Accessibility Speaker Series

Introduction

As compliance dates for the updated federal web content accessibility regulations (ADA Title II and HHS Section 504) approach, library and archives workers have expressed interests and needs for more defined support to strengthen preparations in targeted library functional areas. The Alliance is hosting an accessibility webinar series to respond to these expressed interests and needs.

All webinars are open and free to Alliance members, affiliate participants (including the Archives & Manuscripts Collections Service, Courier Service, and Electronic Resources Program), and staff at academic libraries in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington.

Format & Supports

All webinars will be hosted in Zoom and recorded. Recordings will be posted within two weeks.

Live webinars will use Zoom’s automated captions and transcripts, and recordings will have human-provided and edited captions and transcripts. Presentation slides will use large font size, and there will be limited flashing (no strobing) for slide transitions, animations, and videos. Registration forms include an option to indicate additional accessibility support needs.

Session Schedule

  • November 5, 2025 at 2pm PST: Judy Risch, Web Content Accessibility Regulations: Updates in Conversation
  • December 9, 2025 at 11am PST: Michele Bromley, Title TBD (remediating documents at scale for accessibility)
  • January 20, 2026 at 11am PST: Victoria Van Hyning, Now is the Time: Guidance for Enhancing Web and App Accessibility for Special Collections and Archival Materials
  • January 29, 2026 at 2pm PST: Samantha Teremi, Title TBD (negotiating accessible content with scholarly vendors)
  • March 3, 2026 at 11am PST: Iris Bierlein & Amanda Baker, Title TBD (digital accessibility best practices for LibGuides)
  • March 18, 2026 at 11am PST: Anaya Jones, Title TBD (accessible library instruction)
  • March 31, 2026 at 10am PST: Teressa Keenan & Jacqueline Frank, Title TBD (accessibility metadata for improved discovery in Alma/Primo)
  • Dates TBD: additional speakers will discuss frameworks for accessibility (risk matrices, workflows, and creating sustainable paths) and the role of accessible procurement

Web Content Accessibility Regulations: Updates in Conversation

Speaker: Judy Risch, Title IX & Equity Access Services Special Advisor, Grand River Solutions

Date: November 5, 2025, 2:00pm-3:00pm Pacific

Register: Registration is open to Alliance members, affiliate participants, and academic libraries in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington.
(Unsure if you’re an affiliate participant? See details above.)

Recording: The webinar will be recorded.

Description: During this webinar, Judy Risch will discuss recent updates regarding the web content accessibility regulations (ADA Title II and HHS Section 504), including the DOJ’s regulatory agenda and related litigation filings. After these updates, we’ll have a moderated conversation for Judy to respond to participants’ questions. The registration form (linked above) includes an option to submit questions before the webinar. Participants will also be able to share questions during the webinar as time allows, including via anonymous Q&A.

Objectives:

  • Recognize the current status of the web content accessibility regulations
  • Identify relevant sources of information to maintain awareness
  • Investigate and collaborate to achieve practical accessibility support

Speaker Bio: Judith Risch, J.D., Ph.D., is the Title IX & Equity Access Services Special Advisor at Grand River Solutions. Judy brings over two decades of invaluable experience from her tenure at the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U.S. Department of Education.

Judy is nationally recognized as a foremost expert in digital accessibility, having served as a senior attorney at the Department of Education, where she co-led the Office for Civil Rights National Digital Accessibility Team. Her role involved overseeing a team of attorneys and investigators across twelve regional offices, enforcing digital accessibility policies and advising educational institutions and business leaders on compliance with federal disability discrimination laws.

While at OCR, Judy provided expert technical guidance during the development of the new ADA Title II amendments that cover digital accessibility. She also contributed her expertise to updating the 2024 Section 504 Regulations regarding digital accessibility for the Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. Judy regularly advises and presents to educational institutions and business leaders throughout the country about how to effectively comply with federal civil rights laws, especially those that relate to disability discrimination, access, and technology.