Accessing Higher Ground focuses on the implementation and benefits of:

• Accessible media, Universal Design and Assistive Technology in the university, business and public setting
• Legal and policy issues, including ADA and 508 compliance
• The creation of accessible media and information resources, including Web pages and library resources

OCALISON is the nation's premier autism and disabilities conference where thousands of people from around the world come together to learn, network, and share research, best practices and resources to support the life-long needs of individuals with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder and sensory and low-incidence disabilities.

From state and national leaders to educators, service providers, policymakers, families, and self-advocates, the event has something to offer everyone.

Now in its 4th year TechShare Pro is organised by AbilityNet and is one of Europe's premier accessibility and inclusive design events, with an engaging blend of inspiration and practical insights, including business strategy, accessibility leadership and digital practice. 

We will address masking and other questions pertaining to “direct threat” to health and safety posed by untested, asymptomatic, and symptomatic students with COVID-19. A paradigm for analyzing these cases will be discussed, and links to federal guidance and other useful authorities will be presented. We will also look at online classes and discuss the accommodations required for students with sensory impairments. Given what is known and all that is unknown, what are the practical, implementable solutions? If a student refuses to wear a mask, is this a DSS problem, a health-center problem, or a matter for security and discipline? Suggested solutions will be shared.

Learn how faculty, course designers, and those who work with them can contribute to the development of online classes that are fully inclusive of students with disabilities and significantly reduce the need for additional accommodations. Specific access issues, access solutions, and a universal design framework for implementation will be presented. The presenter will share resources for faculty new to this topic, as well as resources that offer in-depth technical guidance to which disability service, teaching and learning center, and department website staff on any campus can link.

Personal stories from adults with disabilities about their own experiences with health insurance access and perceptions of the healthcare delivery system are valuable for reaching policymakers and providing insights that resonate with a broad audience. In this panel, the Collaborative on Health Reform and Independent Living (CHRIL) partners will discuss the NSHD findings, the qualitative analyses of the video interview transcripts, and the integration of video clips in the project website, with recommendations on how to effectively use stories to inform policymakers and advocate for policy change.