The Division of Institutional Equity joins the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services and our many campus community members in recognizing and honoring Disability Identity Awareness Month. 

Disability Identity Awareness Month, typically observed each October, is a month-long celebration of the history of the disability rights movement and the accomplishments of people with disabilities. At UMBC, our commitment to inclusive excellence means honoring the creativity, culture, and perspectives of our disability communities, focusing on inclusion, joy, and access. This month, the Division of Institutional Equity invites you to engage through our "Read, Watch, Listen, Participate" list. Join the UMBC-based programs by registering below!

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 on Campus

Join us at UMBC events throughout the month to connect and learn together.

October 13 | 4:30 pm – 7 pm | University Center  310

Disability Awareness Month Film Screening: Quad Life 

October 15 | Noon | Hybrid, ILSB 101

Campus Accessibility: Facilities Management & ADS Project Discussion

October 15 | 4 pm | Hybrid

Ancient Studies Week Lecture: Disability and Ideal in Archaic Greek Art

October 17 | Noon | Math & Psychology 222

Accessible Documents and Course Materials: PDFs, PPTs, and more.

Read

Dive into these books that uncover the history, culture, and lived experiences of people with disabilities.

• Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau

• The Pretty One by Keah Brown

• Such a Pretty Girl: A Story of Struggle, Empowerment, and Disability Pride by Nadina Laspina

• Rolling Warrior by Judith Heumann

• Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body by Rebekah Taussig

Watch

Explore films and documentaries that spotlight disability activism, creativity, and everyday resilience.

• Then Babara met Alan (2022)

• Shameless: The Art of Disability (2006)

• Unrest (2017)

• Atypical (2021)

• This Close (2018)

• Love on the Spectrum (Netflix)

Listen

Hear directly from activists, storytellers, and community members shaping disability culture.

• The Accessible Stall podcast 

• Disability Visibility Podcast by  Alice Wong 

• Power Not Pity podcast 

• Talk Disability podcast

• Disability Matters podcast with Joyce Bender

This October, the Division of Institutional Equity has a full lineup of events and opportunities for the UMBC community. All events and opportunities across the division are open to full participation by all community members. Here's how you can get involved!

Office of Accessibility and Disability Services

Accessibility Tour: Wayfinding, Skywalks, and Resources

Join the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services for a guided tour of UMBC's "Campus on a Hill" on October 3rd, 8th and 29th. Accessibility is everyone's responsibility, and this is a great opportunity to learn about campus accessibility features, challenges, and how you can be an effective Accessibility Ally! Registration and additional information about the tours can be found here: [October 3rd] [October 8th] [October 29th]

October 13 | 4:30 pm – 7 pm | University Center:  310 Disability Awareness Month Film Screening: Quad Life 

Join the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services for an exclusive screening of Quad Life, the inspiring story of a young Black father who becomes a quadriplegic and pursues his passion as an artist and sound designer. Popcorn will be provided, and there will be a live Q&A with the main actor after the screening.

October 15 | 12 pm | Hybrid, Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building 101 Campus Accessibility: Facilities Management & ADS Project Discussion

Facilities Management and the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services are hosting a session to review current and planned construction projects that enhance accessibility and improve UMBC's physical environment. Attendees will learn about elevator replacements, accessible design in renovations, and other initiatives, with opportunities to provide input. The event especially values insights from people with disabilities, which may inform projects and UMBC's participation in the AccessMD Program. Registration is required for attendance.

October 21 | 12 pm | Online FMLA & Job Accommodations (Non-Supervisors) 

This session for non-supervisors at UMBC reviews FMLA leave and disability accommodation processes, focusing on supporting employees with their own health conditions. Attendees will strengthen their ability to foster a disability-inclusive workplace and gain a deeper understanding of these processes.

October 27 | 11 am | Online FMLA & Job Accommodations (Supervisors) 

This session for supervisors at UMBC reviews FMLA leave and disability accommodation processes, with a focus on handling accommodation requests and extended leave. Attendees will enhance their ability to foster a disability-inclusive workplace and gain a deeper understanding of these processes.

Office of Equity and Civil Rights

Mandatory Annual Title IX Student Training

UMBC is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the campus community and is committed to maintaining a campus environment that is free from sex discrimination, including both sexual and gender-based harassment and violence. To help meet these goals, UMBC requires all students to complete an online educational program on topics including consent, bystander intervention, sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, stalking, and related topics. All students are required to complete this training at the start of each academic year. The online training can be accessed at UMBC's Vector Solutions login page. For questions, please see the Student Training FAQ page or email ecrtraining@umbc.edu.

October 7 | 3 pm - 4:30 pm | The Commons: Lower Flat Tuesdays
Relationships Unfiltered: The Good, the Bad, and the Toxic

Join UMBC students, faculty, and staff for an open conversation about boundaries, expectations, and communication in relationships. The event will begin with a "Red or Green Flag" activity, followed by a Q&A session where questions about trust, feedback, and respecting boundaries will be discussed by the panelists. 

