An item from the folks at the USDLA.

USDLA BRIEF Don’t miss tomorrow’s Free Friday Webinar When: Friday, April 4 1-2pm ET What: We welcome back the Missouri Distance Learning Association, MoDLA, and look forward to a webinar by chapter chair Emily W. Thompson, PhD, who will teach us about “Future-Proofing Your Online Course: Change Regulations & Best Practices.” About the webinar: “Change is happening fast in higher education,” Dr. Thompson knows. “How can you stay ready for the next big regulatory change? This session will engage participants on how to meet current federal regulations for online courses in terms of both faculty engagement with students (“Regular and Substantive Interaction”) and student engagement with the course (“Academic Attendance”) as well as how to prepare for future possible regulations.” About Emily: As the Director of Online Programs at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Dr. Thompson facilitates online programs and courses, including at-scale training and professional development. Often called upon to bridge the divide between IT and academia, she advocates and communicates across the institution during enterprise-wide learning management system (LMS) and academic technology adoptions. In prior roles, Thompson launched online degree programs and supported LMS migrations at both Arizona State University and the University of Georgia. Click here to register. When: Friday, April 11 1-2pm ET What: Interpreting ADA Title II Compliance: Implications for Institutions and How You Can Prepare Presenters: Joshua M. Gaul, Ed.D., AVP & Chief Digital Learning Officer, Edge and Laura M. Romeo, Ph.D., Lead Instructional Designer, Edge About the webinar: This session will tackle the coming challenges higher education institutions face in achieving compliance with the new ADA Title II standards. Firm deadlines are looming for institutions of all sizes to comply with new rules mandating that all digital content and mobile apps meet WCAG 2.1, Level AA standards. Join Edge’s accessibility experts as we explore the complexities of implementing these changes within strict timelines, the potential obstacles for institutions attempting to navigate these requirements, and how Edge’s expertise and guidance can streamline the path to compliance. You’ll gain valuable insights on preparing your institution’s digital accessibility strategy and understanding the key elements of this regulation. About the presenters: With over 15 years of experience in higher education, Josh specializes in digital transformation, instructional design, faculty development, and change management. As Chief Digital Learning Officer at Edge, he leverages his expertise in digital communications, emerging technologies, and alternative pedagogies to help institutions implement innovative teaching models—hyflex, online, and beyond—driving student success, program growth, and academic excellence. His doctoral work in change management and faculty development equips him to navigate the complexities of modern education, ensuring institutions thrive in an evolving digital landscape. Click here to register. When: Wednesday, April 16 1-2pm ET What: Join USDLA’s Public Policy Online Chat Navigating Change: Educators’ Perspectives on Federal Policies & Digital Learning As federal workforce reductions and funding freezes reshape the landscape of digital learning, educators and institutions face pressing questions. Together, we can explore innovative approaches to sustaining digital learning, securing funding, and supporting diverse student populations in a rapidly evolving policy environment. Join this solutions-focused online chat as an opportunity for educators, administrators, and policy advocates to share concerns, exchange ideas, and discuss actionable strategies in response to these challenges. Your voice matters—join us to shape and drive a forward-thinking conversation. Click here to register. When: Friday, April 25 1-2pm ET What: PDF Accessibility in Distance Learning: Strategies for Accessible Instructional Materials About the webinar: This presentation explores the critical impact of accessible instructional materials on learners with diverse needs. Participants will discover practical, proactive strategies to create and remediate PDF documents, ensuring equitable access in digital learning environments. The session will highlight remediation techniques, including but not limited to appropriate headings and alternative descriptions for images. Through demonstration and tried and tested examples, attendees will gain valuable insights into both proactive design principles and reactive remediation techniques. By the end of this session, attendees will be equipped with actionable tools to enhance PDF accessibility, fostering a more inclusive and effective learning experience for all students. About our presenter: Dr. Mounika Ragula serves as an Instructional Technology Designer at Le Moyne College in NY. She holds a PhD in Curriculum, Instruction, and Media Technology from Indiana State University. Dr. Ragula possesses substantial expertise in instructional design and instructional technology, particularly in the areas of online teaching, strategic integration of technological tools in teaching and course design, creation of accessible instructional content, and utilization of open educational resources. Click here to register. Have you registered for our 2025 National Conference: June 23-26 You won’t want to miss this: Our conference is located in the hotel right across the river from the famous St. Louis Arch. It’s also a block from the ballpark, where we’ll enjoy great seats at a game. The true value of being part of this event is the people you’ll meet, learn from, and form long-term connections with. This is a unique opportunity to learn from thought leaders in the field and try things out in hands-on workshops. Unlike many conferences that charge extra for workshops, ours includes them! Click here to view the program. More than ever, now is the time to embrace and build your powerful USDLA network. Click here to reserve your seat and hotel room today. Become a MEMBER of USDLA Become a SPONSOR of USDLA Higher Education Certification Professional Learning Certification Thank You to Our National Sponsors John Chen, Google, Emerald Publishing, Instructure, Verizon, InScribe, Pronto, Visla, Wolfvision, YellowDig, Atomic Jolt, CILC, Honorlock, BocaVox, Revolution Lightbox, My Learner Journey, Simple Syllabus, ATD-SLT, Tarrant Community College Connect Campus, Startup Wars, VDO360, Carolina Distance Learning, Edge, Harmonize, NSU Florida, BrightThinker,  SmartBrief, UF CJC Online, Sententia Gamification Thank you for supporting USDLA, our Sponsors, and our State Chapters. To subscribe to our Wednesday newsletter “USDLA Market Pulse Powered by SmartBrief” please click here. Valary Oleinik, President Shana Garrett, PhD, President-elect About United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) Formed in 1987, USDLA is a 501(c)3 non-profit association formed in 1987. Our weekly newsletters reach more than 100,000 people globally, including our members and sponsors working in industries including pre-K-12 education, homeschooling, higher education, continuing education, corporate, military, government, and telehealth. Our mission is to promote the development and application of distance learning for education, training, advocacy, and networking: USDLA.org Want to share this newsletter? View in browser. USDLA | www.usdla.org

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