Click here to register for the series

Questions? Reach out to hrbenefits@umbc.edu

MSRP webinars are open to all Faculty and Staff. 

Click here to Register. All webinars are approximately 45 minutes in length.

The APPQMR is the prerequisite for QM's Higher Ed Peer Reviewer Course, which is required to become a QM-Certified Peer Reviewer. Since 2019, more than 50 UMBC faculty, staff, and students have completed the APPQMR workshop. Several UMBC faculty have gone on to become QM-Certified Peer Reviewers or Master Reviewers.

Workshop Details and Schedule

• Format & Schedule: Workshop format is asynchronous online via Canvas. *NOTE: This workshop is not self-paced. It has firm due dates for all required assignments and revisions. Potential participants should review QM's Schedule & Checklist in advance of being enrolled. The schedule outlines expectations and required deadlines. Certified facilitators review, offer feedback, and grade activities.
• Time commitment: A minimum of 7-9 hours per week is recommended for achieving the learning objectives. The schedule includes daily time estimates to help participants manage their time and stay on track.
• Course Length: Three weeks, excluding holidays (January 6-27, 2026)

To be enrolled into this workshop or if you have additional questions, please contact Dr. Susan Biro, one of UMBC's QM coordinators, no later than 12 PM, Friday, January 2. 

(Image: Decorative, Quality Matters logo)

The Division of Institutional Equity joins the Indigenous Peoples Union and our many campus community members in recognizing and honoring Native American Heritage Month.

National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November to honor the traditions, languages, and stories of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island communities, ensuring their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. This month, the Division of Institutional Equity invites you to engage through our "Read, Watch, Listen, Participate" list to celebrate, connect, and explore on and off campus.

To request accommodation(s) or to inquire about event accessibility, please get in touch with each program office directly. All sessions are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy..

Events
November 15 | 2pm - 6pm | Timonium Fairgrounds
Indigenous Peoples Union Retreat 

Join IPU at the Baltimore American Indian Center's 49th Powwow to engage in sacred intertribal celebrations of life, heritage, and community. More information about the event, registration and transportation can be found here.

Explore

Engage in a virtual tour to learn about American Indian Historic Spaces and Places in East Baltimore, a project by Dr. Ashley Minner, a former UMBC professor.

Read

• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot
• Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith
• Lost Kingdom: Hawaii's Last Queen, the Sugar Kings and America's First Imperial Adventure by Julia Flynn Siler
• We Are Water Protectors by  Carole Lindstrom

Watch

• Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner.
• Rez Ball
• Te Ata
• The Grizzlies
• Rutherford Falls (comedy series) 

Listen

• All My Relations podcast
• Native Pride playlist 
• Toasted Sister Podcast
• Indigenous Music Spotlight playlist 

Instructional Technology is pleased to offer four workshops on digital accessibility and Ally, available at no cost to UMBC faculty and staff, through July 31, 2026 using a special registration link and code. Created by Blackboard, the available workshops are designed to give you practical skills and a deep understanding of creating accessible and inclusive course content.

Workshop #1: Accessibility Fundamentals

This foundational training is designed to provide participants with a broad understanding of accessibility issues in educational environments. Participants will learn how disabilities can limit access to electronic instructional materials and what they can do to make their course content as accessible as possible to the greatest number of learners.

Workshop #2: Writing Effective Alt Text

Alternative text is a key component of digital accessibility, ensuring that all learners can engage with visual content. Participants will begin with the fundamentals of alternative text, exploring its definition, significance, and how context shapes what makes it meaningful and effective. In addition to learning how to write high-quality alt text, participants will receive practical instruction on how to add alt text in commonly used tools such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat. 

Workshop #3: Introducing Ally to Learners

Creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment goes beyond just providing accessible content -- it requires clear, intentional communication with students. Introducing Ally to Learners is designed to help instructors effectively engage with students about accessibility and empower them in their use of Ally's Alternative Formats.

Workshop #4: Empowering Learners with Ally's Alternative Formats

This training introduces the alternative formats available through Ally and explores how they support a more inclusive and flexible learning experience for all students. Participants will gain an understanding of each format -- including audio, electronic Braille, BeeLine Reader, HTML, ePub, etc. -- along with practical use cases that highlight when and how learners might benefit from each option. 

How to Get Started

There is a special process for UMBC faculty and staff to access this subscription for free, and to enroll in these workshops. Please open an RT ticket to receive the special instructions, registration code, and workshop links.

We encourage UMBC faculty and staff to take advantage of this valuable resource to further your digital accessibility training and professional development! Faculty who complete all four workshops and submit certificates to Instructional Technology can earn the new Accessibility A11y meta microcredential. Certificates must be submitted using this Google Form by the end of SP2026.

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

Don't forget: Tuesday, November 18 is Fix Your Course Content Day! This one-day push is a chance for faculty, staff, and instructional designers to review Ally accessibility reports, make fixes, and strengthen our commitment to inclusive teaching.