This event is canceled due to low enrollment. Please register for the June 3rd session.
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Join us for the Course Roadmap to Equity (CoRE) Digital Accessibility Summer Camp -- the hands-on companion to UMBC's self-paced training.
What does it actually look like to make a STEM course accessible when your content is dense with equations, data tables, and lab diagrams? How do you handle accessibility in a world languages course where audio and script are central to instruction? What about fine arts, where images aren't decoration -- they are the content?
Digital accessibility isn't one-size-fits-all, and the challenges you face in your discipline or role are worth more than a generic checklist. With the fall semester on the horizon, there's no better time to audit your course materials, tackle the accessibility issues that have been on your list, and build practices that will carry forward. UMBC's goal of an 85% Blackboard Ally score across all courses by the end of 2026 means every improvement counts -- and every course matters.
Objectives:
Identify and prioritize accessibility issues in your own materials using Blackboard Ally.
Explore accessibility strategies for discipline-specific content types, including images, documents, audio, video, and data-rich materials.
Collaborate with peers through small group discussions and breakout activities focused on shared challenges.
Develop a concrete action plan for implementing accessibility improvements for the fall semester.
This three-hour virtual session uses a flipped format: participants complete the specific content before the event, so our synchronous time together is reserved for going deeper -- with discipline-specific discussions, guided hands-on activities, and small group breakouts where you can work through the challenges specific to your course.
CoRE DA Summer Camp is also a pathway to a digital accessibility microcredential. Participants who complete their CoRE modules and submit the optional activities become eligible to earn that credential, recognizing their commitment to accessible course design.
About the Summer Camp
Session 1: June 3 (12 PM - 3 PM): Fine Arts & Humanities
Session 2: June 10 (12 PM - 3 PM): STEM & Social Sciences
This event will be facilitated by staff from Instructional Technology.
Before You Attend — Required Pre-Work
This workshop uses a flipped model, which means the session time is reserved for hands-on practice and discussion rather than introductory content. To participate, you will need to:
Enroll in CoRE — Review the FAQ to learn how to self-enroll. If you need help, please open an RT ticket.
Complete CoRE Modules 1 and 2 (Strive for 85 and Accessible Images) before the event date.
If you haven't enrolled yet, plan for approximately 90 minutes to complete the pre-work. Participants who arrive without completing the modules will not be able to take full advantage of the session. Other modules are recommended, depending on the type of content you use in your course and the accessibility priorities for your instructional materials.
Joining the Session
To RSVP, click "Sign Up" in the myUMBC event. Registered participants will receive a calendar invitation from the event host at least one week before the event. The calendar invitation will include the meeting link.
At least 5 registrations are needed for this session to proceed as scheduled. The session will be recorded.
Prior to the Event
For the best viewing experience, we recommend using Chrome, Brave, or Firefox (most recent updates). Closing unnecessary browser tabs will help conserve your bandwidth.
If this is your first time joining one of our webinars, please review the requirements to use Google Meet. Learn how to connect your audio & video, change/blur your background, and use reactions. You can also review accessibility support including live captions.
Please note: UMBC is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. If you would like to request accommodations (e.g., ASL interpreters, captioning, wheelchair access, etc.) for this event, please notify us at least two weeks prior to the event. Requests received after that time cannot be guaranteed, but we will do our best to make arrangements for program access. Please contact the event host (instructionaltechnology@umbc.edu) with your specific request and be sure to include the event title, date, and time.
]]>**This session is for supervisors only**
UMBC is proud to continue its support of alternative work arrangements (AWA) to support flexibility while maintaining collaboration, service, and academic excellence. This session gives supervisors a practical overview of UMBC's AWA program and their role in supporting their employees. In this session, we will clarify the differences between various types of arrangements, identify the supervisor's role in assessing when AWA is appropriate, review the process for completing and approving a PeopleSoft AWA request, and highlight team best practices regarding space, technology, communication, and connection that help ensure success. Participants will also have time at the end of the session for Q&A.
Describe an overview of UMBC's AWA program and its goals
Differentiate between AWA program types and eligibility criteria
Identify the supervisor's role in evaluating when AWA requests are appropriate
Understand the process for reviewing, completing, and approving a PeopleSoft AWA request
Identify best practices related to space, technology, communication, and connection that support successful implementation for teams
Apply consistent, thoughtful decision-making that balances flexibility with collaboration, service, and academic excellence
UMBC is proud to continue its support of alternative work arrangements (AWA) to support flexibility while maintaining collaboration, service, and academic excellence. This session gives employees a practical overview of UMBC's AWA program. In this session, we will clarify the differences between various types of arrangements, explain when requests may be appropriate, walk through the PeopleSoft request process at a high level, and highlight the technology, communication, and connection best practices that help support success. Participants will have a space at the end of the session for Q&A.
Describe an overview of UMBC's Alternative Work Arrangements program
Differentiate between AWA program types and eligibility criteria
Identify when AWA requests are appropriate
Understand the process to complete a PeopleSoft AWA request
Identify best practices regarding technology, communication, and connection that ensure success
Join us for a special edition of Supervisor Connects!
Managing a team during times of extreme uncertainty and upheaval provide unique challenges for us as supervisors. Learning to navigate complex times and complex relationships requires that we know and manage ourselves, maintain healthy open communication, and create a healthy, supportive, and productive environment that enables our people to thrive and bring their best.
As we consider solutions to the challenges that we individually and collectively face, we often are served by the wisdom of our peers. Hybrid work removes us from those helpful, often uber-productive coffee chats and water cooler conversations where we share our struggles and brainstorm solutions to both individual and common supervisory issues.
Supervisor Connects has been created as your dedicated space for this conversation. This is a time to share, support, and learn from each other. Every meeting will explore a common supervisory issue that the group will determine ahead of time. A variety of resources to explore this issue will be utilized - from TED talks, to articles, to interviews with campus experts, etc. A mix of dialogue, activity, and open space for coaching will be included. This is a chart-your-course kind of experience...we will take conversations where YOU want to go in an effort to most serve you in your role as a leader at UMBC and beyond.
This month's session will be devoted to looking at the TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/tsedal_neeley_4_ways_to_make_hybrid_work_better_for_everyone
This conversation will be facilitated by UMBC's Talent Learning & OD unit within Human Resources & Strategic Talent Management. We welcome you to join us for these exploratory, productive, and hopefully meaningful conversations!
Participants will receive a link with the credentials for the session 24 hours beforehand.
UMBC is proud to continue its support of alternative work arrangements (AWA) to support flexibility while maintaining collaboration, service, and academic excellence. This session gives employees a practical overview of UMBC's AWA program. In this session, we will clarify the differences between various types of arrangements, explain when requests may be appropriate, walk through the PeopleSoft request process at a high level, and highlight the technology, communication, and connection best practices that help support success. Participants will have a space at the end of the session for Q&A.
Describe an overview of UMBC's Alternative Work Arrangements program
Differentiate between AWA program types and eligibility criteria
Identify when AWA requests are appropriate
Understand the process to complete a PeopleSoft AWA request
Identify best practices regarding technology, communication, and connection that ensure success