Beyond ‘Is It Accessible?’: Smarter Conversations for Better Outcome

Scheduled at 9:45 in Colorado G-H on Thursday, November 19.

Speaker(s)

• Rachel Comerford, Senior Director of Accessibility, Macmillan Learning
• Michael Mace, Manager, Digital Accessibility, Indiana University

Session Details

• Length of Session: 1-hr
• Format: Lecture
• Expertise Level: All Levels
• Type of session: General Conference

Summary

Accessibility conversations between publishers and colleges often miss the mark: questions are too vague, too rigid, or focused on low-impact issues and responses are too broad, too technical, or too scripted. This interactive session, co-led by Macmillan Learning and Indiana University, reframes the dialogue. Attendees will explore how to ask better questions, interpret accessibility claims, and build shared understanding that leads to more meaningful, student-centered outcomes.

Abstract

When it comes to accessibility, publishers and higher education institutions are often talking past each other. Institutions ask, “Is it accessible?” while publishers respond with technical documentation, VPATs, or compliance statements that don’t fully answer the real question: “Will this work for our students?”

This session brings together perspectives from both a publisher and a university to explore how we can close this communication gap. We’ll examine common patterns like overly broad questions, rigid compliance requirements, overemphasis on low-impact issues, and heavy reliance on automated testing and how these can unintentionally obscure what matters most: the actual student experience.

Through real-world examples and interactive exercises, participants will practice reframing accessibility questions to focus on usability, impact, and context. We’ll also explore how publishers can provide clearer, more actionable responses that go beyond compliance and support informed decision-making.

This session takes a collaborative, solution-oriented approach. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for improving conversations, aligning expectations, and building stronger partnerships between institutions and publishers.

Whether you’re evaluating digital courseware, responding to accessibility inquiries, or supporting procurement decisions, we hope to help you move from checkbox thinking to meaningful dialogue so that accessibility efforts better reflect the needs of the students we serve.

Keypoints

1. Better accessibility outcomes start with better questions, not just stricter requirements.
2. Compliance data alone cannot predict real student accessibility experiences.
3. Shared language between publishers and institutions improves accessibility decisions.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessibility and Accommodation in the Current Political/Legal Environment, Accessible Course Design, Campus & System-wide initiatives, Procurement, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Rachel Comerford

Rachel Comerford is the Senior Director of Accessibility at Macmillan Learning where she leads cross-functional efforts to ensure students of all abilities have access to their course materials. In 2020, BISG awarded Rachel the Industry Innovator award for her work helping Macmillan Learning to become the first Global Certified Accessible publisher by Benetech. Under her leadership, Macmillan was recognized by WIPO’s Accessible Book Consortium with the International Excellence Award for Accessible Publishing in 2020 for their work towards providing educational materials that any student can use and as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” on the Disability Equality Index® for five consecutive years. She has presented at many conferences including Accessing Higher Ground, CSUN-ATC, and SXSW and actively participates in accessibility work at 1EdTech, PAAG, and BISG among others.

Michael Mace

Michael is the manager of the Indiana University system's Assistive Technology and Accessibility Center. Michael and his team focus on helping people create engaging, inclusive, active-learning educational experiences that meet students where they are in their educational journey. Michael frequently presents on topics such as universal design for learning and creating equitable digital course experiences on the various IU campuses as well as at various industry conferences. Michael is also the co-chair of the Information Technology Accessibility Group for Big Ten Academic Alliance Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Marian University and a master’s degree in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University.