Accessibility Awareness Week 2025

Accessible Technologies Open House

9 – 11:30 a.m. in Torgersen Hall, Room 2020

You’re invited to the TLOS Accessible Technologies team Open House. Join us to explore tools and resources that make learning and working at Virginia Tech more accessible for everyone. Chat with our friendly experts about captioning services, accessible documents, assistive technologies, Universal Design for Learning, training opportunities, and more. Plus, enjoy some snacks and drinks while you connect, learn, and discover how small changes can make a big impact. Don’t miss this chance to level up your accessibility game—see you there!

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Mark Nichols at 540-231-3272 or mnichol1@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Kiri-Spoon Showcase

1-2 p.m. in Goodwin Hall 313E (Virtual Option - Registration link to come)

Learn more about the design, manufacturing, and testing of an assistive feeding device, the Kiri-Spoon. Assistant Professor Dylan Losey brought a team together with backgrounds in both assistive robotics and computer science to explore new technological possibilities for those with limited mobility.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Maya Keely at 540-406-9122 or mayakeely@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Accessible Technologies Workshop: Keep C.A.L.M. BINGO

2 – 3 p.m. in University Mall, TLOS Room 2104 

Learn about ways to choose accessible learning materials while playing Bingo! Prizes included. Come join the fun!

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Ash Burns at 540-231-9107 or ashb16@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Fix Your Content Day Canvas Challenge: Describing Images

24-hour Challenge

TLOS Accessible Technologies (AT) invites all Virginia Tech canvas course instructors to make digital content more accessible. TLOS will be conducting preliminary scans of Canvas courses in all departments prior to the April 1 Fix Your Content Day, then again on April 2 after the event concludes, to measure our collective impact in adding alternative text (“alt text”) to images.  

Why It Matters

Adding alt text to images ensures everyone can access and engage with visual content. Alt text is a crucial aspect of adhering to accessibility standards, like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1 AA), which is the minimal standard for ADA Title II compliance.

Simple Steps to Fix Images in Your Canvas Courses:

• Run the Ally Course Accessibility Report in the Canvas course navigation pane. If the Ally Course Accessibility Report is not present, you can manually enable the report.

• Under the Remaining Issues section, select “The image does not have a description.” 

• Ensure each image’s accessibility gauge is green. If it’s yellow or red, select the gauge to add alt text. 

• Add alt text manually, use the built-in AI auto-generate feature, or mark specific images as purely decorative (which don’t require alt text).  

• That’s it! You have completed the challenge. If you want to continue working toward decreasing our total number of inaccessible images— perhaps those within your presentations or documents that Ally also identified—check out the helpful resources below.

Need Help? 

• Guidance on using Ally to fix image descriptions

• Not sure how to write effective alt text? Check out the Keep C.A.L.M. and Describe Images campaign or reach out to Accessible Technologies at assist@vt.edu

At Virginia Tech, we uphold the Principles of Community, fostering a supportive learning environment for all. This is more than just an April 1st challenge—it’s about shared responsibility and working collectively to remove barriers for students. Small changes, like adding alternative text to images, have a big impact in reducing barriers within our digital environment.  

Accessible Technologies Workshop - Accessibility Tool Showcase: EquatIO (Employee/Instructor Focus)

10 – 11 a.m. via Zoom (Registration Required)

Looking for an accessible, user-friendly way to create and share equations, graphs, and mathematical notations? EquatIO is designed to simplify the process for instructors and students alike—whether you need a virtual whiteboard, seamless equation integration in Canvas, or handwriting-to-text capabilities. In this interactive session, we’ll explore the latest EquatIO features, demonstrate real-world use cases, and share practical tips to enhance accessibility in math instruction. Learn how to streamline your workflow, support students more effectively, and make math more inclusive.

What You’ll Gain: Hands-on exploration of EquatIO’s newest tools, best practices for integrating EquatIO into your courses, accessibility insights for creating inclusive learning materials, and time-saving strategies for tutoring and content creation.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Mark Nichols at 540-231-3272 or mnichol1@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Accessible Technologies Workshop - Accessibility Tool Showcase: EquatIO (Student Focus)

11 – 11:30 a.m. via Zoom (Registration Required)

Struggling to type math equations for assignments? Need a better way to work with graphs and formulas in your coursework? Whether you're taking math, science, or any subject that involves equations, EquatIO can make your life easier! Join us for this hands-on session to explore how EquatIO can help you write equations quickly using speech/handwriting/simple text, insert formulas and graphs into assignments/presentations/Canvas, use a virtual whiteboard for problem-solving and collaboration, access built-in tools that make math more accessible, and get personal support with EquatIO’s built in math mentor tutor. No coding, complicated formatting, or extra stress—just an easier way to write, learn, and share math.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Mark Nichols at 540-231-3272 or mnichol1@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Social Media Best Practices: Accessibility

