The conference serves as an effective personal and professional development resource for faculty, staff, students, and professionals seeking to broaden and deepen their perspectives around topics such as bias awareness, discrimination policies and practices, identity development, social justice education, and identity-based topics such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity. Workshop presenters include both UNT and external community members from around the country.

Click each title to view the presentations of these workshops. Note: Not all workshop session recordings and materials are available. Please contact Equity.Diversity@unt.edu if you have questions.

Welcome, Dr. Bertina H. Combes Inclusive Excellence Award, and Hilti Presenting Sponsor Address (8:30 - 9:00 a.m.)

 

Concurrent Sessions 1 (9:45 - 11:00 a.m.)

Academic Track

• Creating Inclusive Spaces in Housing and Residence Life | Level: Beginner​ - CANCELED

  Speaker(s): Gina Vanacore, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) Panelist(s): Michelle Castillo, B.B.A. (she/her/hers), Valerie Martinez-Ebers, Ph.D. (she/her/hers), Harold Woodard, M.A. (he/him/his)
  Keywords: Access and Equitable Practices, Ally Development and Coalition Building, Identity, Institutional Transformation, Organizational Development, Identity-Based and Other Diversity Programming, Recruitment and Retention

  This session will include faculty and staff that represent the Martial Eagles, Latin Dreams, and CAN communities in Housing and Residence Life at UNT. This workshop will detail what these communities are, why and how they were created, and crucial considerations that were made in the development process. It will also cover where the programs are now and what others should consider when creating inclusive spaces in their offices/departments/institutions/places of employment.

• Facilitating an Antiracist Pedagogies Working Group at a PWI | Level: Intermediate

  Speaker(s): Alyssa Provencio, Ph.D. (she/her/ella), Anastasia Wickham, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Ally Development and Coalition Building, Organizational Development, Social Justice Education, Anti-Racism

  In this workshop, the presenters will share context and reflections on facilitating an anti-racist pedagogies working group at a predominantly white institution (PWI). The presenters will offer suggestions for building allyship, buy-in, and institutional support. Attendees will participate in reflections, small group discussion, and activities.

  PowerPoint PowerPoint greyscale
• #Not A Buzz Word: Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education (Presented by ) | Level: Intermediate

  Speaker(s): Meghan Gowin, M.Ed. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Bias Awareness, Identity, Social Justice Education, Anti-Racism

  Early childhood educators are increasingly responsible for providing culturally sustaining experiences and care to children from multiracial backgrounds. Through critical self-reflection and collaborative learning activities, participants will examine the commonly held misconceptions about the need for anti-racist and anti-bias education and develop strategic ways of incorporating an anti-racist and anti-bias approach into their programs.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint
• Supporting Undocumented Students | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Lorena Tule-Romain, M.Ed. (she/her/hers), Amairani Gomez (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Inclusive Language and Microaggressions, Social Justice Education

  Every year, approximately 98,000 undocumented students graduate from high school, yet only 5-10% of them go onto college. High school counselors and higher education educators practitioners can play an important role in providing resources and guidance on the college admission process and financial aid for undocumented students.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint Resource Guide 10 Strategies by IDRA Breakout Scenario Unafraid Educator Poster
• Understanding Your International Student - Enhancing Student Engagement Through DEI | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Rekha Nair (she/her/hers), Nausheen Qureshi (she/her/hers), Tim Schmidt, M.A. (he/him/his), Jamal King (they/them/their)
  Keywords: Access and Equitable Practices, Ally Development and Coalition Building, Bias Awareness, Identity, Inclusive Language and Microaggressions, Institutional Transformation, Anti-Racism

  Navigating college can be a very challenging experience. This experience can be even more complex for international students who have to learn to cope with the rigors of college while adjusting to a new culture. How are staff and faculty in higher education equipped to assist international students on their journey through college? This workshop will provide a basic cultural and environmental context about the experiences of international students in North Texas to higher education professionals that interact with them on a daily basis.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint
• Walking the Talk: Overturning Biases Throughout Student Interactions (Presented by UNT University Libraries) | Level: Intermediate

  Speaker(s): Essie Timmon, M.A. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Access and Equitable Practices, Bias Awareness, Anti-Racism

  The purpose of this session is to recognize and confront underlying biases during interactions with students and overturning those biases by altering our perspective and language to promote employee and student success.

  Zoom recording

Corporate Track

• Equity Leader Essentials: What Corporate Leaders Need to Know (Presented by )| Level: Intermediate

  Speaker(s): Tanika Byrd, Ed.D. (she/her/hers), Pam Chao, M.A. (she/her/hers) Panelist(s): Jennifer Laflam, M.A. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Institutional Change, Organizational Development, Anti-Racism

  Equity leaders seek to create change that results in equitable outcomes for specific under-resourced groups. To achieve these results and avoid perpetuating the status quo or causing additional harm, leaders must possess and be willing to develop essential knowledge and skills. This session will define and describe these essentials and offer specific strategies for developing as an equity leader.

• Exceeds Standards: Leveraging Employee Evaluations for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (Presented by ) | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Rachel Jackson, M.S. (she/her/hers), Laurel Spurgeon, M.S. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Organizational Development, Promising Practices, Diversity and Inclusion Metrics and ROI

  The employee evaluation. Often a document we only engage with once or twice a year and because we are required to. But, what if thought of employee evaluations more critically? The evaluation is often a lost opportunity, especially when it comes to employees of color. Evaluations provide critical data and are a vital touchpoint supervisors can use to help support and advocate for their employees of color in the workplace. In this session we'll discuss leveraging the evaluation for workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion.

  Zoom recording
• Queer, Dyke, and Other Words | Level: Advanced

  Speaker(s): Elena Joy Thurston (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Identity-Based and Other Diversity Programming, Promising Practices, Recruitment and Retention

  With the recent SCOTUS ruling that prevents discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity, it is more important than ever that organizations understand there is a difference between tolerating LGBTQ employees and valuing them. While only 8% of GenX’rs identify as LGBTQ, 33% of Gen Z currently identifies as LGBTQ. With Baby Boomers currently being in the majority in the workforce, preparation is needed to retain diverse talent and prevent lawsuits. Best practices will be taught and discussed.

  Zoom recording

Concurrent Sessions 2 (11:15 - 12:30 p.m.)

Invitation-Only Conversation with Keynote Speaker Jeff Chang

 

Academic Track

• Adult Social Emotional Competence and Wellness | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Sharon Bradley, M.Ed. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Self-Care

  Educators will deepen their understanding of SEL and engage in reflective experiences to assess their own social emotional health and tend to their own self care. Participants will acquire tools and strategies to incorporate into their daily practice to be primed and ready to effectively support students and their social emotional needs.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint April HeartGram Notes
• Challenging Capitalistic Exploitation: Black Feminist/Womanist Commentary on Work and Self-Care | Level: Advanced

  Speaker(s): Altheria Caldera, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Self-Care

  This presentation reveals how imperialist, capitalist, white supremacist patriarchy can shape the lives of women of color academics. I discuss ways that a toxic work environment along with the myth of meritocracy negatively impacted my physical and mental health, until the COVID-19 slow-down allowed me to engage in self-care. I describe self-care that is rooted in love and political resistance, explain how Black feminist/womanist self-care challenges capitalistic exploitation, and pose important questions about the impact of hard work on Women of Color.

  Zoom recording
• De-Dichotomizing Diversity, Beyond “Whites and Non-Whites” and “Women and Minorities” (Presented by UNT Division of Research & Innovation) | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Audon Archibald, M.S. (he/him/his), Madesen Briggs (she/her/hers)
  Panelist(s): D'Lexis Strickland (she/her/hers), Tironé Tennessee (she/her/hers) Keywords: Identity, Inclusive Language and Microaggressions, Anti-Racism, Workplace Climate

  The words we use in professional communication carry meaning that we may not always intend. In the case of phrases such as “Women and Minorities” or “Whites and Non-Whites”, these phrases may have the intention of conveying an inclusive professional environment, but may on some level be inadequate in conveying the importance of both intersecting marginalized identities and marginalized identities not at the center of mainstream attention. We highlight communication considerations in light of these current perspectives on identity and language.

