Disabled People Shaping UX and Accessibility in Higher Ed

About this session

How can higher education institutions involve disabled people in shaping more accessible digital experiences? In this panel, three university UX and accessibility leaders will share approaches to partnering with disabled students, staff, and community members through UX research, usability testing with people who use assistive technology, and accessibility labs powered by student workers. Panelists will discuss how they got started, challenges they have encountered, and lessons for building UX and accessibility practices with disabled people rather than simply designing for them. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for beginning or expanding this work within their own organizations.

Presenters

Lead UX Researcher Arizona State University
Deputy Digital Accessibility Officer, CU Boulder Digital Accessibility Office University of Colorado Boulder
Manager – Digital Accessibility Services Harvard University

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Victoria (she/her) is a Lead UX Researcher at Arizona State University, where she leads the UX Research and Accessibility practice. Guided by ASU’s charter, which states that the university is “measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed,” her team partners with disabled people throughout the product development lifecycle to create more inclusive digital experiences. Victoria brings more than a decade of accessibility advocacy to her work, with experience spanning UX research, UX design, UI engineering, and leadership.

Victoria’s Sessions

Disabled People Shaping UX and Accessibility in Higher Ed

February 24th, 2027 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM EST Accessible design

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Mike (he/him) has worked in the fields of accessibility, assistive technology (AT), and disability services for 20 years. Mike has a Master of Science degree in Assistive Technology and Human Services from California State University Northridge and is a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). Mike has also worked as a certified assistive technology trainer, accessibility consultant, and director of a low vision and blindness support center. He oversees digital accessibility assessment, usability, training, outreach, and procurement activities within the CU Boulder Digital Accessibility Office. Mike also teaches multiple courses in accessibility and assistive technology at California State University, Northridge.

Mike’s Sessions

Disabled People Shaping UX and Accessibility in Higher Ed

February 24th, 2027 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM EST Accessible design

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Janell Sims (she/her) has worked as a content strategist, UX advocate, and accessibility practitioner for over 15 years in higher ed. She currently manages a team of Digital Accessibility Consultants at Harvard University as part of an initiative to incorporate the principles of accessibility and inclusive design into all aspects of the digital experience. She is also the accessibility lead on the university's first platform-wide design system.

Janell’s Sessions

Disabled People Shaping UX and Accessibility in Higher Ed

February 24th, 2027 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM EST Accessible design

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The Axe-con 2027 call for presenters is now closed.

Victoria Polchinski

Victoria’s Sessions

Mike Williamson

Mike’s Sessions

Janell Sims

Janell’s Sessions

Disabled People Shaping UX and Accessibility in Higher Ed

About this session

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The Axe-con 2027 call for presenters is now closed.

Victoria Polchinski

Victoria’s Sessions

Mike Williamson

Mike’s Sessions

Janell Sims

Janell’s Sessions