1 p.m. via Zoom (Registration Required)

Learn how to create and post accessible social media content with best practices presented by the Virginia Tech central social media team.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Kate Adkins at 540-824-5222 or socialmedia-g@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Small Moves, Big Accessibility Improvements

3 p.m. via Zoom (Registration Required)

The goal of creating experiences and classes that anyone can benefit from can seem daunting and out of reach. Despite our commitment to Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community and our ethics, compliance can be challenging. By making a handful of small improvements, we can make our digital creations work for far more people. Learn how to quickly make better PDFs, what is most important to improve Word files, and how to make XLS files work for everyone. Small moves can improve your documents, pages, and courses.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Chandler S.B. at 540-231-3665 or chandler@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Accessibility Network at Virginia Tech – Quarterly Meeting

9 – 10 a.m. via Zoom (Join the Accessibility Network Google group to obtain the Zoom meeting details.)

The Accessibility Network at Virginia Tech is a community of practice that brings together Hokies who share a common vision for enhancing digital accessibility across campus. The Network provides information, community, and training to support a wide variety of activities including advancing web accessibility, incorporating universal design practices, utilizing assistive technologies, and choosing accessible learning materials.  The Network is open to all interested faculty, staff, and students. Meetings are hosted virtually through Zoom on a quarterly basis. 

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Mark Nichols at 540-231-3272 or mnichol1@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Auditing for Digital Accessibility: A Beginner’s Guide

3 p.m. via Zoom (Registration Required)

Digital accessibility is important from legal, ethical, and business perspectives. We'll cover manual and automated testing methods to highlight common accessibility barriers, such as color contrast issues, keyboard navigation challenges, and screen reader compatibility. We'll use testing tools like Axe, WAVE, and ANDI and demonstrate screen reader testing with NVDA. Participants can opt to audit their own pages or analyze a third-party site. The walkthrough includes identifying issues, interpreting results, and documenting findings in an audit report. We'll sort issues by severity, distinguishing quick fixes from longer-term improvements.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Emily Hilgendorf at 540-232-2022 or egabby@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC) at Virginia Tech’s Assistive Technology Open House

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Virginia Department of Education’s Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC)

As part of the School of Education in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, the T/TAC's open house is an opportunity for PK-12 educators, pre-service teachers, allied health professionals, students, families, university community members, and organizations to see what our assistive technology lending library has to offer, chat with our coordinators, and learn more about T/TAC's services. Visitors will be able to explore Assistive Technology (AT) tools that can support communication, play, computer access, executive functioning skills, literacy, and more! We will also have virtual reality, green screen, and 3D printing stations set up to add to the learning experience! To learn more about the mission of the T/TAC at Virginia Tech, please visit our website at ttac.vt.edu. Registration is not required for this event, but we do ask if you plan to bring a class, large group, or an AT Team that you contact Matt Newton at matthewn@vt.edu or Holly Love at hollyn@vt.edu prior to the event so that we can be prepared for your visit.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Matthew Newton at 540-231-5167 or ttac@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Accessible Technologies Workshop - Accessibility Tool Showcase: Read&Write (Employees/Instructors Focus)

1-2 p.m. via Zoom (Registration Required)  

This workshop will explore Read&Write, a powerful literacy support tool designed to enhance reading, writing, and research skills for all learners. This session will introduce key features, including text-to-speech for improved reading comprehension, speech-to-text for easier writing and note-taking, word prediction to enhance writing efficiency, and built-in study tools like highlighters, dictionaries, and vocabulary lists. Participants will learn how to integrate Read&Write into their teaching practices to support diverse learning needs, promote student independence, and foster an inclusive learning environment. Through practical demonstrations and implementation strategies, this workshop will provide instructors with the knowledge and confidence to use Read&Write effectively in their courses, helping students engage with content in a way that best suits their learning style

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Mark Nichols at 540-231-3272 or mnichol1@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Accessible Technologies Workshop:  Accessibility Tool Showcase: Read&Write  (Student focus)

2-2:30 p.m. via Zoom (Registration Required)

Need help reading long articles, writing papers, or studying more effectively? Read&Write is a powerful tool that makes reading, writing, and research easier, whether you're working on assignments, taking notes, or reviewing course materials. In this 30-minute session, you’ll learn how to use Read&Write’s text-to-speech to have articles read aloud, speech-to-text to dictate your ideas instead of typing, and word prediction to make writing faster and easier. We’ll also explore tools for highlighting key concepts, creating study guides, and checking spelling and grammar. No matter your learning style, Read&Write can help you save time, stay organized, and improve your academic success. Join us to see how this tool can work for you!

