Basics of Inclusive Design for Online Education

Dr. Emily Moore serves as the Director of Research and Accessibility for the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she focuses on enhancing simulation design and accessibility for diverse learners. Her research explores how students engage with simulations and the impact on their learning experiences. Dr. Moore leads initiatives to develop multimodal simulations that incorporate alternative input methods, auditory descriptions, and sonification, making PhET simulations accessible to students with visual or mobility impairments. Her efforts have culminated in the creation of PhET's first simulations designed specifically for blind students. With over 30 publications in science education, educational technology, and accessibility, she also contributes to teacher professional development and collaborates with K-12 educators and higher education faculty to create effective classroom activities available on the PhET website.

Howard Kramer is an Accessibility Specialist at the University of Colorado Boulder, bringing over 25 years of experience in assistive technology, disability services, information systems, and accessible media. From 1997 to 2012, he worked with Disability Services at CU-Boulder, where he established the Assistive Technology Lab to support students with disabilities requiring specialized access. Mr. Kramer is the founder and coordinator of the Accessing Higher Ground Conference, which focuses on accessible media, web technologies, and assistive tools. He teaches courses on Universal Design and serves as the Principal Investigator for a grant project aimed at enhancing accessibility education within course curricula. He holds a master’s degree from CU-Boulder and is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of Denver.

Dr. Clayton Lewis is a Professor of Computer Science and a Fellow of the Institute of Cognitive Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he has been a faculty member since 1984. He has made significant contributions to the fields of human-computer interaction, cognitive disabilities, and educational technology. Dr. Lewis has served as Scientist in Residence for the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities and as a technology advisor for the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research at the U.S. Department of Education. He has received numerous accolades, including induction into the ACM SIGCHI Academy and the ACM SIGCHI Social Impact Award, recognizing his impactful work in technology for individuals with cognitive disabilities. Dr. Lewis is also a recipient of the University of Colorado President’s Teaching Scholar award, which honors teaching excellence. His research includes developing evaluation methods for user interface design, and he has authored several influential publications in the field. Additionally, he has held leadership roles in various academic conferences and actively mentors students and junior faculty in accessibility and human-computer interaction.