What Accessibility Actually Looks Like: A Live Enrollment Experience

Scheduled at 9:45 in Colorado I-J on Wednesday, November 18.

#43222

Speaker(s)

• Mike Hess, Founder and Executive Director, Blind Institute of Technology (BIT)
• Kurt Lobst, Global President and co-founder of Salesforce's Neuroforce BRG, Salesforce

Session Details

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

Summary

Accessibility in higher education is often discussed but rarely demonstrated. In this session, Salesforce and Blind Institute of Technology (BIT) will present a live demo of a blind user enrolling in classes using a screen reader. Attendees will see how accessibility functions in real workflows, where gaps emerge during customization, and what it takes to create usable, student-centered digital experiences.

Abstract

Accessibility in higher education is often discussed but rarely demonstrated in real time.

In this session, Salesforce and Blind Institute of Technology (BIT) will move beyond theory to show what accessible digital experiences actually look like for students. Through a live demonstration, attendees will follow a blind user navigating a class enrollment process using a screen reader within the Salesforce platform.

We will demonstrate how assistive technology interacts with a highly configurable enterprise system. This walkthrough will provide a practical look at how accessibility shows up in real workflows, not just static examples.

The session will also explore a critical reality: while platforms like Salesforce are designed with accessibility in mind, the way they are implemented and customized ultimately determines whether the experience is truly usable. Attendees will gain insight into how accessibility can be maintained throughout configuration and development, particularly in complex environments like higher education systems.

This session will address key questions:

• What does an accessible enrollment experience look like from a user’s perspective?
• How does assistive technology interact with enterprise platforms in real time?
• Where do accessibility gaps emerge during customization – and how can they be avoided?
• What should institutions consider when implementing or evaluating student-facing systems?

Participants will leave with a clear picture of what accessible digital experiences actually look like in practice and what it takes to create them. By seeing a real enrollment workflow in action, attendees will better understand how design, configuration, and assistive technology come together to support student independence.

Keypoints

1. Accessible digital experiences can be demonstrated in real time through live workflows.
2. Assistive technology can effectively interact with enterprise platforms when accessibility is built in.
3. Customization decisions directly impact usability and determine whether systems remain accessible.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Assistive Technology, Campus & System-wide initiatives, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

Mike Hess

Mike Hess is the Founder and Executive Director of Blind Institute of Technology (BIT), a nonprofit on a mission to close the employment gap for professionals with disabilities. After two decades managing multimillion-dollar tech projects for Fortune 500 companies, Mike grew frustrated by being seen as the “token blind guy.” He knew the skills he’d developed because of his blindness were an asset – not a limitation – and he set out to challenge stereotypes, break down employment barriers, and promote equity for disabled professionals in corporate America.

Since launching BIT, Mike has built global partnerships and connected talented professionals with disabilities with career opportunities at leading companies. He also created the BIT Academy, the only Salesforce-approved training provider for professionals with disabilities, offering accessible, subsidized courses in Salesforce Administration, Digital Accessibility, Platform App Builder, Business Analyst, and Agentforce.

Under Mike’s leadership, BIT launched a U.S. Department of Labor–registered apprenticeship program and was awarded a large Disability Innovation Fund grant to scale its workforce development model nationwide. Mike’s work continues to challenge outdated narratives and shape a more equitable workforce where disability is seen as a strength, not a setback.

Kurt Lobst

Kurt Iobst is a passionate advocate and leader for disability inclusion and empowerment. As Global President and co-founder of Salesforce's Neuroforce BRG and Customer Accessibility Advisory Lead, he breaks down barriers, fosters understanding, and creates pathways for neurodivergent and disabled communities to thrive.

A natural storyteller, Kurt draws from his experience being late-diagnosed as autistic to build workplaces where differences are celebrated and embraced. His dual background in education and technology provides deep insight into both the challenges faced by the disability community and their unique potential to contribute meaningfully to the world. He has spoken at major events including CES, M-Enabling, Disability:IN, and Dreamforce.