Presented at 1:45 pm in Penrose 1 on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
#41228Speaker(s)
- Christopher Aldin, Director of Product, Anthology
- Katie Grennell, Accessibility Strategist, Anthology
Session Details
- Length of Session: 1-hr
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: Beginner
- Type of session: General Conference
Summary
How aware are faculty of their role in creating accessible digital content—and what’s getting in the way of that awareness? This session will focus on findings from a faculty engagement survey exploring perceptions, understanding, and knowledge gaps related to digital accessibility from over 2,500 faculty members to help the audience formulate strategies to increase overall awareness and action.
Abstract
How aware are faculty of their role in creating accessible digital content—and what’s getting in the way of that awareness? This session shares findings from a faculty engagement survey exploring perceptions, understanding, and knowledge gaps related to digital accessibility from over 2,500 faculty members. The data highlights key trends in faculty awareness, including confusion about responsibilities, limited familiarity with accessibility tools, and uncertainty about where to begin. Attendees will examine how these awareness gaps contribute to low rates of content remediation and discuss strategies for increasing faculty engagement through clear communication, targeted training, and institutional support. Leave with a deeper understanding of how to build a foundation of awareness that leads to meaningful accessibility action.
Keypoints
- Lack of awareness often leads to lower content remediation rates among faculty.
- Accessibility awareness is growing—but execution is uneven and under-supported.
- Faculty need targeted resources to close the accessibility gap.
Disability Areas
All Areas
Topic Areas
Accessibility and Accommodation in the Current Political/Legal Environment, Accessible Course Design, Alternate Format, Faculty Development & Support, Uncategorized
Speaker Bio(s)
Christopher Aldin
Chris Aldin is currently Director of Product for Anthology Ally where he works with institutions all around the world to create better, more inclusive content for all learners. With an extensive background working in digital education and content after an early consulting career, he is passionate about ensuring that everyone has access to and benefits from the best possible content available.
In addition to his experience with Ally, Chris has spent time in the online cybersecurity training industry focused on building more inclusive online training experiences. Before joining the Ally team, he spent almost 7 years in higher education publishing focused on building and designing custom and inclusive digital educational products while managing the production and distribution of some of the largest digital content libraries in North America. This experience, coupled with his passion for inclusive learning, continues to drive Chris forward to deliver impactful products and experiences that increase student success both inside and outside of the classroom.
Katie Grennell
Dr. Katie Grennell completed her PhD in American Studies from the University at Buffalo in 2016, her dissertation, entitled The Making of the ‘Fame Monster’: Disability Aesthetics, Bodily Deviance and Celebrity Culture. She has worked as an adjunct instructor in the disciplines of history, disability history and disability studies, American Studies, and American popular music for over 17 years at multiple institutions throughout Western New York. Dr. Grennell identifies as disabled, having both visible and non-apparent disabilities, and uses her lived experiences and positionality to challenge ableist notions of disability both in and outside of her work. Her first book, Disability and Accessibility in the Music Classroom: An Instructor’s Guide (Routledge) was published September 1, 2022. She currently works as an Accessibility Strategist at Anthology, supporting institutions using Ally, a digital accessibility tool designed to help make learning content more accessible and inclusive. Her main focus with Ally is to provide strategic services to organizations and institutions looking to strengthen their usage of Ally to ensure a more accessible learning environment.