betsy Furler
April 4, 2024 9:15 am
Room B
A growing number of students are requesting accommodations for neurodiversity, mental health challenges and disabilities. This session will expose you to a number of creative, outside of the box ideas for accommodations especially for students with cognitive challenges. These are easy and inexpensive to implement and more effective than traditional accommodations. A variety of great apps that promote student success will be demonstrated.
Session Attachments
Empower to Employ: An Introduction to Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Marquita Greer and Elaine Wilson
April 4, 2024 10:30 am
Room C
Supporting your students with disabilities by establishing a collaborative partnership with Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program.
Session Attachments
Layman’s Guide to Why We Do What We Do in DSO
Marilyn Harren
April 4, 2024 1:45 pm
Room C
Are you new to the field and have questions about why we do what we do? Need a refresher? Most of everything we do in a DSO is based on a law or a lawsuit that has been filed. Join in as this session will assist you in knowing more about why we do what we do.
Session Attachments
We Need You: Behavioral Threat Assessment
Samantha Johnson
April 4, 2024 1:45 pm
Room B
Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) is the systematic process of investigating and assessing concerning behaviors. The primary goal of BTAM is to evaluate the difference between making a threat and posing a threat to a school community and then to build a management plan that supports the safety of the entire community.
Session Attachments
Is That a Reasonable Accommodation? Establishing Technical Standards and Essential Elements
Marilyn Harren
April 5, 2024 9:00 am
Room B
The accommodation request is made and the DSO staff thinks, “Hum, I am not sure about this one”. This session will assist attendees in understanding the difference between technical standards and essential elements and how to support faculty in understanding the need to establish these for their programs and classes. The fundamental alterations procedure will be reviewed.
Session Attachments
Oh No You Better Not! Lessons Learned From A HUD Complaint
Larry Phillippe
April 5, 2024 9:00 am
Room C
This session will focus on the HUD guidance document from January 2020 and how to decipher clear directives from inferred standards. Along with the information learned from a HUD complaint, the session will focus on best practices that should be in place for colleges and universities to handle the influx of ESA’s in the residence halls. Emphasis will also include the need to differentiate the documentation for an ESA and how it should NOT be the same as documentation that would be requested for academic classroom accommodations.
Session Attachments
Meet the TECHniques Center
Sharon Betzold
April 5, 2024 10:45 am
Room B
The TECHniques Center is an academic enhancement program that helps students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and/or autism spectrum disorders succeed at Texas Tech University. As one of only a handful of programs like it in the country and the only one in Texas, students from across the country attend Texas Tech specifically to benefit from this program. During this session, we will delve into the program’s history, services, and data that demonstrate its importance. At the end of the presentation, we will open the floor to discuss strategies for student success.
Session Attachments
Simplifying WCAG for Electronic Accessibility
Terisa O'Dowd
April 5, 2024 10:45 am
Room C
When creating course content, faculty are less likely to use the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) because they can be complicated and technical. In this webinar, participants will learn how to simplify WCAG for faculty implementation to make online content more accessible to individuals with disabilities. Using a more simplistic approach to these guidelines helps ensure that students with visual, auditory, cognitive, or physical impairments can easily navigate and understand digital content in online courses. By streamlining these guidelines, instructors are more likely to create a more inclusive online experience for all students.
Session Attachments
Texas ABLE Program: State Savings Program for Texans with Disabilities
Vanessa Goodson
April 5, 2024 1:30 pm
Room A