Accessibility – UX Akron

UX Akron Online Speakers

UX Akron — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:39:40 +0000

Enjoy presentations you missed, or watch one you loved again from our collection of recorded online speakers. All presentations are organized by date and by topic. We’ll be adding to this list, so check back often!

By Date

2026

Feb 2026 – Emily Ogle “Making AI a ‘Good Place’: Usability and Accessibility” https://bit.ly/4qQmkM6

Jan 2026 – Anne Cantera “The ABC’s of Conversation Design” https://bit.ly/4sSB52U

2025

Oct 2025 – Carianne Tuckley “Sexy vs Scrappy Tech: Using IA and AI to Help Real People Do Everyday Things” https://bit.ly/3WUZkie

Sept 2025 – Michele Oliver “Beyond Personas: Designing with Jobs-to-be-Done in Mind” https://bit.ly/3IGrf1Z

July 2025 – Thomas Stokes “Calculating ROI in UX Research: Quantifying the Value of UX to Business Leaders” https://bit.ly/4fbtkik

June 2025 – Sean Van Tyne “Moving from Product-centric to Customer-centric” https://bit.ly/46iG6ci

May 2025 – Dee Sadler “Measuring and Managing Success: For the Individual, Team, and Leadership” https://bit.ly/4kCPMCm

March 2025 – Amit Sathe and Marina Lin “The Experience Scorecard” https://bit.ly/3QOq5lv

2024

June 2024 – Dennis Cheatham “Translating Theory to Designing for Memorable Experiences” https://youtu.be/jwHwc_I-zfU?si=nJW8zyAi68REZd3F

May 2024 – Kelsey Thomson “Augmenting Human Insight: Enhancing Listening in Qualitative Research with AI” https://youtu.be/7vxlfNSyNuU?si=aBv6OBI67iDSts0I

By Topic

Accessibility

Feb 2026 – Emily Ogle “Making AI a ‘Good Place’: Usability and Accessibility” https://bit.ly/4qQmkM6

AI

Feb 2026 – Emily Ogle “Making AI a ‘Good Place’: Usability and Accessibility” https://bit.ly/4qQmkM6

Jan 2026 – Anne Cantera “The ABC’s of Conversation Design” https://bit.ly/4sSB52U

Oct 2025 – Carianne Tuckley “Sexy vs Scrappy Tech: Using IA and AI to Help Real People Do Everyday Things” https://bit.ly/3WUZkie

May 2024 – Kelsey Thomson “Augmenting Human Insight: Enhancing Listening in Qualitative Research with AI” https://youtu.be/7vxlfNSyNuU?si=aBv6OBI67iDSts0I

Business Side of UX

July 2025 – Thomas Stokes “Calculating ROI in UX Research: Quantifying the Value of UX to Business Leaders” https://bit.ly/4fbtkik

June 2025 – Sean Van Tyne “Moving from Product-centric to Customer-centric” https://bit.ly/46iG6ci

May 2025 – Dee Sadler “Measuring and Managing Success: For the Individual, Team, and Leadership” https://bit.ly/4kCPMCm

Conversation Design

Jan 2026 – Anne Cantera “The ABC’s of Conversation Design” https://bit.ly/4sSB52U

Information Architecture

Oct 2025 – Carianne Tuckley “Sexy vs Scrappy Tech: Using IA and AI to Help Real People Do Everyday Things” https://bit.ly/3WUZkie

Personas

Sept 2025 – Michele Oliver “Beyond Personas: Designing with Jobs-to-be-Done in Mind” https://bit.ly/3IGrf1Z

Product Design and Managment

June 2025 – Sean Van Tyne “Moving from Product-centric to Customer-centric” https://bit.ly/46iG6ci

May 2025 – Dee Sadler “Measuring and Managing Success: For the Individual, Team, and Leadership” https://bit.ly/4kCPMCm

March 2025 – Amit Sathe and Marina Lin “The Experience Scorecard” https://bit.ly/3QOq5lv

June 2024 – Dennis Cheatham “Translating Theory to Designing for Memorable Experiences” https://youtu.be/jwHwc_I-zfU?si=nJW8zyAi68REZd3F

Surprise and Delight

June 2024 – Dennis Cheatham “Translating Theory to Designing for Memorable Experiences” https://youtu.be/jwHwc_I-zfU?si=nJW8zyAi68REZd3F

Usability

Feb 2026 – Emily Ogle “Making AI a ‘Good Place’: Usability and Accessibility” https://bit.ly/4qQmkM6

June 2024 – Dennis Cheatham “Translating Theory to Designing for Memorable Experiences” https://youtu.be/jwHwc_I-zfU?si=nJW8zyAi68REZd3F

UX Research

July 2025 – Thomas Stokes “Calculating ROI in UX Research: Quantifying the Value of UX to Business Leaders” https://bit.ly/4fbtkik

March 2025 – Amit Sathe and Marina Lin “The Experience Scorecard” https://bit.ly/3QOq5lv

May 2024 – Kelsey Thomson “Augmenting Human Insight: Enhancing Listening in Qualitative Research with AI” https://youtu.be/7vxlfNSyNuU?si=aBv6OBI67iDSts0I

Don’t see your presentation on this list? Reach out to us via our Contact Form!