• Fostering Inclusivity in Classrooms: A Student Perspective | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Elyse Smith (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Access and Equitable Practices, Ally Development and Coalition Building, Bias Awareness

  In this workshop, we will discuss how you can bring issues of race and equity into your classroom, regardless of your discipline, and ways you can create a sense of belonging for all students. With a focus on a student perspective we will think about how we can help you to implement and foster inclusive environments within classrooms and departments.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint
• No Letting Down Anytime Soon: Engaging Today’s Civically-Engaged College Students (Presented by ) | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Brandon Kitchin (he/him/his)
  Keywords: Ally Development and Coalition Building, Bias Awareness, Identity, Institutional Transformation, Privilege and Systemic Oppression, Social Justice Education, Anti-Racism

  In times of pressing and concurrent social issues, higher education has a unique role in both educating and supporting their communities. Educators and professionals should be prepared to engage today’s students who are increasingly involved in leading movements and spreading awareness regarding social change – and whose efforts may not let up until they see what they view as necessary reform. This presentation will prepare participants to facilitate tough but necessary conversations surrounding today’s most pressing social issues.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint
• Unpacked: Stereotype Threat in the Classroom | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Reginald Robinson, M.Ed. (he/him/his)
  Keywords: Access and Equitable Practices, Bias Awareness, Identity, Inclusive Language and Microaggressions, Institutional Transformation, Privilege and Systemic Oppression, Anti-Racism

  Steeped in Dr. Claude Steele’s seminal work on the stereotype threat phenomenon, this engaging learning experience explores the problems with and solutions for stereotype threat within the classroom all learners. Come away with actionable insights to disrupt tacit microaggressions that plague everyday classroom interactions.

Corporate Track

• Are We Doing the Right Things the Wrong Way? | Level: Intermediate​

  Speaker(s): Laura Corkery (she/her/hers)
  Panelist(s): Lisa Amoroso (she/her/hers), Monique Stennis, M.B.A. (she/her/hers) Keywords: Institutional Change, Organizational Development, Identity-Based and Other Diversity Programming

  The intent of diversity and inclusion is to bring people together and create equity and a sense of belonging in the workplace. The current approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion can focus on one cohort or one side of a conversation at a time. This can create a culture of blame, shame, avoidance, dismissal, or exclusion.

  Pre-recorded on YouTube
• Maximizing ROI for ERGs (Presented by ) | Level: Advanced

  Speaker(s): Maiya Winston, CDP (she/her/hers, Black)
  Keywords: Employee Resource Groups, Identity-Based and Other Diversity Programming, Diversity and Inclusion Metrics and ROI

  It’s great for a company to have Employee Resource Groups to support traditionally underrepresented populations within corporate environments, but how do you ensure that these groups are not more than “culture clubs”? During this session, the importance of a defined ERG program structure, metrics and demonstrated connection to company and department business goals will be discussed to ensure your ERGs are both giving and receiving value throughout your enterprise.

  Zoom recording
• Navigating Boundaries in the Workplace with Staff of Color | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Rachel Jackson, M.S. (she/her/hers), Laurel Spurgeon, M.S. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Workplace Climate

  Can I ask this? Can I say that? Sometimes our curiosity and ignorance can get the best of us and we ask questions or make comments which can make our co-workers of color feel uncomfortable. In this session, we will discuss common “boundary crossing” that people of color experience in the workplace, how to avoid those scenarios, and strategies for engaging in a diverse workforce.

  Zoom recording

Keynote Address by Jeff Chang (12:45 - 2:00 p.m.)

Remaking America

America is at a crossroads. How do we make sense of racial inequity and this divided moment? Writer and activist Jeff Chang draws on his own story, the long history of justice movements, and a deep understanding of the tense present to discuss how together as allies and advocates, we might take action to restore hope to our communities and our country.

 

Concurrent Sessions 3 (2:15 - 3:30 p.m.)

