ADA & Inclusion Summit Resource Hub

Agenda

8:30 – 9:00 AM

Check-In & Vendor Hall Open

Start your day by checking in, grabbing materials, and connecting with our valued vendors in the Gym.

9:00 – 10:00 AM

Welcome & Opening Session

Location: Auxiliary Gym
Kick off the day with inspiration, key themes, and an overview of what’s ahead.

10:00 – 10:15 AM

Transition & Vendor Visit

Take time to connect with exhibitors in the Gym before sessions begin.

Session Block 1 | 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

1.) ADA 101 for Parks & Recreation Managers
Jessica Homer — Meeting Room 1

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been the law of the land for over 35 years and impacts the day-to-day work of parks and recreation professionals. The session is both a review and a deep dive into the building blocks of the ADA and how it influences the work we do and the services we provide.

2.) Fitness for All: Community-Based Strategies
Susan Potts & Ciara Scafide — Auxiliary Gym

Many traditional recreation classes are not designed with accessibility, adaptive options, or inclusive instruction in mind, causing participants with disabilities to feel out of place, unsupported, or overlooked. This sense of exclusion can discourage them from engaging in physical activity altogether, which negatively affects their health, confidence, and overall well-being. By recognizing and addressing these barriers, Recreation and Parks programs can create environments where individuals with disabilities feel valued, included, and motivated to participate in fitness activities.

3.) Access for All: Creating Accessible Microsoft Documents
Jessica Gause & Lisa Herman — Meeting Room 2

This session will cover accessibility testing software for Microsoft documents and will review Maryland’s Plain Language Initiative. Attendees will be provided with a checklist for ensuring Word and PowerPoint documents are accessible, and will learn how to use accessibility features, including headings and styles. The session will also briefly cover accessible forms.

4.) Access Starts Here: A Beginner’s Guide to Conducting ADA Surveys
Emily Lawrence & Wen Huang — Meeting Room 3

The session will cover how to conduct a survey, identify survey tools, and review the ADA Checklists for Existing Facilities from the ADA National Network, and the Maryland Accessibility Code. Attendees will learn how to identify common architectural barriers in external environments, including parking lots and entrances, and apply technical requirements from the Standards.

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM

Transition & Vendor Visit

Connect, explore, and prepare for the next learning block.

Session Block 2 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

1.) Starting Small, Including All: Planting the Seeds of Access and Inclusion
Sharon Norcio & Marybeth Dugan — Meeting Room 1

Developing an ADA Access Team ensures legal compliance, promotes equity and inclusion, and positions agencies to build a future Program Access Office that strengthens community trust and professional accountability. Learn how to shift compliance from a reactive task into a proactive, strategic initiative — empowering professionals and administrators to become champions of accessibility and inclusion.

2.) Outdoors for All: Powered by Partnerships
Amanda Espinoza — Auxiliary Gym

Hear from Montgomery Parks’ Program Access office as they share their experiences in creating and growing adaptive sports programs. Reflect on the challenges faced, successes celebrated, and the impact these programs have on participants. Learn how strong partnerships are essential to building and sustaining inclusive recreation opportunities, and leave this session inspired and equipped to apply these strategies in your own adaptive sports initiatives.

3.) No One Left Out: Creating Accessible Flyers & PDFs
Jessica Gause & Lisa Herman — Meeting Room 2

This session will cover accessible marketing best practices that also improve search engine optimization. Attendees will learn to use the Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker to scan PDF documents for WCAG compliance, as well as test documents for color contrast and reading order, correct hyperlinks, and tag the document. Includes a review of sample inaccessible and accessible flyers.

4.) Blueprints for Access: Step-by-Step Methods for Evaluating Physical Accessibility
Emily Lawrence & Wen Huang — Meeting Room 3

The session will cover real-world examples and provide step-by-step guidance to help attendees evaluate existing facilities. Attendees will learn how to identify common architectural barriers in hallways, restrooms, service counters, fitness centers, and play areas.

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Lunch & Vendor Networking

Enjoy lunch while visiting vendors in the Auxiliary Gym and Gym.

Session Block 3 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

1.) Universal Design for Learning: An Inclusion Toolkit
Jennene Blakely — Meeting Room 1

By offering universally designed recreation and sports programs, and offering accessible buildings, parks, playgrounds, and amenities, we ensure that all people in our communities have an equal opportunity to benefit. Universal design (UD) results in a reduction of public modification/accommodation requests, as it reduces barriers that exist preventing full participation. UD can help parks and recreation departments save time, money, and administrative support.

2.) From Warning to Removal: Building a Fair & Defensible Behavior Policy
Susan Potts & Ciara Scafide — Auxiliary Gym

Learn how to align your participant expectations and behavior strategies to create a consistent pathway from warning to program removal throughout the accommodation process. This session provides practical tools for recreation professionals to align the agency’s Code of Conduct through accountability and action.

3.) Accessibility Made Easy: Inclusive Practices for Digital Content
Jessica Gause & Lisa Herman — Meeting Room 2

This session will provide an overview of best practices and WCAG standards for making digital content accessible on the web, including sending e-newsletters, posting on social media, selecting 3rd party software, and creating accessible online sign-up forms. Website access will be reviewed, including a focus on accessibility widgets and events/program pages.

4.) Accessibility in Practice: Conduct Your First Accessibility Survey
Emily Lawrence & Wen Huang — Meeting Room 3

The session will provide hands-on experience in evaluating an existing facility and documenting findings effectively. Attendees will utilize checklists, take measurements, and apply the standards in small group exercises.

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Transition & Final Vendor Visits

Last chance to connect with vendors in the Gym!

Session Block 4 and Closing | 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM (Closing Remarks) - Concurrent Sessions

1.) Shine Brighter Together: Building Inclusive Events that Spark Belonging
Ashlyn Thompson — Meeting Room 1

Parks and recreation agencies play a critical role in creating inclusive environments where individuals of all abilities can participate in community activities. Want to make your events truly accessible? Learn how to break down barriers, boost participation, and create unforgettable experiences for all abilities! Join us to uncover the secrets behind events like Montgomery Parks' Shine Brighter Together. Going beyond identifying physical guidelines, learn how to take your programming to the next level of inclusivity, belonging, and fun!

2.) Crafting Communication: A Maker Workshop for Inclusive Recreation
Ashley Randall, Grace Shipps, Dashea Wyatt & Dominique Blye — Auxiliary Gym

Communication is a foundation of inclusion—but it doesn’t always require high-tech devices or expensive equipment. This interactive session explores low-tech communication tools that support individuals with disabilities in recreation and leisure settings. Participants will learn practical strategies such as using picture schedules, visual directions, and progress charts to improve communication, understanding, and participation. Session includes a “Maker Space” activity, where attendees will design and create their own communication boards or visual supports to take back and use in their programs.

3.) Accessibility in Action: Remediation Quiz Show
Jessica Gause & Lisa Herman — Meeting Room 2

This session will provide an opportunity for an interactive review of digital content and document accessibility. The session will review common trip-ups in flyer creation and quiz attendees on identifying non-compliance in documents, social media postings, and forms. Presenters will share resources for additional training.

4.) From Assessment to Action: Interpreting Survey Data
Emily Lawrence & Wen Huang — Meeting Room 3

The session will cover the process after conducting the survey and how to analyze the data to develop a plan. Attendees will identify barriers and potential solutions, prioritize items, develop a timeline, assign responsibilities, and consider available budgets.