Accessibility

Conferencing in the Time of COVID-19

TYCA-Southwest is committed to making our October 2022 conference as accessible as possible. Conference attendees are encouraged to follow CDC guidance on protecting themselves and others from COVID-19. The CDC currently recommends testing prior to travel.

TYCA-SW recognizes that wearing masks can make a public space more accessible for others. Masks will be available for use at concurrent sessions. TYCA-SW encourages members to comply with a facilitator's request that attendees mask during their session. All conference session rooms will be arranged to allow for social distancing.

Aloft Oklahoma City Downtown

Accessibility information about the Aloft Hotel can be found on the hotel's website, including information about the hotel's rooms and meeting spaces. All in-person conference sessions will take place on the sixth floor of the hotel.

Accessibility & Concurrent Sessions

If you are a presenter at this year's conference, please create your presentation to meet the needs of a diverse audience.

Here are some strategies/recommendations for creating accessible presentation slides:

• Large font size (at least 22 point)

• Sans serif font

• Avoid using color alone to convey information

• Use capitalization and lowercase in titles and text

• Use a minimum of 5:1 contrast (read more on this blog post about contrast and contrast checkers)

• Include unique titles on individual slides

• Embed alt-text for images

• At the start of your presentation, provide a direct link to attendees (e.g., a tinyurl) to any electronic versions of your presentation, access copies, and handouts. Include these links on the title page of your presentation.

Preparing Access Copies and Handouts

• Format access copies in 12-point font as well as large print (20-point font)

• Have extra handouts and copies to provide for interpreters and CART providers

• If you do not want your presentation shared after conference, write "do not circulate or cite" on your handouts. Inform attendees of this at the start of your session.

Facilitating Concurrent Sessions

• At the start of the session, consider providing a moment for an access invitation/access check. This might include an invitation to attendees to access the information and discussion according to their needs. You might also provide a brief overview of the session so attendees can anticipate any access needs that might arise. For instance, will your session include movement, breakouts, and/or writing activities?

• Provide time for attendees to access any electronic materials at the start of the presentation.

• Ask attendees about your volume.

• Speak at a reasonable pace.

• Spell out links to websites and proper nouns (e.g., "According to Kerschbaum, K-E-R-S-C-H-B-A-U-M...")

• Verbally describe visuals used in the session.

• If there is a change in speaker, say your name before you begin talking (e.g., "This is [NAME] speaking...")

• If using video, have captioning turned on.

• Avoid using animations in presentations, but if rhetorically appropriate to include them, be sure to provide a warning to the audience of their inclusion in the session.

• During discussion/question & answer, encourage equitable participation. Provide space for reflection and sharing. If presenting virtually, encourage use of the "raise hand" feature, and consider reading aloud or summarizing comments included in the chat.

Additional Resources

• The Composing Access website is a wonderful resource for presenters and attendees.

• WebAIM has many resources including a contrast checker

• Microsoft's tips on creating accessible PowerPoint presentations

• Microsoft's collection of accessible PowerPoint templates

• Google's recommendations for making your presentations more accessible