6/5/2026 - 6/5/2026
Presenter: Dawn Dunaway, Accessibility Specialist / Instructional Designer, The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Mission Accessible: Building an Accessibility Toolkit
What if every educator had a ready-to-use toolkit that made accessibility easier, faster, and fully aligned with WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA and the new Title II regulations? This session introduces Mission Accessible, a practical framework for building an accessibility toolkit that integrates templates, automated checkers, and AI-powered supports to reduce barriers and amplify learner voice across digital learning environments.
Participants will explore real templates for accessible course design, compare the strengths and limitations of leading accessibility checkers, and experiment hands-on with AI tools that generate captions, alt text, transcripts, and simplified content. Through interactive “Fix This Barrier” challenges, attendees will practice identifying and correcting accessibility issues using multiple approaches; from templates to automation to AI refinement.
This session is designed for faculty, instructional designers, accessibility specialists, and anyone seeking a streamlined approach to accessible digital learning. Attendees will leave with a customized Accessibility Toolkit Starter Pack, a clear workflow for integrating accessibility into course development, and practical strategies to help their institutions meet evolving accessibility requirements.
Dawn Dunaway is an Accessibility Specialist and Instructional Designer at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she leads Mission Accessible, faculty development programs, and campus-wide efforts to meet Title II and WCAG 2.1 AA standards. She holds a BS in Marketing from the State University of New York, FIT, and an MS in Education from Jacksonville State University. With more than 12 years of experience in educational technology and accessibility, Dawn specializes in creating workflows, templates, and AI-enabled tools that help faculty design clear, consistent, and accessible digital learning experiences for all learners.
Location: Zoom Meeting
6/11/2026 - 6/11/2026
Presenters: Dr. Gene Shi, CEO and Co-founder of Learning Genie and Tony Fiori, Farber Academic Center in Fresno
Using AI to Re-Engage Students in Online and Alternative Education
Online and alternative education programs often struggle with student engagement, attendance, and completion. This session explores how AI can support teachers in designing more engaging, career-connected, and project-based learning experiences that make school more meaningful for students. Featuring insights from district implementation, speakers will highlight how educators are using AI to quickly build relevant, real-world learning experiences that bring both teachers and students more actively into the learning process. The session will also connect these strategies to improved motivation, attendance, and graduation pathways.
Dr. Gene Shi is the CEO and Co-founder of Learning Genie, an award-winning education technology company and creator of Curriculum Genie, the first agentic AI curriculum platform to achieve ESSA Evidence Tier 3 validation through a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University. In partnership with CAST, Dr. Shi pioneered agency-based learning, championing student-teacher co-design of curriculum units with AI for highly engaging and high-quality instruction and learning. With a PhD in Engineering and an MBA, Dr. Shi blends deep technical expertise with business acumen to reimagine the future of K-12 curriculum design. Under his leadership, Learning Genie has become a trusted partner to 400+ school districts, empowering educators to design cross-disciplinary, high-quality units that promote student agency and align with frameworks such as the Portrait of a Graduate.
Tony Fiori is an educator with 29 years of experience, serving as both a high school teacher and literacy coach in Fresno Unified School District. He currently works at Farber Academic Center in Fresno, where he partners closely with teachers to strengthen classroom engagement, with a particular focus on effective use of educational technology. Prior to this role, Tony spent over 20 years at Sunnyside High School as a history teacher and AVID Coordinator, where he supported student achievement and college readiness. He has also contributed as a head coach in both the golf and tennis programs. Beyond his professional work, he has been happily married to his wife, Dena, for 29 years and is the proud father of two sons, Noah (25) and Nino (21).
Location: Zoom Meeting
6/22/2026 - 6/25/2026
2026 USDLA National Conference and Award Ceremony
Dates: June 22nd – 25th
The host location will be Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower
The conference promises something for everyone:
- Multiple Keynotes from Industry Leaders
- Monday Afternoon Pre-Conference Sessions
- Monday Evening Conference Kickoff Party
- 50+ Concurrent Sessions
- International Awards Luncheon Celebration
- Bill Jackson Memorial Walk/Run
- Night on the Town with Colleagues
- Public Policy Forum
- State Chapters Meeting
- Virtual Option for Select Sessions
- Optional Rock & Roll Fame Event (If Available)
Our USDLA National Conference has long been an event where we mingle, discuss technology and learn from an audience broader than our own. Nothing can replace those live in-person interactions and conference feedback has always focused on those personal relationships made with one another.
For our 39th anniversary will be focusing on tracks that are in high demand as we continue to navigate both remote and in-person learning strategies. These tracks include:
- Backstage Pass to Policy: Navigating Governance and Regulation in Distance Education
- The Headliners: Distance and Digital Leadership on the Higher Education Main stage
- Open Mic, Open Minds: Ensuring Quality, Flexibility, and Access in Online Learning
- The Digital AI Groove: Exploring Innovative Techniques and Technologies Education
- The ID Set List: Curating Best Practices in Instructional Design
- Amplify Every Voice: Ensuring Accessibility and Inclusivity in Online Education
- The K-12 Playground: Curating Best Practices in the K-12 Space
Location: Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower
1360 W Mall Dr
Cleveland, OH 44114
Please visit https://usdla.org/events/national-conference/ for all up to date conference details
