• Topic: Accessibility Strategies for STEM courses
• Date & Time: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 · 12 - 1 PM
• Event Details:  This session will be hosted via Webex. Register for the event or visit the myUMBC Event post and select "Join Online" to register.

This summer, UMBC is teaming up with the Maryland Department of Disabilities to upgrade nine teaching labs in the Meyerhoff Chemistry Building—marking a major step in fostering inclusive STEM education. The goal: ensure all students, including wheelchair users and those with various disabilities, can fully participate in core chemistry and biochemistry courses.

What's Changing in the Labs?

• Wheelchair-accessible sinks, fume hoods, lab benches, and cabinets

• Lowered equipment stations for independent use

• A research lab redesigned for accessible hands-on experience

Lecture Hall Upgrades Include:

• Wheelchair-accessible seating in multiple locations with fold-down tablets

• TV monitors for better visibility for low-vision students

• Standing desks and seating variations for diverse body types, pregnant students, and orthopedic needs

• Assisted listening tech and designated interpreter areas for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing

Additional accessibility projects include:

• Restroom renovations in the Biological Sciences Building

• Elevator upgrades across multiple academic buildings

“The Office of Accessibility & Disability Services greatly values our longstanding partnership with Facilities Management to assist us in the mission of inclusive access and elimination of barriers for all UMBC community members,” says Tawny McManus, Assistant Vice President for Accessibility.

Learn how these changes are reshaping inclusion in STEM at UMBC: Read more here.

Join the U.S. Congress, Maryland Department of Disabilities  and the disability community within UMBC and beyond to celebrate National Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Day.

National AT Awareness Day honors people with disabilities who require AT to access their education, workplace, community, and recreational activities. The day also recognizes the innovation of researchers, educators, and the dedication of AT specialists and program providers who operate AT programs so that millions of individuals can acquire and use low-cost and often no-cost AT.  

Every state has an Assistive Technology Program that is a resource for its residents - information on Maryland's Assistive Technology program MDTAP is linked here.  MDTAP AT loan libraries are located throughout the state with nine community locations so people can try out devices for suitability before committing to a purchase.  Assistive Technology is in regular use on campus.

Learn more about Maryland's AT High Tech Reuse Program on June 12th via the MDoD webinar, register via this Zoom link - potentially a no-cost option for some Maryland residents.

More information about National Assistive Technology Day is available at the link below.

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland is in nearby Halethorpe and works with Marylanders and vision loss, including connecting with resources for incorporating assistive technology into daily living.  Celebrate with group of AT users this Saturday at their upcoming Brew Reveal.

#ATAwarenessDay #disability #disabilityinclusion

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.

WEBINAR IS ONLINE, SEPTEMBER 16, NOON TO 1 PM

Learn to make your course materials accessible in Blackboard.

During the SP2019 semester, Ally was deployed to courses using Ultra. Ally is available in all courses regardless of course interface starting in SU2019.

Learn about Ally, a new tool to help improve the accessibility of course content in Blackboard. Attend this orientation and demonstration session to see Ally’s powerful file conversion tools for alternative formats. Review the accessibility of your own course materials using the Ally indicator.

Workshop Objectives

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

• Review accessibility guidelines.

• Create alternative, more accessible versions of course content.

• Review key barriers that hinder the accessibility of content.

• Apply changes to content based on recommendations from the Ally accessibility plan.

• Understand and interpret results based on recommended remediation approaches.

• Identify and utilize accessibility tools to create more accessible content.

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

Facilities Management has the following Summer 2019 construction update:

Over the summer numerous construction projects will be taking place on campus, which may impact pedestrian pathways, building access points, roadways and some parking areas. As always, follow directional signage at the construction sites to navigate around these minor disruptions safely and effectively. For additional information please see the current construction activity map for information pertaining to the construction on campus and the summer 2019 accessible routes map for the location of temporary accessible routes where applicable.

Maintaining accessibility is part of the design and construction process. We work in partnership with Accessibility and Disability Services which supports faculty, staff, students and visitors with disabilities. If you have a concern about accessibility, or want to inquire about a disability-based accommodation, please do so through their website, https://accessibility.umbc.edu/

*Cross-posted to broaden exposure