2019 Conference Sessions

Featured and Concurrent Session Descriptions

Conference Program

Featured Presentation:
(8:45-10:30 AM)

Reconsidering Inclusivity: Moving Toward a Culture of Access
Dr. Margaret Price- The Ohio State University

Dr. Margaret Price is a researcher of disability studies who draws upon more than 15 years of experience exploring the question of inclusivity in classrooms, meeting spaces, at conferences, and other sites of higher education. In this talk, she argues that “including” students, faculty, and staff with disabilities in higher education will mean more than simply offering extra supports. Instead, it will mean rethinking many of the structures and texts that we’ve come to rely upon in higher education, so that we are not merely including those with mental-health disabilities, but consistently expecting them. This talk investigates the recently popular phrase ”culture of care,” and asks how such a culture can be sustainably and reliably implemented in specific sites of higher education.

Presentation Slides – PDF
Narrative of Presentation Slides – PDF


 Concurrent Sessions:  


Concurrent Session 1 (10:45-11:45 AM)


A Tale of Two Directors: Miami’s Accessibility Journey 

Andrew Zeisler & Sean Poley -Miami University  

In this session we will discuss partnerships, stakeholders, and initiatives that have moved Miami’s accessibility efforts forward in the name of institutional equity and inclusion. Presenters will highlight Miami’s move to electronic case management, processes for reporting barriers and grievances, development of an adaptive technology policy and mandatory accessibility training for faculty, and improved procurement processes to name a few. Also discussed will be the formation of Miami’s AccessMU Center, the Student Disability Advisory Council, and the endowment of the J. Scott and Susan MacDonald Miller Center for Student Disability Services.

Presentation Slides – PDF


Service Animals in Training in Ohio 

Jane Jarrow – Disability Access Information and Support

For several years, issue of ESAs and Service Animals have been at the forefront of our professional discussions and interchange. While we have heard about the application of Federal law in sorting out issues of animals on campus, the OH-AHEAD conference provides a unique opportunity to focus on the how Ohio’s state statutes go beyond federal mandates to include the presence of service animals in training. More importantly, we need to talk about what is NOT covered under state law!

Presentation Slides – PDF
Presentation Materials – Word Doc


Accessibility from Compliance to Culture 

Pamela Goines & Heidi Pettyjohn – University of Cincinnati

This session will provide participants with a road map that shows how to transition from a mere compliant campus to an intentional culture of inclusive access for all.

Presentation Slides – PDF


Lunch and Business Meeting (12:00-1:30PM)


Concurrent Session 2 (1:45- 2:45 PM)


The Un-Meeting: Moving from Information to Transformation 

Mary Murphy, Jody Haserodt, Kelly McLaughlin, and Rachel Wagner  – Lorain County Community College

This session will explore a culture of relationship building and the internal and external collaborations that have resulted and how this has enhanced services to students with disabilities. Accessibility Services Team members will share how their experiences connecting with individuals have positively impacted areas such as transitioning to college, the social needs of students, veteran support, increasing web accessibility, and embedding agency supports. Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair….

Presentation Slides – PDF


Into the Weeds: Considerations for Colleges and Universities in the Age of Medical Marijuana

Elizabeth Smith & Erin French – Vorys, Stater, Seymour, and Peas LLP

Medical marijuana is legal in Ohio. Now what? This presentation will review the history of medical marijuana and its legalization across the country, including Ohio. It will also explore medical marijuana as an accommodation for students with disabilities, including the implications of and considerations in accommodating medical marijuana users that are unique to colleges and universities.

Presentation Slides – PDF


Institutionalizing Advance Planning of Accessible Course Content 

Stephanie Dawson, Hope Sweeney, and Cynthia Steidle – Miami University

Advance planning and collaboration between students, faculty, DS providers and alt format producers is essential to ensure timely delivery of accessible course content. Campuses can foster a caring and inclusive culture through implementation of structured processes that engage stakeholders in advance planning. This session will share one university’s experience with institutionalizing a proactive approach to preparing accessible course content for students with vision and hearing disabilities.

Presentation Slides – PDF


Concurrent Session 3 (3:00- 4:00 PM)


Shifting Perceptions: Creating a Culture of Access on Campus

Dan Darkow – Miami University

Dismantling dominant cultural narratives of Deaf and disabled people in our role as disability services professionals is vital. Viewing disability as alien, terrifying, tragic, and that it transforms life in overwhelmingly negative ways is routine. We have the responsibility as perceived knowledge holders on disability, accessibility, and inclusion for students with disabilities to shift this basic viewpoint. In order to create a campus culture that cares, and values access, active approaches are necessary. This session will engage participants in an interactive discussion on various strategies used to re-frame the disability narrative among folks in academic affairs, student affairs, and every voice on campus. We will discuss what information can be shared, how, when, and ways to best tailor content for specific groups. Disability has a right to be valued on campus and understanding where participants voices can influence culture is just the beginning.

Presentation Materials- PDF


There’s Got to be a Better Way 

Hope Sweeney – Miami University

What happens when we identify a campus process or even one of our own processes as outdated, inefficient or barrier producing? How do we manage the change that needs to take place within the process AND those involved in and affected by it? Using Lean/Six Sigma principles allows anyone to quickly and successfully manage any project by keeping track of the details that make up the big picture. And when the details are managed, you can create an environment where the people are as important as the process. Come see how one university has used Lean to change an entire campus culture for the better.

Presentation Materials – ZIP


Academic Coaching and Success

Stephanie Rowland, Annie Stinemetz, and Emily Lugg – Ohio Wesleyan

Many high school students with executive functioning weaknesses utilize extended support from counselors, outside coaches and parents. These students are dedicated and academically successful, but also reliant on their support networks for help with organization, timelines, and academic support. Recognizing that these students often need to continue some type of extended support in college beyond what the majority of our students require,Ohio Wesleyan just completed a pilot year of our fee for services academic coaching program(BISHOP ACCESS). Join us to learn about the planning process for this program, as well as the setbacks, directional changes, and successes we celebrated at the end of our first year and our goals moving forward.

Presentation Slides and Materials – ZIP