Academic Track

• Design for Impact: Organizational DEI Strategic Planning | Level: Intermediate​

  Speaker(s): Jessica Howard, M.A., M.A. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Institutional Transformation, Organizational Development, Diversity and Inclusion Metrics and ROI

  Organizations, institutions, and businesses across the globe have vowed their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in theory. In practice, leaders prioritize short term recruitment investments over transformational culture work, resulting in psychologically unsafe workplaces and revolving doors of talent. This workshop offers practical tools for designing impactful DEI organizational strategy and a theory of change to center historically marginalized experiences and transform culture over time.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint
• Disability and Inclusion | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Jessica Stone, M.S., CRC, LPC (she/her/hers), Randalynn Johnson (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Access and Equitable Practices, Identity, Inclusive Language and Microaggressions, Privilege and Systemic Oppression, Social Justice Education

  Creating a truly inclusive and equitable environment includes acknowledging the benefits and diversity our students bring to our campuses, as well as challenging unconscious or conscious ableist views. Often not known is how intersectionally diverse our students with disabilities are and how to recognize and embrace all of these identities in our practices. This also includes learning how to make our instructional and programming affairs accessible utilizing Universal Design concepts. Our presentation will particularly highlight serving students who are d/Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Visually Impaired.

  Zoom recording
• Equity Leader Essentials: What Academic Leaders Need to Know | Level: Beginner - CANCELED

  Speaker(s): Tanika Byrd, Ed.D. (she/her/hers), Pam Chao, M.A. (she/her/hers) Panelist(s): Jennifer Laflam, M.A. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Institutional Change, Organizational Development, Anti-Racism

  Equity leaders seek to create change that results in equitable outcomes for specific under-resourced groups. To achieve these results and avoid perpetuating the status quo or causing additional harm, leaders must possess and be willing to develop essential knowledge and skills. This session will define and describe these essentials and offer specific strategies for developing as an equity leader.

• Managing Towards Inclusion with Courageous Conversations | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Ticily Medley, Ph.D., LMFT-S (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Ally Development and Coalition Building, Institutional Transformation, Workplace Climate

  Organizations are finding that mid-level and senior managers are often unprepared to have courageous conversations with their employees about issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Several factors are essential for ensuring that these courageous conversations will be growth-oriented or even curative, rather than triggering or toxic. This session will explore bias and inclusion, and provide specific recommendations for preparing managers to engage in courageous conversations.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint Handout
• Student Employment & Social Consciousness: Training for Inclusivity | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Brecken Wellborn, M.A., C.S. (he/him/his), Kevin Sanders, M.S. (he/him/his)
  Keywords: Bias Awareness, Identity, Inclusive Language and Microaggressions, Organizational Development, Social Justice Education

  At UNT, student employees of The Learning Center facilitate thousands of hours of academic support services each year, making them some of the most active members of the UNT community. For this reason, The Learning Center began inclusivity-minded training with its student employees five years ago. This workshop overviews the office’s efforts to develop and facilitate inclusivity-minded trainings, presents qualitative data demonstrating the trainings’ impacts, and helps attendees address questions and concerns related to training student workers outside of the scope of their job duties.

  Zoom recording
• White Ignorance: Creating Teacher Awareness | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): John Essington, Ed.D. (he/him/his)
  Keywords: Access and Equitable Practices, Bias Awareness, Identity, Privilege and Systemic Oppression

  Seventy-nine percent of public school teachers are white. These educators are caring, idealistic individuals who are not racists, but ignorant to the harm caused to minorities due to the default whiteness of schools. This workshop will focus on how to help future and existing educators become aware of their privileges, the biased nature of school systems, and overcome these inequities. This workshop is not centered on guilt, but rather awareness and service to help implement practical change in schools.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint

Corporate Track

• Beyond Bubble Baths: Self Care & Mindfulness | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Rachita Sharma, Ph.D., LPC-S, CRC (she/her/hers), Cassidy Baker, LCSW-S, ASCW (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Self-Care

  With our lives turned upside down because of COVID-19, and not enough bubble baths to keep us feeling mellow all day long, wouldn’t it be nice if instead of having a mind full of worries, we could just be Mindful? Mindfulness is a self-care practice achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations: Daily practice can help us respond to pressures in a calmer manner that benefits our heart, head, and body.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint
• LGBTQ+ 101 - Aspiring Allies Want to Know | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Emily VanKirk, M.Ed. (they/them/their)
  Keywords: Identity, Inclusive Language and Microaggressions