Join Us for World Information Architecture Day 2026

UX Akron — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:55:00 +0000

Photo by Jessica Collura Gardner from World IA Day 2025.

Save Your Spot for World IA Day

World IA Day 2026 will take place in Akron on Friday, March 6th, 2026.

Breakfast and lunch are included, as well as breaks and opportunities for networking with the local tech & design community.

We’re planning a full day of speakers and activities — check back here for the schedule of events. This year’s global theme is Designing for Meaning. Learn more about the global event at worldiaday.org.

Registration is open

Seats are filling fast for WIAD26: Register now and save your spot!

Location

Goodyear Heights Lodge – West Room
2077 Newton Street
Akron, OH 44305

Directions to the lodge:
Take I-76 east and exit at Gilchrist Road. Turn west (left) and go one block to State Route 91, (Canton Road). Go north (right) on Canton Road approximately 1⁄2 mile (second light) to Newton Street. Turn west (left) on Newton Street and go
approximately 1⁄2 mile to the park entrance on the right.

Schedule

9:45 AM to 4:00 PM on Friday, March 6th, 2026.

9:45 – 10:15 – Registration and Breakfast
10:15 – 10:30 – Welcome/Announcements

10:30 – 11:00 – Selena Bryant

Taxonomy as the Human Anchor in AI Systems

11:00 – 11:15 – Break

11:15 – 11:45 – Stephen Morrissey

Designing Your Design Process

11:45 – 12:00 – Break

12:00 – 12:30 – Anne Guzzi

From Rows to Relationships: How Graph Thinking Expands UX Possibilities

12:30 – 1:45 – Lunch

1:45 – 2:00 – Announcements/Giveaways

2:00 – 3:00 – RJ Thompson

The Architecture of Belonging: How a Small Community Designs for Meaning

3:00 – 3:15 Break

3:15 – 3:45 – James Warnken

How Individuals and Organizations Are Using AI To Unlock Accessibility

Speakers and Presentations

Selena Bryant on Taxonomy as the Human Anchor in AI Systems

As AI systems generate, classify, and connect information at unprecedented speed, the primary challenge for information architects is no longer scale; it is accuracy and meaning. How do we ensure AI-driven systems remain reliable, understandable, and grounded in human context? In this landscape, taxonomy serves as a critical semantic layer connecting organizational goals, machine interpretation, and real user experience.

This presentation will explore how core taxonomy principles, controlled vocabulary, hierarchical structure, and governance can be intentionally applied within AI-enabled information architectures. Drawing on Indeed’s UK labor market taxonomy initiative, it will examine how taxonomy has evolved from a static classification system into a dynamic semantic framework that supports large language models and automated classification.

Anne Guzzi on From Rows to Relationships: How Graph Thinking Expands UX Possibilities

Information isn’t flat, and its structure doesn’t have to be either! Taxonomies and ontologies use graph databases to represent information as concepts, relationships, classes, and associated metadata. In contrast to the constraints of traditional relational tables, information graphs introduce a lot of flexibility downstream, giving UX professionals new opportunities to design richer navigation and more intuitive user experiences.

As a recent product manager of taxonomy, ontology, and master data at Nike, Anne will draw on examples from both everyday and large enterprise business systems to explore how graph databases can store and centralize meaning. Anne will also discuss the current state of the industry, the challenges organizations face as they incorporate AI, and practical ways that UX and IA practitioners can apply graph thinking to create systems that are both flexible and meaningful.

Stephen Morrisey on Designing Your Design Process

Chaos should not be a pillar of the creative experience. Regardless of your team’s size, you want to replicate success and avoid making mistakes twice.

Documented processes allow us to do that and more. In this talk Stephen will discuss what he learned throughout his professional career to create processes that consistently produce the results you want.

