Description:
Accessibility is often treated as a niche requirement, but designing with accessibility in mind benefits everyone, creating more intuitive, flexible, and inclusive systems for all users. In this talk, we will explore how universal design principles can be elevated through AI technologies to improve user experience and expand access, especially in employment. We will discuss real-world examples of how AI can break down barriers for people with disabilities, streamline accommodations, and support neurodiverse and underserved populations. Drawing from practical implementation in workforce development, this session will highlight strategies for integrating inclusive design and AI from the ground up to foster equity, innovation, and talent retention.
Agenda:
11:30 - Lunch and arrivals begin
~12:00 - Talk begins
~12:50 - Talk ends
1:00 - Depart
Speaker Bio:
Katherine Pettit is the Operating Platforms Coordinator at Peckham; a nonprofit organization focused on inclusive employment. With over a decade of experience in IT infrastructure, identity and access management, and cybersecurity, Katherine is committed to leveraging AI and universal design to create more accessible employment pathways, and is passionate about building systems that are secure, scalable, and inclusive. She leads initiatives focused on equitable tech implementation and is a member of Women in Cyber Security (WiCyS). Her work bridges the gap between innovation and inclusion, advocating for systems that serve everyone.
Sponsors:
Thank you to our facility host Capital Area Michigan Works! And our lunch sponsor, TechSmith!