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Mark Nichols at 540-231-3272 or mnichol1@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Screening of Normal Isn’t Real

with post-screening conversation facilitated by Ash Burns and Jaz Jurkiewicz.

3 – 5 p.m. within the Community Space of the CID Building. 

Everyone has a different normal. Award-winning documentary filmmaker Krys Kornmeier has captured the unique challenges and strategies that four adults with learning disabilities and/or ADHD have developed to create their “normal” path to success. The 72-minute documentary NORMAL ISN’T REAL: Succeeding with Learning Disabilities & ADHD does not prescribe a one size fits all approach; rather, it showcases the talents, insights and tools four individuals from diverse backgrounds utilize to successfully navigate both their personal and professional lives. An engaging post-viewing discussion will be facilitated by Ash Burns (Inclusive Media and UDL Specialist, TLOS) and Jazmin Jurkiewicz (Assistant Director, Inclusive Well-being)

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Ash Burns at 540-231-9107 or ashb16@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Disability Alliance and Caucus Virtual Open House

Noon – 1 p.m. via Zoom (Email ashb16@vt.edu to request the meeting URL)

Have you heard of the Disability Alliance and Caucus? Come meet us and learn more about our organization! We are a Registered Student Organization which works alongside a Faculty/Staff Disability Caucus. We come together as disabled Virginia Tech community members and their allies to engage in community building, mutual support, and disability activism.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Ash Burns at 540-231-9107 or ashb16@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Screening of Normal Isn’t Real

with post-screening conversation facilitated by Ash Burns and Jaz Jurkiewicz.

1 – 3 p.m. within the Community Space of the CID Building.

Everyone has a different normal. Award-winning documentary filmmaker Krys Kornmeier has captured the unique challenges and strategies that four adults with learning disabilities and/or ADHD have developed to create their “normal” path to success. The 72-minute documentary NORMAL ISN’T REAL: Succeeding with Learning Disabilities & ADHD does not prescribe a one size fits all approach; rather, it showcases the talents, insights and tools four individuals from diverse backgrounds utilize to successfully navigate both their personal and professional lives. An engaging post-viewing discussion will be facilitated by Ash Burns (Inclusive Media and UDL Specialist, TLOS) and Jazmin Jurkiewicz (Assistant Director, Inclusive Well-being).

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Ash Burns at 540-231-9107 or ashb16@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Bridging Barriers: Universal Design and Filling in the Gaps

2-3 p.m. in the Graduate Life Center Room B  (Registration Required)

Bridging Barriers: Universal Design and Filling in the Gaps will explore the principles of universal design and demonstrate how to use accessible technology provided by Services for Students with Disabilities and Virginia Tech to support learning and bridge accessibility gaps.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Mya Hooks at 540-231-3788 or ssd@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Robotic and Automation Technologies in Construction

3 p.m. in the ARCADE Lab located on the second floor of Bishop-Favrao Hall

Visit the ARCADE Lab to learn more about robotic and automation technologies in construction with Dr. Keresh Afsari. The event will include a showcase and opportunities for hands-on activities.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Keresh Asfari at 540-231-2264 or keresh@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 5 business days prior to the event.

Open the Gates Gaming Playtest

1-5 p.m. in Newman Library 207A  (Registration Required) 

Open the Gates Gaming invites you to playtest our Cognitive Access Tools for Dungeons & Dragons! Participants can request a seat at bit.ly/OtGPlaytest and select April 5. We will email you confirmation of your spot, then you can complete a pre-game questionnaire to tell us about yourself and help us make the game enjoyable for you! Once you arrive, we’ll introduce you to Dungeons & Dragons and our team, then separate into groups of about 5 players to play through an adventure with the help of our Cognitive Access Tools. We’ll have snacks and breaks throughout. Afterwards, you’ll complete a post-game questionnaire to let us know what you think about our tools and if you have any suggestions for improvement. We will give you your own set of polyhedral dice with our logo and a custom Open the Gates Gaming Trailblazer box to thank you for helping us with our mission of empowering everyone to tell their own stories!

Please note: The Virginia Tech Human Research Protections Programs has determined that this project (IRB # 24-1001) does not meet the federal definition of human subjects research. We want participants to be fully included in this event!

Let us know if you have any access needs or accommodation requests by emailing us at OpenTheGatesGaming@gmail.com or emclain@vt.edu. Please do not hesitate to ask us any questions about the event! Our goal is for you to be comfortable and fully included.