Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program

A classroom of seated students viewed from the back of the room. A graphic overlay says, "Professional Development ... Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program ... February - June 2024 - Office of Disability and Inclusion - Apply Now"

Sponsored by the Office of Disability Access and Inclusion/Office of Diversity and Outreach, the Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program is a new 5-part training course designed to equip UCSF event planners with knowledge and skills to plan accessible in-person, virtual, and hybrid events at UCSF.

The Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program introduces participants to foundational concepts for accessible event planning through lectures, guest presenters, independent learning, and a unique capstone project.

This course was developed in conjunction with the UCSF Toolkit for Planning Accessible Events created by the Office of Disability Access and Inclusion in partnership with the Committee on Disability Inclusion.

Program Overview

Who is this Certificate Program for?

  • The Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program is open to all UCSF Health and Campus staff and faculty with experience managing events at UCSF (i.e., conferences, meetings, events, and outreach activities, etc.).
  • UCSF staff who have experience in any capacity supporting access and inclusion for people with disabilities.
  • The selection committee encourages applications from those with a commitment to service and leadership relating to intersectional identities (disability, racial/ethnic, gender, LGBTQIA+ status, and others).
  • To enrich the personal experiences and interpersonal interactions of participants, a limited number of applicants are selected to enroll in each cohort.

Program Format and Length

  • Five (5) 1.5-hour virtual training sessions spread across four months February – June 2024 (7.5 hours).
  • Approximately 3-4 hours of independent learning in between sessions (i.e., required readings)
  • A capstone project aimed to leverage knowledge and skills to further an accessible and inclusive campus climate.
  • Trainings will be facilitated once a month on Zoom from 12:00-1:30pm February-June 2024.
  • Attendance is mandatory; participants who are unable to attend the required sessions may be dropped from the program.
  • A certificate will be awarded upon program completion.

Dates

  • Thurs, Feb 22, 12:00-1:30PM
  • Thurs, Mar 28, 12:00-1:30PM
  • Thurs, Apr 25, 12:00-1:30PM
  • Thurs, May 23, 12:00-1:30PM
  • Thurs, June 13, 12:00-1:30PM

Accessibility
UCSF welcomes everyone, including people with disabilities to our events. To request a reasonable accommodation for this training series, please contact Cecile Puretz, Assistant Director, Disability Access and Inclusion, by emailing [email protected] or calling 415-806-7391 as soon as possible.

Application deadline

Please complete the Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program application form by Friday, February 9, 2024 to be considered for the 2024 cohort. Please be sure to include any experience and skills that could contribute to making UCSF events more accessible and inclusive of people with disabilities.

Learning goals

  • Understand and apply key concepts from the UCSF Toolkit for Planning Accessible Events to design and produce in-person, virtual, and hybrid events to be accessible for all audiences.
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of an Accessible Event Champion.
  • Learn to apply key concepts from the WCAG (Website Content Accessibility Guidelines) to all digital content, including websites, presentations, registration forms, emails, and marketing materials.
  • Know how to respond when a participant makes a request for a reasonable accommodation, and how to schedule accessibility vendors.
  • Leverage skills and knowledge learned to improve the climate for people with disabilities at UCSF.
  • Gain insight into personal perspectives from disabled accessibility consultants and community leaders.

Schedule At a Glance

Module 1: Foundations of accessible event planning

Module 2: Practical guidance for accessible event planning

Module 3: Effective communication and communication access for audiences with disabilities

Module 4: Digital accessibility: Accessible presentations, websites, and documents

Module 5: Building a community of practice & capstone project presentations

Facilitators (updates on guest presenters coming soon!)

Cecile Puretz
Cecile Puretz
Assistant Director, Disability Access and Inclusion
UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach