Pre-Conference Workshops

40th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference Has Concluded

Mike has worked in the fields of accessibility, assistive technology, and disability services for over 15 years. Mike has a Master of Science degree in Assistive Technology and Human Services from California State University Northridge. Throughout his career, Mike has worked as a certified assistive technology trainer, accessibility consultant, and director of a low vision and blindness support center.

At the University of Colorado, Mike oversees the digital accessibility assessment, usability, training, and outreach activities within the Digital Accessibility Office, his portfolio includes supervision of accessibility testing, procurement, training, and consulting efforts. Mike also teaches multiple courses in accessibility and assistive technology at California State University, Northridge.

Marisha is the Accessibility & Usability Assessment Manager in the University of Colorado Boulder Digital Accessibility Office. She manages all stages of accessibility assessment (testing) and consulting work. Prior to UCB, she worked in accessibility services, assistive technology, and digital accessibility. Marisha received her BS in Mathematics from Regis University and her MA in Research and Evaluation Methods from UC Denver. She is currently in the Ph.D. program for Research and Evaluation Methods at UC Denver. In her free time, she gardens and spends time with her husband and her dog.

Ally gained her higher education and digital accessibility experience working as an Alternate Media Coordinator at California State University, Chico in 2016. She moved to Colorado in 2022 to begin her career at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Digital Accessibility Office and is currently the Accessibility and Outreach Manager, facilitating customized training workshops campus and system-wide, as well as creating activities, newsletters, and social media designed to raise awareness about digital accessibility to our campus community and the public.

Assessments offer a platform for service delivery that provides consistent, usable data, justification, and accountability for the organization, end user, and service provider. It is essential to effectively match a user’s needs, characteristics, and preferences to the correct technology. The purpose of the workshop is to provide AT practitioners with an overview of and experience with AT assessment methodology and practice. Participants will be provided an in-depth look at and in-workshop use of several (AT assessment tools that can be utilized at various stages of the lifespan.

Mike has worked in the fields of accessibility, assistive technology, and disability services for over 15 years. Mike has a Master of Science degree in Assistive Technology and Human Services from California State University Northridge. Throughout his career, Mike has worked as a certified assistive technology trainer, accessibility consultant, and director of a low vision and blindness support center.

At the University of Colorado, Mike oversees the digital accessibility assessment, usability, training, and outreach activities within the Digital Accessibility Office, his portfolio includes supervision of accessibility testing, procurement, training, and consulting efforts. Mike also teaches multiple courses in accessibility and assistive technology at California State University, Northridge.

Marisha is the Accessibility & Usability Assessment Manager in the University of Colorado Boulder Digital Accessibility Office. She manages all stages of accessibility assessment (testing) and consulting work. Prior to UCB, she worked in accessibility services, assistive technology, and digital accessibility. Marisha received her BS in Mathematics from Regis University and her MA in Research and Evaluation Methods from UC Denver. She is currently in the Ph.D. program for Research and Evaluation Methods at UC Denver. In her free time, she gardens and spends time with her husband and her dog.

Ally gained her higher education and digital accessibility experience working as an Alternate Media Coordinator at California State University, Chico in 2016. She moved to Colorado in 2022 to begin her career at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Digital Accessibility Office and is currently the Accessibility and Outreach Manager, facilitating customized training workshops campus and system-wide, as well as creating activities, newsletters, and social media designed to raise awareness about digital accessibility to our campus community and the public.

This interactive workshop is designed to help professionals across all roles—whether in strategy, design, content creation, or management—embed accessibility into their digital products. Participants will gain a deep understanding of accessibility principles and learn how to apply them to various digital environments, including websites, mobile apps, and digital marketing materials. The workshop will cover practical strategies and tools to integrate accessibility at every stage of the digital product process, ensuring an inclusive experience for all users.

This workshop aims to empower participants to become advocates for accessibility in their digital projects, regardless of their technical expertise or role, by providing them with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make digital products more inclusive.

We have seen the media focus on the impact, both positive and negative, of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools. At ETS, our accessibility team has embraced AI as our assistant and apprentice. Learn from our accessibility experts about AI, and what it can, and cannot, do to help you do your job as an accessibility specialist. During this workshop, you will learn how to use ChatGPT to create your own custom accessibility tools, specifically Bookmarklets, a simple way to add accessibility tooling to your web browser. You will leave this workshop with functional tools tailored to your specific needs.

Shrirang, PhD, is a Lead – Global Accessibility Engineeringin the Accessibility Standards and Inclusive Technology Group at Educational Testing Service. Dr. Sahasrabudhe focuses on the creation of innovative, accessible interactive educational assessments and on the design and implementation of accessibility engineering processes. He received his PhD in Information Systems from the University of North Carolina - Greensboro. Prior to his PhD studies, Dr. Sahasrabudhe was a Senior User Interface Architect at Infosys, Ltd. and a software developer for the DAISY Consortium.