Community and Culture

October 28 | 1 pm - 3 pm | Online

Fostering Fairness: Bias Awareness Training for Search Committees

This session explores how unconscious biases can affect every stage of recruitment and selection, from evaluating qualifications to determining "fit" and potential. Using real-world examples and research, participants will examine how bias may appear differently in staff versus faculty searches and influence candidate pools, interviews, and final decisions. Through guided exercises and discussion, attendees will learn strategies to identify, interrupt, and reduce bias, promoting fairness and equity in hiring.

Culture Conversations Fall 25

Critical Religious Pluralism: Confronting Hate, Building Belonging

Join us this October for a three-part hybrid series that explores how a values-driven approach can deepen understanding and support for religious diversity. Through interactive sessions, you'll explore the intersections of faith and culture and gain practical skills to foster communities where all beliefs are respected and valued. Register for the sessions here.

Cultural Heritage Month Celebrations

October is LGBTQ+ and Disability History Month. Stay tuned for our 'Read, Watch, Listen, Participate' posts.

Center for Social Justice and Dialogue

October 15 | 11:30 am - 1:30 pm | Virtual

Building Bridges Across Differences: A Dialogue for Everyday Series

Join the Center for Social Justice and Dialogue for the second session of this series, " Understanding Identity in Community". Participants will explore how their visible and invisible identities shape experiences, relationships, and belonging at UMBC. 

Women's, Gender, and Equity Center (WGEC) 

Discussion Group Meetings
Join the Women's, Gender, and Equity Center this month for their weekly discussion group meetings! Connect, share, and grow through spaces like Grad Connect, We Believe You, Rebuilding Manhood, Spectrum, Women of Color Collective, Women and Gender Minorities in STEM, and Head Space. Visit https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/womenscenter/events?mode=upcoming&page=1 for more information and schedules for each group meeting.

October 9 | 4 pm - 5 pm | Virtual

Returning Adult Learners Meeting

Join the Returning Adult Learners Scholars & Affiliates Program to connect, learn, and grow with fellow undergraduate students aged 25 and older returning to college. This meeting will cover Brave Spaces, work-life balance, and ways to feel more supported on campus.

October 22 | 4 pm - 6 pm | The Commons: 329

Start by Believing : Supporting Disclosures of Sexual Violence

This workshop is for faculty and staff who may be the first point of contact for survivors. Participants will learn about the Start by Believing campaign, build confidence in responding to disclosures of sexual assault, harassment, or domestic violence, and help foster a survivor-centered, trauma-informed campus community.

Note: All programs, events, and opportunities are open to full participation by all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and University nondiscrimination policies.

Overall Series Description

This fall's culture conversations is a three-part series that explores how a values-driven approach can deepen understanding and support for religious diversity. The series will address antisemitism, Islamophobia, and biases related to non-western religious and spiritual traditions, which can encompass a wide range of global traditions present at UMBC, including those common in South Asia such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. Together, we will explore the intersections of faith and culture, building the skills to create communities where all beliefs are respected and valued.

A mix of in-person and virtual sessions will be provided this semester.

RSVP here: https://umbc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_09DlqMyjcC3YlBI

Session Descriptions

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.

Creating digital content that works for everyone isn't just a best practice—it's a responsibility. Whether building a syllabus in Google Docs or Microsoft Word, a presentation in PowerPoint, or a budget in Excel, following Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines ensures your work is clear and accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This practice enhances the learning experience for all learners (UMBC's mission of inclusive excellence).

Apply these five guidelines consistently not only to meet accessibility standards, but to improve content clarity and perception for all users.

1. Leverage Built-In Templates, Style Guides

Templates and style tools are designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring consistent structure, proper reading order, and compliant color contrast.

• In Google Docs/Slides and MS Word/PowerPoint, use built‑in heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) instead of manually formatting text.
• Choose official templates that already meet accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG, Section 508).
• In Excel or Google Sheets, use "Format as Table" to define headers and structure data.

Pro tip: Do not skip heading levels—this ensures that screen readers navigate content logically.

2. Simplify and Clarify Language

Plain, well‑organized language reduces cognitive load and improves comprehension.

• Organize ideas in a logical order: introduce, explain, summarize.
• Use active voice and avoid jargon or unexplained acronyms.
• In slides, focus on one idea per slide and use bullet points instead of dense paragraphs.
• Provide clear, direct instructions when assigning tasks or giving direction.

Pro tip: White space is your friend! Don't overcrowd slides or documents.

3. Explain Visuals with Meaningful Alt Text

Alt text allows people using screen readers to understand the purpose of images, charts, and graphics.

• Describe the essential information the image conveys, not just what it looks like.
• Keep it concise—1 or 2 sentences is ideal.
• Avoid phrases such as "image of" or "graphic of" as screen readers already announce the presence and type of the image.
• Mark only images which are decorative so they will be skipped by assistive technology.

Pro tip: Focus on the purpose of the image. What would someone need to understand if they cannot see it?

4. Enhance Perception with Accessible Fonts & Colors

Readability depends on font choice, text size, and color contrast—especially for users with low vision or color blindness.

• Use sans serif fonts for clarity (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Open Sans).
• Avoid all caps, italics, and unneeded underlining (except for links).
• Ensure high color contrast (e.g., dark colors on a light background).
• Do not rely on color alone to convey meaning; use labels or patterns.

Pro tip: Use WebAIM Contrast Checker to verify your color choices.

5. Structure Information in Accessible Tables

Screen readers rely on table headers and logical structure to interpret data.

• Use simple tables—no merged, split, or nested cells.
• Always include a header row and designate it as such.
• Avoid blank cells-- these can confuse navigation for screen readers.
• Confirm that tables are responsive and readable on smaller screens.

Pro tip: In Excel or Google Sheets, name your worksheets clearly so users know what each tab contains.

Bonus: Use Built‑In Accessibility Checkers

Microsoft Office tools have accessibility checkers that flag issues such as missing alt text, poor contrast, or incorrect heading order. Make it a habit to run these before sharing your content.

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.

Resources:

• Digital Accessibility Guidelines Checklist
• Video Recordings (UMBC Login required):
• Create Accessible Content with Google Office Tools (08.18.2025)
• Create Accessible Content with Microsoft Office Tools (08.21.2025)
• Upcoming Event: Practice & Share: Accessible Content with Microsoft Office Tools (10.07.2025)

The Division of Institutional Equity is launching a new series titled "Culture Conversations"– a set of semesterly conversations that deepens our collective understanding of the diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives that shape UMBC. The series will focus on new, relevant themes each semester.

Faculty and staff are invited to participate in engaging discussions with nationally recognized scholars and practitioners from both UMBC and beyond. A mix of in-person and virtual sessions will be provided this semester.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION! More information coming soon! 

All events and opportunities are open to 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.

In today's diverse college classrooms, providing students with options for how they engage with course materials is not just a convenience - it's a critical component of effective teaching. By proactively incorporating alternative formats that support diverse learning needs, we can create a more inclusive environment that fosters success for all students.

Leverage Ally's Alternative Formats

An effective tool for utilizing alternative formats is Anthology Ally, available in Blackboard, which automatically transforms course content into a variety of accessible formats. By using Ally, instructors can provide students with the power to choose the format that best suits their learning style, device, or situation. 

Ally can generate alternative versions of PDFs, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint files, and even content created within the learning management system's editor. These alternative formats include:

• Audio (MP3): Great for students who learn best by listening, or those who want to review content while commuting or performing other tasks.
• Mobile-Friendly HTML and ePub: Perfect for students accessing content on a smartphone or tablet, as the text adapts to the screen size, eliminating the need to zoom in and out.
• Immersive Reader and BeeLine Reader: These formats use features like color gradients and improved spacing to enhance focus and readability, which can be a game-changer for students with dyslexia, have other reading-related challenges, or want to reduce eye fatigue.

Three Ways to Integrate Ally into Your Course

1. Let Students Know This Option Exists

Many students are unaware of the alternative formats available to them. Make it a point to highlight this feature early and often.

• Syllabus Statement: Include a brief section in your syllabus explaining what Ally is and how to access its features. Include a tutorial video or student guide.
• Course Announcement: Post an announcement at the beginning of the term and periodically remind students about the options, especially before heavy reading weeks.
• Point it Out: When uploading files, make a note in the description to draw attention to the Ally "A" icon, helping students make a visual connection to the tool.
  

2. Connect Formats to Learning Needs

In addition to pointing out Ally to your students, explain how different formats can support different learning styles. For example, suggest the audio format for auditory learners or highlight the HTML version for students who prefer to read on their phone. This helps students recognize how these options can benefit their preferred learning styles.

3. Encourage Students to Choose for Their Situation 

Frame alternative formats as a flexible tool for everyone, not just for those with official accommodations. A student might choose to listen to an audio file while preparing dinner, or they might prefer a mobile-friendly version for reading on the bus. This approach helps destigmatize the use of accessibility features and reinforces the idea that learning is not a one-size-fits-all process.

Join us in The Mosaic (Commons 2b23) biweekly on Thursdays 3:00pm - 4:30pm for SistaCare!

"Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare."

SistaCare is a community-care and dialogue group that explores the ways undergraduate and graduate students who identify as Black/Africana women and femmes, regardless of their gender expression, experience campus communities. Weekly sessions will explore experience, impact, and connection and are open to all individuals regardless of their sex, gender, race, ethnicity, or national origin. Come to learn, share, and connect!

This semester's sessions are as follows:

• 9/25: Kickoff: Who are We?
  (RSVP here)

• 10/9: Representation and Socialization

• 10/23: Intersecting Identities and Intersectionality

• 11/6: Bodies + Body Politics - All Shapes and Sizes

• 12/4: Skin + Hair and the Spectrums of Color and Texture

• 12/18: Radical Care and Reflection

To request accommodation(s) or to inquire about event accessibility, please get in touch with us via email, csjdialogue.umbc.edu, with "Sistacare" in the subject line. 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.