UMBC Faculty receive course accessibility mini-grants from Kirwan Center

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 10:04:53 -0400
ally, biro, digital-accessibility, hawken, mini-grant, usm

Two UMBC faculty were selected by the William E. Kirwan Center for Academic Innovation to participate in the Boosting Course Accessibility mini grant program. This initiative aims to enhance the digital accessibility of courses across USM institutions and help ensure that all students have equitable access to course materials.

Dr. Laura Rose, Associate Teaching Professor and Psychology Program Director at UMBC Shady Grove, and Dr. Ming Xie, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency and Disaster Health Systems, will receive funding and support to redesign their courses with accessibility in mind, including implementing universal design principles that benefit all learners.

The project will identify and address barriers in course materials, learning activities, and assessments, building long-term capacity for inclusive design across their departments. The mini grant program aligns with USM's commitment to creating inclusive learning environments where all students can succeed regardless of disability status.

Citing a strong personal interest in accessibility and a commitment to inclusive teaching practices, Dr. Rose hopes to "gain strategies for designing accessible course materials and assignments and using technology in ways that support diverse learning needs" from participating in the program. Prioritizing accessibility is "both timely and essential," she continued, particularly with upcoming requirements for all digital content to be accessible by early 2026.

Image: Dr. Laura Rose (left) and Dr. Ming Xie (right)

"I am honored to receive this mini grant," said Dr. Xie. "The funding will allow me to advance digital accessibility initiatives that enhance student learning and foster an inclusive educational environment."

EDHS Department Chair Dr. Lauren Clay described professor Xie as "student-centered and motivated to champion accessibility at UMBC" and looks forward to learning from her participation in the mini grant as the department prioritizes accessibility across newly revised undergraduate and graduate programs.

Working closely with Kirwan Center staff, Drs. Rose and Xie join fifteen other faculty in USM, representing diverse disciplines across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; social sciences; humanities; business; education; and health professions.

Ready to take the first step toward course accessibility? Visit UMBC's Digital Accessibility site or run an Ally course report today. Support is also available from Student Disability Services and Instructional Technology.