Have you met Ally?  Sign up for a proper introduction with Instructional Technology's training here:  https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/79747

When:  February 12th at noon

Where: Online - from the comfort of where you access Blackboard!

From Instructional Technology on the what-to-do:

Come to this webinar and learn about Ally and what it can do to help you remediate course materials to improve accessibility for all. This orientation will showcase Ally’s powerful file conversion tools that provide alternative formats and expand students' options about how they want to engage with content.

This session will also help you move beyond content remediation into a more proactive approach, one where you find or create more accessible course materials from day one.

Finally, we will review strategies on how to create accessible content, including tools to help with Word documents, PDFs, PowerPoint, lecture videos, and images.

Workshop Objectives

Upon completion of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Review key barriers that hinder the accessibility of content.
• Interpret Ally indicators and reports to effectively remediate course materials. 
• Review Ally's alternative formats available to students.
• Identify accessibility tools that help you create accessible content. 
• Create a basic strategy to address content accessibility in your course, including which tools you plan to use.

The webinar will take place in a Blackboard Collaborate virtual conference room. Use the link below to enter the webinar up to 15 minutes before the start time:

For more information about Ally at UMBC, please see this announcement and the FAQ collection.

Facilities Management and the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services are hosting a review of recent, current and potential construction projects that enhance accessibility, improve the physical environment of UMBC, and benefit the entire community. There are new projects on the horizon, and your ideas, suggestions and feedback will inform the process for UMBC's continued participation with the AccessMD Program. 

If you have any remaining questions or suggestions prior to the discussion contact Celso Guitian in Planning and Construction Services via cguitian@umbc.edu / 410-455-5578 or Stephanie Lazarus, ADA/Section 504 Coordinator via slazar@umbc.edu / 410-455-5745. If you cannot attend, but have ideas for additional projects, please reach out to us, we want to hear from you!

Facilities Management has shared that the RAC Renewal Renovation project is scheduled to begin as soon as the 2019 fall semester ends on 12/20/2019.  This post is excerpted from their "projects" website, which has illustrations and a map of the shifted accessible routes.

The eighteen-month project will start in the center fieldhouse portion of the building and end in the three-court gym portion of the building in July 2021.

During construction, the front lobby continues as the main building entry and the elevator will remain accessible.

Multi-phased construction sequencing will allow for continued use of a pool and scheduled recreation programs.

Phase 1 construction will close selected area of the RAC between 12/20/2019 and 3/22/2020.

As you review the Phase 1 closure plans below, note the following items:

• Spaces closed for phase 1 construction include the track, varsity weight room, and the fieldhouse courts.
• During this phase, there will be no interior connection to the pool.  Instead the pool lobby doors on the Sondheim side of the building will serve as the pool access point.
• For an accessible routes to and from the aquatics complex and pool please reference the attached December 13, 2019 pdf.The lower level exterior doors on the tennis court side will be for construction access only except for emergency egress and a designated service delivery.

Each year on December 3rd, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is honored as the United Nation's commitment for promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of disability that affects people around the world.