What a July and August it has been for the Aberdeen team. It was a whirlwind tour of airports, convention centers, and some truly inspiring conversations as we connected with the higher education community at three incredible events: the Online Teaching Conference (OTC), the CSU+UC Event Professionals Network (EPN) conference, and the AHEAD conference.
While each conference had a specific focus, we found a powerful common thread at every stop. We were visiting one unified community of passionate people all working toward the same goal of making education more inclusive. Our team came home exhausted but overwhelmingly inspired. This is a thank you to the community that welcomed us and a collection of stories we hope you find valuable.
Kicking Things Off in Long Beach
Our journey started in sunny Long Beach at the Online Teaching Conference. The energy was electric, with the theme of "AI, Innovation, and Equity" buzzing in every conversation. What struck our team was the shift in the dialogue around AI. The narrative has moved beyond fear and is now rooted in possibility. The conversations we had were full of this optimism, reminding us that technology at its best is a tool for connection.
Our Higher Education Accessibility Specialist, Tony Baltayan, also had the privilege of presenting at OTC, where he shared Aberdeen’s latest advancements in captioning and translation. It was an energizing moment to highlight how far the technology has come and how it’s helping campuses right now.
Connecting with Event Professionals at Berkeley
Next, our team headed to the gorgeous UC Berkeley campus for the CSU+UC Event Professionals Network conference. This event brought together the talented individuals who create every campus experience, from departmental meetings to massive commencements. The conversations were centered on logistics, engagement, and creating seamless events. It was a fantastic opportunity to discuss how accessibility can be woven into the planning process from the very beginning, making it a natural part of every event rather than a last-minute addition.
Being on the UC Berkeley campus for the conference was a wonderful excuse to arrive early and meet with our partners in person. We had the opportunity to sit down and interview some of the key people behind their accessibility initiatives. We were blown away by their collaborative model, which we started calling the "Heart, Head, and Hands" of accessibility. It’s a powerful approach linking passionate student advocacy, strategic ADA compliance, and flawless technical execution. Their story is a testament to what’s possible when a university commits to access at every level. We can't wait to share our full interviews with their team, so keep an eye out for those videos coming soon!
Justin Gomez New Student ServicesTreena Davis Disabled Students' ProgramDerek Coates Disability Access & Compliance
Deepening the Mission in Denver
For our final stop in Denver for the 48th annual AHEAD conference, our team was ready to listen and learn. As the global epicenter for professionals in higher education and disability, this was our chance to connect as students of the industry. We were humbled by the dedication in every room. An "aha" moment for us came during a session about the immense pressure on small DRC offices. It was a stark reminder of how critical reliable partners and efficient systems are when a student's education is on the line.
Tony was honored to present at AHEAD as well, highlighting Aberdeen’s cutting-edge captioning and translation solutions. Presenting at AHEAD highlighted the shared commitment of professionals working to advance access in higher education.
Inspired for the Road Ahead
Looking back on our journey, the one theme that rings true is community. We met instructional designers, event coordinators, and DRC directors who are all united by a shared passion for opening doors.
On behalf of the entire Aberdeen team, we want to extend a huge thank you to the organizers and to every single person who shared a story with us. You’ve energized us, you’ve inspired us, and we can’t wait to continue the conversation and build the future of access together.
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