  LGBTQ+ 101 will provide aspiring allies with some of the groundwork needed to begin their own journey of supporting LGBTQ+ persons, including reviewing terminology, discussing some commonly asked questions, and addressing common faux-pas within ally and LGBT+ community relations.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint
• Workplace Policy Reform is Essential to the Pursuit of Equity | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Daniel Murphy (he/him/his)
  Keywords: Workplace Climate

  Hiring and training new employees costs businesses billions of dollars annually. But these same businesses that incur such exorbitant costs are challenged by turnover. What if employers could reduce turnover and increase employee longevity? In this workshop participants will gain a deeper understanding of how the unique obstacles faced by those in poverty contribute to employment separation and how businesses serious about equity can and already are finding tangible solutions to end the cycle of instability through creative and compassionate reforms of workplace policy.

  Zoom recording

Concurrent Sessions 4 (3:45 – 5:00 p.m.)

Academic Track

• 2020: Serving Students During Times of Social Upheaval (Presented by UNT Office of the President) | Level: Intermediate

  Speaker(s): Katie Deering, M.A. (she, they), Marilu Howard, M.S. (she/her/hers) Panelist(s): Anna Marsden, M.A. (she/they), Shabaz Brown (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Access and Equitable Practices, Institutional Change, Social Justice Education

  The year 2020 was...wow. Between a global pandemic, justified civil unrest against police brutality, political discord, economic upheaval, and the normal stresses of teaching and learning, our students dealt with and are still dealing with a myriad of issues. Join our panel including an instructional designer, local activist, and student affairs professional as they discuss ways to support students during a time of unprecedented crisis.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint
• American-Muslim or a Muslim in America? Post 9/11 Realities | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Meena Naik, M.S. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Identity, Institutional Transformation, Privilege and Systemic Oppression, Social Justice Education

  Muslim or American: What identity takes precedence when two 'ways of being' are not seemingly aligned? In a country where racial tensions are high, xenophobia dominates media and policy decisions, and Islamophobia runs rampant, there exists a unique lived experience for many of today's American Muslim college students. Applying frameworks of socialization and racial triangulation, this session will explore how American Muslim epistemologies develop and can be deconstructed within a population that has lived through a racialized post 9/11 America.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint
• #Eagle Dreamers: Intersections of Black and Undocu Lives | Level: Intermediate

  Speaker(s): Mariela Nuñez-Janes, Ph.D. (she/her/ella), Josselyne Sibrian (she/her/hers) Panelist(s): Ashleen Muturi (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Ally Development and Coalition Building, Institutional Transformation, Social Justice Education, Anti-Racism

  The recent uprisings for Black Lives demand radical change. As part of this call to action we consider how we can face the future together by asking: What can we learn from the experiences of Black and Latinx immigrant students? How do these experiences intersect? How can we improve efforts to support undocumented students when account for the intersections of Black and Latinx immigrant students?

  Zoom recording
• Keys to Improving Your Diversity Recruiting Strategy | Level: Intermediate

  Speaker(s): Lesley Regalado, Ed.S. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Organizational Development, Recruitment and Retention, Diversity and Inclusion Metrics and ROI

  Diversity in the workforce is a noble cause to strive for, yet many organizations do not successfully meet the mark. This trend, while a good moral cause, also provides other benefits. A solid recruiting strategy for diversity is a great way to improve performance and innovation, as well as build stronger brands and services.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint
• Protest Music (Presented by UNT Division of Digital Strategy & Innovation) | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Alexandria Gurley, M.A. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Access and Equitable Practices, Identity, Institutional Change, Privilege and Systemic Oppression, Social Justice Education, Anti-Racism

  Music is a universal language and as such this writing workshop will infuse music and poetry as its artistic approach to protest and resistance in times of political and/or social unrest. Texts to be interrogated will be Danez Smith poem Dear White America alongside a playlist of songs of protest ranging from Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit to Kendrick Lamar's Alright.

