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Pre-Conference Recorded Sessions
Welcome to our Pre-Conference--a little taste of what is to come to get you energized and excited for ASC 2025!
Read on to access pre-conference presenter bios, session descriptions, resources, and recording links. Start from the top and peruse all four sessions, or select a session name to jump to its section and resources:
PC1: Picture Smart and Optical Character Recognition Software:
Resolve the Visual Barriers of the Students with Visual Impairments in Educational Accessibility
Presented by:
Rachelle Buenaventura, Graduate Faculty Assistant
at Old Dominion University
Session Description:
Persons with visual impairments cannot identify the visual characteristics and figures of a photo in the computer and mobile phones. They wouldn’t be able to know the faces, background and actions taken on the camera. They wouldn’t be able to imagine the colors and appreciate the structure presented on websites. They wouldn’t be able to read the scanned files and screenshots given in class. Through the advanced features of the screen readers, they can now get access to these items digitally. Picture Smart and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software will break and resolve these visual problems so that they will get the equal access and opportunity to grasp the printed materials and the digital platforms. Moreover, they would be able to develop independence, social participation, and educational success.
Speaker Bio:
I am a graduate student from Old Dominion University, Norfolk Va since January 2024. I have visual impairment and I am taking Master's in Special Education. I plan to teach students with exceptional needs after graduation. I want to assist and help them in any way I can to address their unique needs. I also work as a graduate faculty assistant in my department, where I do research projects that are essential for special education. Before my graduate studies, I finished my undergrad in the Philippines where I took Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Philippine Women's University.
Presentation Information & Materials
PC2: Don't Get Stuck in Crisis Mode:
2E Advocacy, Navigating Hard News, and the Accessibility of Making Hard Decisions
Presented by:
Megan Cannella, Director of Outreach
at the Davidson Institute
Session Description:
Commitment to justice, black and white thinking, and other gifted/twice-exceptional (2e) characteristics inform the ways we understand and process hard news. When policies or resources change and certain advocacy options aren’t accessible, it’s hard to know how to move forward. Let’s explore how to discuss hard news through a gifted/2e lens and how to find a way to next steps, thus promoting increased academic, intellectual, and social-emotional accessibility.
Speaker Bio:
Director of Outreach, Davidson Institute - Megan Cannella is the Director of Outreach at the Davidson Institute, where she has worked since 2019. Before that, she taught college-level humanities courses for almost a decade. Megan's outreach role focuses on advocacy and equity for neurodivergent learners. Contact Megan at mcannella@davidsongifted.org.
Presentation Information & Materials
PC3: Accessibility of Supports for Gifted Learners using the MTSS Process
Presented by:
Lesley Hellman, Gifted Instructional Coach at Tipp City Schools
Kari Hake, Instructional Coach and Literacy Specialist at Tipp City Schools
Dawn Scott, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Tipp City Schools
Katherine Weaver, Principal of Tippecanoe High School, Tipp City Schools
Session Description:
This session will explore the overlap of inclusion and accessibility for students by using the MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) process to support diverse learners in the elementary grade band. Diverse learners can range in their needs and include those students identified as gifted. Emphasis will be placed on digital tools and interventions to create engaging and enriching opportunities for gifted learners. The MTSS framework utilizes Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 structures focused on individual student interventions and progress monitoring for student growth and success.
Speaker Bios:
Lesley Hellman is an educator with over twenty years of experience in classrooms ranging from K-12 to Higher Education. She has held the title of classroom teacher, gifted intervention specialist, and Teacher-in-Residence as full time faculty at University of Dayton. Currently, she works as the Gifted Instructional Coach through the Midwest Regional Education Service Center. In her role as instructional coach she supports middle school staff in their reflection on practices of instruction related to diverse learners. Her publications and research interests include; teacher selection, gifted education, and teacher education. She earned an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Notre Dame College, a Master Degree in Educational Leadership from Wright State University, and a Ph.D in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton.