Sindhura, MS, is a Senior Accessibility Specialist in the Accessibility Standards and Inclusive Technology Group at Educational Testing Service. In her role at ETS, Sindhu is engaged in the accessibility design, development, and testing of educational assessment and learning technologies. She received her master's degree in computer science from the University of Rhode Island. Before joining ETS, she worked as a Front-End Developer at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and completed an internship at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

This workshop will explore the role of Assistive Technology (AT) in fostering an inclusive learning environment. We’ll provide an overview of AT and how it not only supports students with disabilities but enhances the educational experience for all students. Understanding AT only takes us so far. Many times, these barriers are created unknowingly and unintentionally. So, we will also provide an overview of accessibility barriers experienced by AT users when interacting with inaccessible content. We will explore design choices and assess if they will hinder or promote accessibility.

In this interactive workshop, we will explore the principles of accessible content creation using the POUR framework (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust). Attendees will leave equipped with practical strategies and best practices, including the use of meaningful hyperlinks, alternative text for images, structured tables, and accessible styles - headings, font selection, font size, color, etc. We will cover accessibility in various formats, including Word, PowerPoint, and PDFs. By embracing these best practices, attendees will be equipped to ensure an accessible learning experience for all students, especially students with disabilities.

Shirley is the Alternate Media Specialist for Moorpark College. She is passionate about accessibility and committed to promoting access for all. For the past 17 years, Shirley has worked with students who have a print disability, ensuring they have access to textbooks and other course content in a format that is accessible to the devices and software they are accustom to using.

Shirley has presented multiple workshops at the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference and is the Accessibility Editor for the Journal on Technology & Persons with Disabilities. Prior experience includes various positions within the print industry ensuring print accuracy and overseeing print production.

The implementation of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems is vital for preventing communication failures for individuals with profound autism. Speech-generating devices (SGDs) are frequently recommended to support communication and language development for non-speaking or minimally vocal autistic individuals. However, despite their potential, SGDs often experience high abandonment rates due to various challenges such as lack of AAC personalization, limited caregiver training, and difficulty in operational use. In this workshop, presenters will explore these barriers through a collaborative lens and offer actionable strategies to overcome them, ensuring more successful communication outcomes. A growing body of research supports the advancement of AAC technologies for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.

Describe the distinctive learning characteristics of autistic individuals and apply this understanding to tailor effective, individualized AAC interventions.
Explore current research on speech generating devices (SGDs) and how their features and designs can promote language acquisition, sight reading, speech development, and social communication for autistic individuals.
Identify strategies to foster multidisciplinary collaboration, increase caregiver involvement, and personalize speech generating devices for enhanced communication outcomes.

Ling is a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst and Ontario Autism Program Clinical Supervisor with 17 years of experience supervising and developing behavioural interventions for children and youth diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities.

For five years, Ling and has taught courses in behavioural health sciences and has served as a Subject Matter Expert. She currently serves as the Co-Chair for the program advisory board of the Behavioural Psychology and Behavioural Health Sciences programs at Seneca College. She has also delivered presentations and clinical training internationally and has consulted to agencies and clinics on developing effective, ethical and sustainable clinical and operational infrastructures to improve clinical outcomes.

Brittany is the Founder and CEO of Evergreen Communication Therapy and leads a dedicated team of professionals who are passionate advocates for individuals affected by aphasia. With over 10 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist and specialized training in Supportive Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA™), Brittany is committed to improving communication accessibility for those who know more than they can express.

Brittany has a strong interest in literacy, supporting clients across the lifespan in developing their reading and writing skills. She is dedicated to providing evidence-based, individualized treatment that fosters communication success. A proud member of the Community Aphasia Programs Network of Ontario (CAPN-ON), Brittany also serves as the Program Director of the Halton-Peel Community Aphasia Programs.

In addition to her work with Evergreen, Brittany co-founded Elemenoe Speech, Language, Behaviour, and Learning, where she continues to lead a collaborative team serving children, youth, and families. As a mother of two, she brings her passion and commitment into all aspects of her work and daily life.

40th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference Has Concluded

40th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference Has Concluded

Introduction to Assistive Technology Workshop Bundle

Assistive Technology (AT) Basics

Summary

Learning Objectives

Biography

Mike Williamson

Marisha Lamont-Manfre

Ally Bartley

Assistive Technology (AT) Assessment Principles and Practices

Summary

Learning Objectives

Biography

Mike Williamson

Marisha Lamont-Manfre

Ally Bartley

Full Day Workshops

Inclusive Strategy: How to Embed Accessibility into Your Digital Products

Summary

Learning Objectives

Biography

Nikki Kuhn

Using Generative AI as Your Accessibility Engineering Assistant

Summary

This workshop requires participants Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).

Learning Objectives

Biography

Markku (Mark) Hakkinen

Shrirang Sahasrabudhe

Sindhura Jaladhanki

Half-Day Workshops

Essential for Some, Useful for All: Best Practices That Create an Accessible Learning Experience for All Students

Summary

This workshop requires participants Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).

Learning Objectives

Biography

Shirley Ruiz

Kate Tipton

Advancing AAC Technology and Interventions for Autistic Individuals through Research and Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Summary

Learning Objectives

Biography

Ling Ly Tan

Brittany Clark