Centering Access: Disability Rights, Student Advocacy, and Inclusive Teaching in Higher Education

Colleges and universities have long been contested spaces for disabled students—shaped by legal struggles, student leadership, and changing institutional and pedagogical approaches. In this shared presentation and dialogue, three leaders bring their perspectives to the table:

• Mary Ciccone, JD (Director of Policy, Disability Rights NJ) shares on the legal landscape of disability rights and the precedent set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (1988; ADA)
• Krystle Allen (current Rutgers–Newark student, founder of Eyes Like Mine, Inc.) shares about her student experience and work in blindness empowerment and advocacy
• Dena Novak, EdD (Director of Instructional Design, University Online Education Services) discusses the applications of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a pedagogical approach to granting broader educational access to all students

Together, they will map the challenges and opportunities for advancing accessibility in higher education today. The session also serves as a foundation for a subsequent discussion on new ADA Title II standards for digital accessibility.

Accessibility Services

• Captioning provided
• Microphones used to amplify sound

If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please call Catherine Clepper at 973-353-2882 or email cc1819@newark.rutgers.edu in advance of your participation.