"Marketing" Your Office: Let's Give Them Something to Talk About
Kristie Orr, Ph.D., Texas A&M University
Ashley Brickley, Ph.D., University of Missouri
Monday, February 9, 2-3:30 Eastern
Are disability issues and accessibility being talked about on your campus? Do the challenges of being a disabled student get as much attention as those of other marginalized groups? On many campuses, the answer to these questions is “no.” The presenters will share their experiences and specific examples of promoting visibility of barriers for disabled students and the importance of accessibility on two college campuses. Participants will also be encouraged to share stories from their own campuses as we learn how we can continue to work toward a culture of accessibility on our campuses.
Did you miss this live webinar? You can now purchase the "Marketing Your Office" webinar recording and presentation materials!
Is Equity in Disability Services a Bad Word?
Karen Andrews, University of Arizona
Thursday, February 12, 2-3:30 Eastern
As disability services professionals, how do we achieve equity and practice principles of equity in our daily work in today’s political climate? What does “equity” really mean compared to “equal”? During this session, we will explore disability positionality in our institutions and how equity still applies even if we never say the word. As a compliance office, what is our responsibility or obligation to provide equitable opportunities for success for disabled students, faculty, and staff? The principles shared during this session should be “as natural as breathing” and should be standard best practices rather than stand-alone efforts. Attendees will understand not just the definition of equity but will also learn how to practically apply the principles in the daily work of the disability services office. This session will be informative, relevant, and practical, and each attendee should go home with ways to apply what was shared.
Avoiding the Career Cul-de-Sac: Further Opportunities for Disability Professionals
Marra Piazza Brass, Bridgewater College
Crystal Hill, Stanford University
Ann Knettler, GrackleDocs
David Parker, Gregory S. Fehribach Center
Stephan Smith, AHEAD (Moderator)
Wednesday, March 11, 2-3:30 Eastern
We sometimes hear from peers, or perhaps think ourselves, that this profession can feel like a dead end sometimes. Once you reach a certain level, it can feel like there is no more opportunity for promotion. Or the feeling of burnout can cause people to reconsider staying in the field altogether. However, there are many ways to remain in the disability field while still advancing and achieving your career goals and finding personal meaning in the work without burning out.
Whether you're curious about a move into higher ed upper administration, the private sector, public sector, nonprofits, or self-employment, join this panel to hear about the varied personal paths from the disability office to other disability-related positions using the knowledge and skills gained there. Panelists will address your questions and describe their own journeys, including what they did to prepare themselves for their next steps. Your disability expertise can be applied in so many ways—come learn how you can continue to contribute to this wonderful field from many different stations.
“We’ve Got a Group Chat for That”: Building Peer Networks Among Disability Service Providers
Shelbie D’Annibale, M.S., Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Theresa M. Hoover, Ph.D., Gettysburg College
Tuesday, March 31, 2-3:30 Eastern
Disability services professionals often navigate complex, nuanced situations where the “right” answer isn’t always clear. In these moments, having a trusted network of peers can be invaluable. This session explores the creation of a regional peer mentorship group made up of colleagues working in disability services offices in varying types of institutions. What began as occasional meetups has grown into an ongoing, supportive community where members tackle challenging scenarios, share resources, and strengthen one another’s professional judgment. Attendees will learn how to initiate similar peer networks, hear real (anonymized) examples of how collaboration has informed practice, and walk away with immediately implementable tools and strategies to foster meaningful, ethical, and sustainable professional connections in their own states/regions.
Assessing and Reframing the Housing Accommodation Process
Sara Rotunno, M.A., Colorado College
Natalie Garro, Colorado College
Tuesday, April 7, 2-3:30 Eastern
Are you overwhelmed by housing accommodations? Do you find students and parents are struggling to understand why you “won’t help” them get a single, a private kitchen, or an apartment? Are consistency, equity, and civil rights an important part of your decision-making process? Join us to learn the steps we took to assess and revamp the housing accommodation process at Colorado College, a small private liberal arts college with a three-year live on requirement. Assessing the essential elements of your campus housing program, evaluating institutionally imposed barriers, and navigating support resources can help streamline the housing process and provide a metric to determine reasonable accommodations for students. Participants in this session will evaluate aspects of their own process, interact with online questions and case studies, and be provided with tools to support assessing and revamping housing accommodation processes to ensure equity and access for those with disabilities.
Little Changes, Big Impact: Enhancing Disability Services Through Small-Scale Innovations and Collaborations
Ryan McCombs Ph.D., Ivy Tech Community College
Hanna Lewis M.S.W., University of Denver
Wednesday, April 8, 2-3:30 Eastern
This webinar explores how small adjustments and strategic partnerships can transform disability services. It demonstrates that low-cost changes, combined with intentional campus collaborations, lead to significant gains in accessibility, inclusion, and student success. By utilizing existing resources and connecting with faculty, staff, student groups, and community organizations, disability service professionals can expand their reach without increasing budgets or staffing. The webinar includes case studies and best practices on small-scale innovations, such as digital accessibility improvements, sensory-friendly spaces, and staff training enhancements, all of which reshape student experiences. Attendees will gain practical ideas for fostering partnerships that share responsibility for access and inclusion, building a supportive campus culture for students with disabilities. Participants will leave with actionable strategies for implementing incremental changes and building effective partnerships, offering insights into how small steps can create a lasting impact on campus.
Ask and You Shall Not Necessarily Receive
Adam Meyer, University of Central Florida
Thursday, April 16, 2-3:30 Eastern
Numerous listserv posts begin with the assumption that an accommodation should be implemented because the student requests it. However, our job is not to simply deliver whatever a student wants as an accommodation. This session will allow disability resource providers to reflect on the tripwires that may cause us to "put the cart before the horse" with our process and decision-making, perhaps without intentionally realizing it. With knowledge of potential tripwires that may be in play, the session will then explore how to make more informed decisions regarding reasonable accommodations by offering an accommodation analysis framework. This session is useful for new professionals and those who would like a reflective “tune-up” of their professional practices.
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