RJ Thompson on The Architecture of Belonging: How a Small Community Designs for Meaning

How can information architecture transform a town? This talk explores how Bellevue Forward, a nonprofit in Bellevue, Pennsylvania, uses intentional design, storytelling, and inclusive communication systems to connect people, promote local businesses, and build community identity. By structuring information around shared values and lived experiences, Bellevue Forward demonstrates how IA can foster belonging, guide action, and empower civic engagement, even in the smallest of places. These lessons are highly transferable to communities throughout Ohio and beyond.

From digital marketing and community websites to social media, economic development campaigns, and inclusive public events, Bellevue Forward’s approach shows how small towns can use IA to make information approachable, relevant, and actionable.

James Warnken on How Individuals and Organizations Are Using AI To Unlock Accessibility

James will demonstrate some of the ways individuals and organizations are leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to unlock new layers and levels of accessibility. Let’s explore the user side of AI and how it can convert inaccessible materials into accessible alternatives.

But the fun doesn’t stop there; let’s also explore how organizations are leveraging AI to explore brand new solutions that provide a more seamless, accessible experience for everyone, especially users with disabilities who use assistive technology.

Be a sponsor

World IA Day is an annual event under the World Information Architecture Association.

It’s a one-day global celebration with locations all over the world, and serves to:

Build and connect a global community of IA advocates and practitioners
Promote the role of IA in different fields
Provide resources for learning and professional development
Engage IA academics and professionals in research and development

Sponsorships are a great way to communicate your organization’s value and attract visibility to your brand, products, or services.

Interested in sponsoring WIAD 2026? Visit our Sponsors Page to explore opportunities, or use our Contact Us form to connect with UX Akron. We’re happy to reply promptly and answer any questions you might have.

Be a Volunteer

Want to help out on the day of the event? Let us know you’d like to volunteer.

Let’s Stay in Touch

Stay up to date about upcoming events and what’s new in UX for Northeast Ohio by subscribing to our monthly newsletter.

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World Usability Day 2024

UX Akron — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 19:29:36 +0000

Register today for World Usability Day 2024

Hear from UX Professionals from throughout Northeast Ohio speak about Designing For A Better World.

When: Thursday, November 14th, 2024 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Where: Akron-Summit County Main Library – 60 S. High Street in Akron, OH

Registration is free, includes breakfast and lunch, and is open now!

Interested in Volunteering?

Want to help out on the day of the event? We’d love the extra hands! Let us know you’d like to volunteer.

Speaker Lineup:

Jennifer Homentosky on UX and the Vision Impaired User

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlbeard

Jennifer will discuss the importance of UX to the vision impaired community from printed materials, to apps, and more.

Shawn Kenney on Solving traffic issues through Human-Centered Design

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnkenney

We talk about “wicked” and “big hairy problems” all the time as designers. But are there limits to this? For my masters degree program in UX at the Maryland Institute College of Art, I wanted to see if I could understand why drivers were regularly driving left of center on my street in Cleveland, and if HCD could provide a solution.

Tasha Markovich on Why Product Teams Including UX should care about Telemetry Data!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashamarkovich

Tasha will speak about: What is product telemetry? Why is it important to product teams and UX? How it can be used to bring growth to your organization?

Felesia McDonald on AI and UX design: The Role of AI in UX Design

https://www.linkedin.com/in/felesiamcdonald

AI is becoming an essential tool in UX design, allowing designers to create more personalized, efficient, and innovative user experiences. By understanding the basics of AI and its practical applications, UX designers can leverage these technologies to improve their design processes and stay competitive in the evolving field of user experience.

Stephen Morrissey on Improving Your Research Skills by Increasing Your Empathy

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbmorrissey

A wonderful byproduct of UX research is the empathy for your user’s situation. Yet there are many ways to continue to boost your empathy. The most amazing thing is that with greater empathy for a people group, you can ask better research questions, further driving the quality of your design decisions. Yet what if we could continue to gain empathy while not at work? In this presentation I will walk through the methods I have tried and which had the largest impacts on my research skills and insights.

Jeff Rodgers on Writing Great Alt+Text

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jroda11y

Missing or incorrect alt text is one of the top accessibility issues found on websites, according to WebAIM. It is also one of the easiest to fix! This presentation will explain why alt text is essential for web accessibility, how it works with assistive technologies like screen readers, and how to write effective alternative text for the seven types of images classified by the W3C. This includes informative images, decorative images, and complex images such as graphs, charts, and maps. By the end of this session, you will have a clear understanding of how to create alt text that is both concise and descriptive, ensuring your website is accessible to all users.

This presentation is tailored to developers, content creators, and accessibility advocates seeking to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.2 and provide an inclusive digital experience for all users.