  Zoom recording Handout
• Teaching Diversity and Health | Level: Intermediate

  Speaker(s): Deborah Kutenplon, DNP (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Access and Equitable Practices, Bias Awareness, Identity, Social Justice Education, Anti-Racism

  To improve health outcomes, students entering healthcare professions must learn to provide culturally sensitive care. This interactive session introduces strategies for designing a cultural diversity and health course, addressing dilemmas such as generalizations vs. stereotypes, creating a safe classroom, helping the fish see water, and using the self to promote learning and connection across differences. Workshop participants will have a chance to experience and debrief several innovative activities that can also be incorporated into general health courses to introduce diversity, equity, and cultural humility.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint Case Study Circle of Identity Introductions Class Schedule Assignments Imagery Exercise
• Navigating Mental Health Challenges within the Latinx Community: ODAAT | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Alicia Kakakios (she/her/hers), Hiliarie Hurtado (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Identity, Self-Care

  18.5% of the United States population identify as Latinx or Hispanic (United States Census Bureau, 2019). Over 16% of that population “reported having a mental disorder in the past year” (Mental Health America, 2020). The purpose of this presentation is to define mental health challenges the Latinx community may face. We will examine the show "One Day at a Time" to provide scenarios. This will include imposter syndrome, familialism, acculturation, depression, anxiety, among other topics.

  Zoom recording PowerPoint Handout

Corporate Track

• How to Make Equity and Diversity Virtually Possible | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Daisy Garcia, M.Ed. (she/her/hers) Panelist(s): Austin Creswell (he/him/his), Latecia Hendricks (she/her/hers), Nancy Zamora, M.S.Ed. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Employee Resource Groups

  Learn how you can create Employee Resource Groups. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are voluntary, employee-led groups that foster a diverse, inclusive campus community upholding the value of Diversity. The ERGs are building a space where students and employees can be authentic, while educating and fostering a community that embraces diversity and inclusion in all aspects of NCTC life.

  Zoom recording AAI Bylaws ALMA Bylaws PEAK Bylaws
• The Unseen Work of the Underrepresented | Level: Beginner

  Speaker(s): Erma Udota, M.S. (she/her/hers), Aundrea Caraway, M.B.A., M.S. (she/her/hers)
  Keywords: Access and Equitable Practices, Organizational Development, Privilege and Systemic Oppression, Recruitment and Retention

  Join us as we follow two new professionals Jason and Kalise through their first year at ABC Incorporated. We’ll see how their identities play a role in their interactions with others, workload, and ultimately their opportunities for promotion and leadership in their company. We’ll also take a look at the practices that could be implemented to make their experiences more equitable.

  Zoom recording

Closing Statements & Post-Conference Discussion (5:15 – 6:00 p.m.)

What are your key takeaways from the conference? How do you wish to apply these key takeaways?

 

Making Your Presentation Accessible

As you deliver your presentation to your audience, assume that some of them will be unable to hear or see you and your content. If offering interactive hands-on activities, be mindful that some people may be unable to raise their hand or move a mouse. Some people may be unable to talk. Some people may not understand you depending on how you convey the information. Below are a few quick tips to help you in making your talk and your presentation materials accessible to everyone.

1. If selected, we require that if you use slides for your presentation, that they be created in Microsoft PowerPoint.
2. Caption everything – videos within PowerPoints need to be captioned before they are added to the presentation because captioning them after the fact is very difficult.
3. If there are interpreters or CART providers as communication access, the providers need to have the presentation early.
4. In your presentation slides, use one standard sans-serif font such as Verdana, Helvetica, or Arial. Use one font only if possible. Ensure font size is adequate for different viewing experiences (e.g., from a distance, on a mobile device).
5. If you are using images and other visual content that is informational, be sure to describe them adequately.
6. If using complex images such as maps or charts, keep high color contrast between text and background and do not rely on color alone to label trends and variables – use, for example, different patterns or full vs. dotted lines.
7. Say all of the information that is presented on the slide.
8. Use plain English when talking, keeping it jargon-free and idiom-free. If using an acronym, state its meaning in full.
9. Share your presentation materials with your audience in advance. Be sure to follow best practices for making your materials accessible.

If you wish to learn more about how to make your presentation materials and your live talk accessible to everyone, check out How to Make Your Presentations Accessible to All.

Questions? Contact Diversity.Inclusion@unt.edu