STEM courses often include complex content—equations, graphs, data tables—that can create significant accessibility barriers for students with disabilities. This session provides STEM faculty with a clear, practical overview of how to make STEM materials accessible. The session will focus on common accessibility challenges in STEM and highlight fixes that faculty can implement without advanced technical skills.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Identify common accessibility barriers in STEM course materials (e.g., math notation, graphs, tables, and PDFs) and explain why these create challenges for students using assistive technologies.
Describe practical strategies and tools for improving accessibility in STEM content, including approaches for math equations, visual data, and structured documents that align with WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
Apply a prioritized approach to remediation by recognizing which fixes are easiest for faculty to implement themselves and where to seek additional support for more complex issues.
The virtual format will be primarily presentational, with brief discussion pauses to address questions and share experiences. Participants will leave with actionable strategies, recommended tools, and resources to begin improving accessibility in their STEM courses. The session will be recorded.
Open to all UMBC and USM faculty, staff, and students. No prior accessibility experience needed.
Presenter: Dr. Sarah Bass, Associate Teaching Professor of Introductory, Analytical and Instrumental Chemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Dr. Bass is a dedicated faculty champion for accessibility, promoting inclusive teaching practices to create a more supportive educational environment for every learner.
Helpful STEM Links to Review:
Accessibility in Math chapter (Digital Accessibility Handbook)
The A11Y Collective's Ultimate Checklist for Accessible Data Visualisations
Continual Engine's How to Make STEM Content Accessible for Students with Visual Impairments
Section508's Accessible Equations and Formulas
Brought to you by:
This session was initially presented as part of the USM Kirwan Center Spring Cleaning 2026 series.
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.
Please RSVP on the event page linked here. ASL interpretation will be provided. Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodation should contact the organizer, slazar@umbc.edu, as soon as possible. In all situations, a good faith effort (up until the time of the event) will be made to provide reasonable accommodation.
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!
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