Holly Sander on Color Conscious: Making Digital Spaces Accessible

https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-murphy-sander

Holly will dive into what colorblindness is, why it should be considered when designing, and strategies for designing with colorblind users in mind. I’ll share real stories, best practices, and some tools to test colors. You’ll discover that considering colorblindness in your visuals isn’t just about tackling an obstacle—it’s about offering inclusive and superior experiences to all our users.

LaToya Smith on A New Dimension: Exploring Accessibility in Creative Content

https://www.linkedin.com/in/latoya-v-smith

A thought-provoking discussion on how we can make the world of comics and graphic novels more inclusive and accessible to everyone. In this talk, we’ll delve into the benefits of introducing braille, large print, and alt text to these beloved forms of storytelling.

Discover how working closely with members of the disabled community can lead to innovative solutions that enhance the user experience for all readers. Learn about real-world examples and success stories that demonstrate the positive impact of accessibility on both creators and audiences. Explore the benefits of making comics accessible, from expanding the audience to fostering greater empathy and understanding.

Whether you’re a comic book enthusiast, a designer, or simply interested in creating a more inclusive world, this talk will provide valuable insights and inspire you to take action.

James Warnken on Exploring Accessibility Throughout The Product Lifecycle

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswarnken/

James’ presentation will highlight the importance of accessibility throughout the entire product lifecycle (planning, research, design, development, QA, maintenance/update), not just once the product is launched.

Agenda

10:00-10:20 – Check in
10:20-10:30 – Welcome and announcements
10:30-11:00 – Improving Your Research Skills by Increasing Your Empathy – Stephen Morrisey
11:00-11:15 – UX and the Vision Impaired User – Jennifer Homentosky
11:15-11:45 – AI and UX design: The Role of AI in UX Design – Felesia McDonald
11:45-12:00 Noon – Break
12:00-12:30 – Color Conscious: Making Digital Spaces Accessible – Holly Sander
12:30-1:00 – Exploring Accessibility Throughout The Product Lifecycle – James Warnken
1:00-1:45 – Lunch
1:45-2:00 – Solving traffic issues through HCD – Shawn Kenney
2:00-2:30 – Writing Great Alt+Text – Jeff Rodgers
2:30-2:45 – Break/Announcements/Giveaways
2:45-3:15 – Why Product Teams Including UX should care about Telemetry Data! – Tasha Markovich
3:15-3:45 – A New Dimension: Exploring Accessibility in Creative Content – LaToya Smith
3:45-4:00 – Wrap-up and closing remarks.

UX Akron Participates in 2021 Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR)

UX Akron — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 19:43:05 +0000

UX Akron Participates in 2021 Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR)

UX Akron planned to refresh and revitalize its website in 2021. Ensuring an accessible website was important to the team, but how to build an accessible site was an open question (and we had a lot of questions!). As luck would have it, we learned about the Knowbility Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR), which started in 1998 as a community program and has continued to evolve since then.

About The AIR Competition

AIR is a design competition that builds partnerships between non-profits or artists and teams of volunteer web developers and designers. The project runs for six weeks, and the goal is to build or improve a website so that it is fully accessible to people with disabilities. The websites are then judged by a panel of accessibility experts from all over the world. Since 1998, more than 2,000 volunteers have participated in AIR rallies, and over 450 non-profits, charities, schools, and artists have received accessible websites and a better understanding about the importance of digital accessibility.

After we signed up for #AIR2021, we were teamed with a great group of folks from UserZoom and immediately got to work. Participating in AIR is really an extraordinary opportunity to learn by doing, and we’ll have an accessible website as an outcome! Right now we’re in the build stage, which runs from September 9th to November 7th. After the 7th, we’ll submit our website for judging. Winners will be announced on January 6th, 2022.

A core element of AIR is to help people learn more about accessibility. Knowbility provides abundant resources covering accessibility and what that means for crafting great digital experiences. You learn why accessibility matters, why it’s the right thing to do, and you learn about the technical aspects of implementing accessibility on your website. Plus, you have incredible access to accessibility experts! We’re excited to soon have an accessible website that is inclusive and welcoming to all. Stay tuned for more updates!

About Knowbility

Knowbility, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to create a more inclusive digital world for people with disabilities. The organization developed from a community collaboration – the Accessibility Internet Rally – to raise awareness of the need for access to technology for people with disabilities. AIR Austin proved to be an effective model for engaging the information technology sector and the social services community in disability issues and in 1999 Knowbility incorporated to develop additional programs and services. Today, Knowbility’s team of experts is internationally recognized for its role in creating the worldwide standard for web accessibility implementation and training.

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