Presenter: Name: Emily Jacobs

Title: Library Instructional Leader
Organization/School: Lincoln Public Schools

Program Description
Unlock the power of AI to create websites, digital documents, and slides that are not only ADA-compliant but also inclusive for all users. This session will introduce you to practical AI tools that simplify the process of meeting accessibility standards, making it faster, easier, and more effective to ensure your digital content is accessible to everyone.

Whether you’re new to ADA compliance or looking to refine your skills, this session will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies. You’ll learn how to use AI to generate accurate alt text for images, graphs, and charts, select color combinations that improve readability, and optimize formatting for websites, digital documents, and presentation slides.

AI tools can break down complex accessibility tasks into manageable steps, helping you identify issues and fix them quickly. You'll also explore how AI can assist in reviewing your content for accessibility, providing suggestions for layout adjustments, code improvements, and content modifications that align with ADA guidelines.

By the end of this session, you’ll be empowered with the knowledge and confidence to create digital spaces that not only meet ADA compliance requirements but also foster inclusivity for all users.

Learning Objectives
• Understand the fundamentals of ADA compliance: Gain a clear understanding of ADA standards for digital accessibility and their importance in creating digital content.

• Explore AI tools for accessibility: Identify and evaluate practical AI tools that assist with ADA compliance, including generating alt text, checking color contrast, and suggesting accessible formatting.

• Master alt text creation: Learn how to use AI to create descriptive and accurate alt text for images, ensuring visual content is accessible to users with visual impairments.

• Enhance readability with accessible design: Apply AI-assisted techniques to select color combinations and typography that improve readability for diverse users.

• Implement inclusive formatting: Develop skills to utilize AI for optimizing layouts and formatting to meet accessibility standards and improve user experience for everyone.

Program Outline
I. Introduction to ADA Compliance
• Overview of ADA Compliance
• Importance of accessibility in digital spaces
• Key ADA guidelines and their relevance for websites, documents, and slides
• Upcoming mandatory ADA compliance for websites and digital content in 2026
Why Librarians Play a Key Role
• Leading by example: empowering educators, leaders, and content creators in schools and districts

II. The Power of AI in ADA Compliance
• How AI Can Simplify the Process
• Introduction to AI tools that assist in accessibility tasks
• Streamlining tasks like generating alt text, checking color contrast, and optimizing formatting
Benefits of Using AI
• Breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps
• Reducing the anxiety around compliance
• Making accessibility faster, easier, and more effective

III. Practical Application: Hands-on with AI Tools
• Generating accurate alt text for images, graphs, and charts
• Exploring color contrast tools to ensure readability
• How AI can help format documents, slides, and websites for screen reader compatibility
Access Granted: AI Hacks for ADA-Friendly Digital Tools

Grade Level: Not grade specific

Session Strand: Design & Create

Presenter
Emily Jacobs

Emily Jacobs is a Library Instructional Leader for Lincoln Public Schools. She previously served as a school librarian at Pyrtle Elementary and as a Social Studies teacher at Southeast High School. Emily holds a Master’s degree in Secondary Education, along with endorsements in History/Political Science, School Library, and Curriculum Administration. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) and earned her graduate degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).

Originally from Omaha, NE, Emily now calls Lincoln, NE home. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her dog, Banjo.


Description: In this session, we’ll explore practical AI tools that make digital accessibility compliance easier, faster, and more effective. Whether you're new to ADA compliance or looking to level up your skills, this session will empower you to build digital spaces, slides and documents that welcome everyone. We will learn about alt text for images, color combinations for readability, formatting suggestions and more!

By attending this session, you'll gain knowledge of the core principles of ADA compliance and why accessibility is essential for websites and digital content. You’ll discover specific AI-powered tools and platforms that simplify the process of identifying and fixing accessibility issues, along with strategies to make your websites and digital materials more inclusive, such as using alt text and accessibility testing. You’ll leave ready to integrate accessibility into your workflow, ensuring your digital spaces are welcoming, engaging, and accessible to all.