Kari Hake serves as an Instructional Coach and Literacy Specialist. She leads staff in instruction and differentiation to improve the service of all students from intervention to gifted. She also oversees literacy coordination K-12. Kari worked as a kindergarten teacher for 25 years. She holds an undergraduate degree from Miami University, a Masters degree from Wright State University, and a Structured Literacy Certificate. Kari also was featured in a State of Ohio and PBS video called "Kari Hake Kindergarten Inside the Classroom ELA Public Broadcasting Service and Ohio Department of Education Kindergarten Video" part of a parent outreach program.
Dawn Scott is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Tipp City Schools near Dayton, OH. Her focus is to influence the accomplishment of the district’s educational goals through the development, planning, and implementation of curriculum, professional development, school improvement initiatives, and the overall district education program. She believes in promoting collective teacher efficacy, building trust, maintaining high expectations, and creating innovative processes to enhance student growth and achievement. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Miami University; she also holds a Master of Education from The Ohio State University and a Master of Educational Leadership from Ashland University.
Katherine Weaver is the Principal of Tippecanoe High School, Tip City Schools.
Presentation Information & Materials
PC4: Inclusive Insights – Shaping the Future of Accessible Research
Presented by:
Steve Levine, Senior Research Analyst at Tamman Inc.
Kristen Witucki, Accessibility Specialist and Content Creator at Tamman Inc.
Session Description:
This session offers a deep dive into the transformative potential of inclusive practices in market research. With over a quarter of U.S. adults living with a disability, this session highlights how traditional research methods often unintentionally exclude individuals with disabilities – missing not only an ethical imperative but also a significant opportunity for business growth.
Attendees will gain practical knowledge of how accessibility enhances the quality and reach of research by broadening the participant pool and ensuring more representative data. The session includes a compelling live screen-reader demonstration, uncovering common barriers in survey design and their impact on usability for assistive technology users. Real-world examples and actionable solutions will be shared, focusing on inclusive recruitment strategies, accessible survey formats, and steps to ensure all research tools are compatible with assistive technologies.
Designed for stakeholders, analysts, suppliers, and organizational leaders, this session empowers attendees to make immediate improvements to their research processes. By integrating accessibility into their workflows, organizations can unlock untapped talent pools, strengthen customer engagement, and create more equitable experiences for all participants.
Join us to discover how inclusivity isn’t just a compliance necessity but a strategic advantage that fuels better business outcomes and fosters meaningful connections with diverse audiences.
Speaker Bios:
Steve is a marketing research methodologist/analyst at Tamman Inc., a company specializing in digital accessibility. With over 20 years of experience in market research, analytics, and strategy, Steve specializes in providing insights that drive smarter business decisions and stronger customer relationships. In addition to his role at Tamman, he serves on the board of Standard Accessibility Reporting (SAR), where he contributes to developing industry scoring standards. In addition, as a leader in the Accessible Insights Consortium (AIC), he engages the marketing research community and leads workshops on inclusive research practices. Steve's LinkedIn
Kristen Witucki is an author, a teacher of blind students, and a content creator and accessibility specialist for Tamman. She holds a certification in accessibility core competencies from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals. She brings her passion and education for accessibility and her lived experience as a blind individual who uses Braille and screen-reading technology to the Tamman team.
Presentation Information & Materials
PC5: Why I Care About Accessibility, and Why You Should, Too!
Presented by:
Schalk Neethling, Senior Frontend Engineer
at Factorial GmbH
Session Description:
In late December of 2024, TPGi posted its list of the top accessibility errors found through its ARC automation tools in 2024. In this talk, I will explain the errors, the challenges they cause, and how to avoid or fix them..
Speaker Bio:
Schalk Neethling is a passionate front-end engineer, podcast host, mentor, and open web and web accessibility evangelist. He strives to be a kind-hearted advocate for mental health and is committed to spreading kindness, mindfulness, and awareness about mental illness, devoid of stigma. He loves bringing new ideas to life and elevating voices that aim to make a positive impact. He believes in respect, openness, and creating opportunities for growth.